Idea on Refugium..Opinions Please..

[oceanjumper]

Very nice Eng50~
The automated top-oof is easy. I bought a Spectrapure Power Liquid Level Controller (PLLC) (www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p3.htm).
Got myself a container (Walmart), a small powerhead (or other little pump), do some cutting for the hoses in the container cover, make sure you place the PLLC at the right height...et voila
Just a tip: When you determine the optimal height of the PPLC (in your sump), make a loop so the pumped water falls back in the storage container. If you pump it directly into the sump you won't have much time to determine the level. Of ocurse you could also a light or so to see when the PLLC turns on & off.
Tip2: I siliconed the PLLC to the suction cups. Just to make sure it doesn't slide...

 

[eng50]

OJ,
Any problems at all with the spectrapure unit? I think thats a good price..$50 or so for the unit plus a container...If it is reliable!! Please let me know...

 

[oceanjumper]

Bill,
So far so good, but I haven't had that long of an experience with it either. Though, all in all you are looking at ~$80 for the top-off system. Some people also add kalkwasser in this tank. I haven't done it yet but do intend so. You see I have placed the pump in the freshwater container on som eeggcrate. This is so that the Ca precipitate can sink and the pump will not pump it into the main tank.
The refugium is almost ready. It was tougher than I thought to put in the bulkheads etc. (I used one too large bit for tone of the bulkheads... grrr). I ended up doing what Broomer suggested: T in the return line. I'll post some pics tomorrow. You'll see, I have made very efficient use of the space under the tank....
BTW, I saw you got sand (live?) and some macroalgae. Did you get it from the LFS?
Cheers, Marc

 

[eng50]

Marc,
I went on and ordered the controller you have, It looks like it will work out well. The LS I had in a seperate tank because I had ordered 25 lbs of GARF grunge, and only added 10 lbs to my display, as not to cause a cycle. It is awesome stuff, loaded with bugs and other life. The algea is a tiny amount that the LFS had he just gave me (grape caulerpa), another guy at a LFS is going to bring in some for me from his tank at home, several different kinds tomorrow!! Its nice that people in this hobby share so well!!!
Sorry to hear you were having troubles, but glad its coming along..keep up the good work...by the way, your website is really cool!!
I will probably not be adding Kalk as I chose to follow the GARF method and it is going quite well. I like to pick something and stick with it if all goes well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!
I have referenced thier site before, and not sure if its against the rules, (if it is...mods please feel free to delete the link and tell me so) they are non profit group dedicated to propagation of coral and the salt water hobby..www.garf.org ...worth a look. If you have any questions, or it gets deleted, email me or call anytime..804-339-2984..
Look forward to the pics of your setup!! Have fun...
Reguards,
Bill

 

[oceanjumper]

Hey Bill,
Finally! It's all up and running! And talking about problems.... I have seen it all: too large drilled hole for bulkhead, leaking bulkhead, wrong size T purchased, etc etc
Well, today I went to the LFS and got myself 12 lbs of LS (and 1 lbs LR). Hopefully I won't get another cycle, but if so, I feel I have enough LR to handle it.
For those that have been following this thread, I like to do a special thanks to Bill (Eng50), Broomer5 and Cap'n Pete. With the help, support and advise from these people I got myself a fine refuge.... And yes Broomer... I did T the return line...
I attached a picture of my new setup. If anyone is interested in the design and specifics, please feel free to email me (oceanjumper@h*tmail.com - I put the * to avoid getting spammed by email-address-search bots. If you haven't figured it out, replace the * with an o)
Cheers, Marc

 

[eng50]

Very very nice!! Well worth the trouble IMO, much better than anything you could buy ;0) As far as a cycle, you should be fine, looks like it is well established and good size.
Thank you as well, I really appreciate the help and great communication from you and everyone here as well. Broomer has been very helpful to me as well (Thanks Broomer)!! It really makes this a fun, educational, and rewarding hobby.
Marc, I may need your help when the controller gets here...if you don't mind
Keep up the good work!!

 

[oceanjumper]

No problem at all Bill. It will be my pleasure. Email me when you need help urgently (though I think you'll be fine. There is not much to it). Just fyi, as of tomorrow I'll be back at work. The last two weeks I was at home recovering from a knee surgery (nothing serious, just a bad sports accident). Man, did I kill the time with browsing on this board! I learned a lot!
Cheers, Marc

 

[eng50]

Wow, hope all is well? Kind of interesting, I had shoulder surgery on 10/24, and will be out of work for 3 months!! I fell off the firetruck!! Stupid accident, and now I'm paying for it...Like you said though, this board makes good se of the time
Be well!!
Bill

 

[oceanjumper]

Ha ha ~ We have more in common than just our hobby! Yeah, a Dutchman shouldn't indulge himself with hockey. We should just stick to the speed skating. Much safer!
Have a good recovery!

 

[danrw84]

What do you think about my idea here....
anyway..., i have a 29 gal reef. I want to set up a refugium. I can get the hang on CPR for 83 bucks, I ordered it, but now im wondering if i should do something differnt.
What would be involved for me to put a little 3 gallon glass tank which i already have, under my reef tank, in the cabient...and use that as a refugium, or sump then use that hang on on the sump?. that way the 24/7 13 watt PC light wont shine into my tank, and into my room when its bed time!
what would i need to do? I have no overflows,
how much are they? DOnt really know what to do.
Which would you recomend i do? In the 3 gal i wanted to put like a 1 inch sand bed, unless more is better, and some LR rubble, and some calerpa and other algaes. (if i use it for a refug, if a sump then no, and use the hang on refug), if i did the sump id want the 5 gallon
How would i do a steady DOWNFLOW into the 5 gallon, then BACK up to the 29 gallon. I want pods and such to grow as well. (in refug i guess)
so, with no overflow, what would i do. How much would i have to spend?
Thanks in advance. let me know, or email me at danrw84@cox.net
anyone else with info please, let me have it!

 

[oceanjumper]

Dan, I replied in your post "broomer...."

 

[broomer5]

Looking really good guys - you're making me itch to get under the tank and start fiddling around with equipment again LOL
I wish I had the room under the stand for a 15 high sump, but could not make it fit. I went the Rubbermaid route - it works - but it does look sorta cheesy in comparsion to you guys fine work.
Oh well - it holds water.
Nice job(s) !

 

[noobie]

Broomer,
When you talked about the overflow capacity being maxed out or not it made me think I have no idea what my overflow's gph will be. I plan on having a hole drilled in my 55 gal. for the overflow to fit a 1" PVC bulkhead. I think it will be around 700gph.
Do you know what the gph flow rate is on a 1" drain?

 

[broomer5]

Hi Chris,
I've only used external overflows so far - and their flowrates are given in the product specs.
I've heard that 700 gph ( give or take ) is pretty common for most 1" drainlines, depending on how the drainline is installed, positioned and vented.
I've got somewhere around 1300 gph running down two 1" drains - but again - these are U tube external overflows - each rated for 700.
Maybe some "drilled" tank owners can offer you some direct experience help here.

 

[noobie]

Broomer
Thanks for the quick response!
I bet your right, it's around 700 gph but I am going to post a new thread to see if anyone knows for certain.
Thanks again!

 

[marinerock]

BROOMER....JUST A SUGGESTION...
A CHECK VALVE IN BETWEEN THE FIRST BARBED FITTING CLOSER TO THE PUMP AND THE TEE WOULD BE SAFER IN CASE
OF A POWER FAILURE....
ALL YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IS CUT THE CLEAR TUBING
THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE PUMP IN HALF AND PUT A CHECK VALVE
THERE....JUST A SUGGESTION....
REGARDS...
MARINEROCK

 

[broomer5]

Thanks for the suggestion