project questions?

[nm reef]

Currently I have a 55 reef that has a 30 gal refugium in the room directly behind it. This was added a few months ago and to date I am extremely pleased. The refugium is fed with a hagen 802 PH and is gravity return to the main tank via 2 3/4 inch lines.
What I am wanting to do is to add a second refugium identical to the first(plenty of room to do it)...also I want to set up the returns on a spray bar system to potentially remove the existing PH's in the display(at least some of them)...my plan is to use 1/2 inch pvc to build the spray bars(with holes at random angels to circulate)..one refugium will go to left side the other to the right side...will approximately 100 gal per hour be enough to mess with spray bars?...I think I'll have a spray bar near the top and bottom hidden behind the LR(any suggestions on location of spray bars?...I've also considered using flexiable tubing(spa type) to return the refugiums to various locations in the display(any ideas or comments?)
basically I want ideas or suggestions on returns from 2 seperate refugiums to the display that would be approximately 100 gal each...gravity return...and that would provide a good random circulation in the display.....ideas are rolling around in my head and I just can't decide which way to set this type return system up...I could increase the return flow rate if needed but would prefer to keep the refugiums to around 100 gal per hour each.....some of you experiencied folks out there wanna help me out on the developement of this idea.......like I mentioned there is lots of room to add the second refugium and the one already in place has been a success so far.....my goal in adding the second is to increase filtration ability/increase volume/hopefully provide random circulation.....any input????

 

[mr . salty]

I think that the spray bars would be a great idea...Even at 100(or less)gph, they should work great.The only thing I see maybe being a problem is doing one as a lower spraybar.I wonder if trying to run it all the way to the bottom of the tank would cause some back pressure problems?????For my lower spraybar,I use a small Mini-jet 404 pump at each end of it.They are very small,and are almost compleatly hidden under the rock...Maybe try this for the lower,and use both the ref returns for surface aggitation.I also have my upper bar holes drilled at three angles.Some spray directly across the surface,some at a 45deg down,and some almost straight down...THIS IS A GOOD IDEA YOU'VE GOT.Let me know how it works out...

 

[nm reef]

thxs Mr. Salty....will do......you are probably right about the lower spray bars... I am thinking about using a small PH to feed the lower bars....possibly a maxi-jet and I may increase the flow rates to around 150 gal per hour on each refugium...still developing the over all plan but I will be glad to let you know how it all comes together...by the way I do have a pic of the refugium that is now working...
http://photos.yahoo.com/bdwalley_jr
[ October 28, 2001: Message edited by: NM reef ]

 

[sonny]

Sounds to me that you are talking about a lot of work to accomplish what one powersweep power head could do. I don't really think you need any more volume of refugium. I think you'd be better off to get a bigger display tank! For instance, a 75, 90, or 120 gallon. Then, you could use your 55 for the refugium if you wanted to.
Sonny

 

[nm reef]

Yeah Sonny I do plan to develope a minimum 110 gal system soon...this one is my first ever reef and to tell the truth I'm still learning...this 55 will be up for a long time I hope and I'm just trying to make it as good as it can be...my idea is to increase volume and filtering via the refugiums...also I want to develope a sort of closed loop system with the spray bars to eventually eliminate the display PH's totally...if I can generate enough current via refugiums well then....no ph's in the display at all...currently there are several in the display that I'd like to remove...and if this system works I will adapt it to any future system I develope...plus I have the room to develope along this line due to the indoor work shop directly behind my current system....matter of fact I could easily go with 5-6 times the sump/refugium capicity I now have and plumb it all thru the wall..........so the option is there if its feasable to do this sort of thing........

 

[sonny]

The problem with having two separate tanks as refugiums or sumps is that when you have more than one pump going to the tank from two separate boxes or tanks, you could easily pump one dry. In other words, since the pump regulates the speed, then you have to match it with the overflow, which is split to the two tanks. There are a couple of ways to regulate that: One, to have the refugiums linked together, meaning you have to drill the tanks on a side, and hook them together with a tube of some kind. The other would be to have one flow through the other, but that method will probably make the flow rate too fast, and you would not need another pump, which I think is what you are looking for. It may be easier to add a spraybar to one of the powerheads you have, and hide the powerhead in the rocks. Certainly it will be good to have more refugium volume, but it may be difficult to regulate them.
Sonny