Refugium build

kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
I was preparing to build a DSB refugium sometime soon using a 20 gallon long tank when I noticed this huge crack in the back of the tank.
I will have to get another tank but I thought I would try and get build thread from some of our DIY gurus, (Corey, Shawn) and see what ya'll would do.
I am building this for my 56 gallon colunm so any thoughts on refuge size, chamber measurements or any other thoughts would be great.
So ......... lets GIT R DUN!!
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Did you just call me a doo doo? Oh, you said guru...my bad.
Will put some thoughts towards and and throw some ideas at ya tonight. Tank drill or external overflow? Any other equipment you're looking to add?
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469337
Did you just call me a doo doo? Oh, you said guru...my bad.
Will put some thoughts towards and and throw some ideas at ya tonight. Tank drill or external overflow? Any other equipment you're looking to add?
I have an overflow box so external. I have a skimmer and thought about a ATS, but my tank isn't that large so one or the other would be fine but not both. A light, LED strip over the macro.
Would like to maximize as much space as possible for the DSB.
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaslbob http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469356
You could use plastic storage containers instead of tanks.
my .02
Thank you beas...... I did think about that but would like to do the chambers.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Well you know what I would do...custom build that would allow me to utilize every inch of available space under the stand. I'd say forget about an ATS for now unless you're really motivated to build one and mess with it. I'm going to try it out for kicks but understand that it's probably a lot more work to mess with than a fuge with macro is.
Thinking a very small intake chamber that you can run a filter sock or mechanical on if you wish. The question is how small of a return chamber can you live with. Without a top off system you could end up being a slave to topping off your system every other day if you use the majority of the tank space on the fuge chamber. I suppose you could always cut out the intake chamber and just run a filter sock on your drain directly into the fuge.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
I would like the smaller intake and return as to gain more space for the DSB area. I am already a slave to topping off. will cross that bridge later. Under my stand is rather small so....... dunno, thought about doing a hanging ATO with an I.V. bag and tubing and hanging it over the fuge. I will have to draw up some ideas for that later.
You think a 30 gallon long would be to big?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469435
I would like the smaller intake and return as to gain more space for the DSB area. I am already a slave to topping off. will cross that bridge later. Under my stand is rather small so....... dunno, thought about doing a hanging ATO with an I.V. bag and tubing and hanging it over the fuge. I will have to draw up some ideas for that later.
You think a 30 gallon long would be to big?
Interesting idea the use of the I.V. bag. I think if it fits then it can never be too big. Can you squeeze one in there?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I did something years ago along the lines of the IV bag, but used the Kent AquaDoser instead......but that will work.......
The intake chamber wouldn't have to be large are at all....Basically large enough to squeeze the line inside of it.....As far as a filter sock though, might be tough finding something smaller than 4". Not sure, but through a little searching might be able to come up with something......
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469437
I did something years ago along the lines of the IV bag, but used the Kent AquaDoser instead......but that will work.......
The intake chamber wouldn't have to be large are at all....Basically large enough to squeeze the line inside of it.....As far as a filter sock though, might be tough finding something smaller than 4". Not sure, but through a little searching might be able to come up with something......
Yes, I believe I would have to measure the pump and line. Totally forgot about the line.
I can get I.V. bags from work, Used ones of course but typically we run normal saline with the antibiotics through a different vile
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469538
any more thoughts ya'll?
Sounds like you pretty much already know what you want, brother. When you decide on tank size let us know. I'd be happy to throw some sketches with measurements at ya. I'm kinda thinking I would maybe ditch the intake chamber, get a piece of acrylic that you can cut and fit across the top of the tank on one end, cut a hole in it to hold a filter sock and have that drop strait down into the fuge. That would help maximize fuge size so you could go with like 2/3rd of the tank fuge and 1/3rd return chamber perhaps. I suppose you could always run a HOB skimmer off of the one end if you ever wanted to. Or did you say you have a skimmer already for the tank?
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469666
Sounds like you pretty much already know what you want, brother. When you decide on tank size let us know. I'd be happy to throw some sketches with measurements at ya. I'm kinda thinking I would maybe ditch the intake chamber, get a piece of acrylic that you can cut and fit across the top of the tank on one end, cut a hole in it to hold a filter sock and have that drop strait down into the fuge. That would help maximize fuge size so you could go with like 2/3rd of the tank fuge and 1/3rd return chamber perhaps. I suppose you could always run a HOB skimmer off of the one end if you ever wanted to. Or did you say you have a skimmer already for the tank?
Yes, I have a HOB skimmer already and it would be perfect in the 1st chamber.
I am thinking of the same thing regarding the intake chamber.
Personally, Me thinks I need to junk this 56 and just go get the 580 gallon, fly you up here and make a week of it setting it up. Lol.... A week long PARTAE!!!!! oh ya, that would be perfect. Bring the whole family and we can make some fajitas, fish tacos, tequilla....... oh ya, droolin here.
One can dream!
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/391291/refugium-build#post_3469678
Yes, I have a HOB skimmer already and it would be perfect in the 1st chamber.
I am thinking of the same thing regarding the intake chamber.
Personally, Me thinks I need to junk this 56 and just go get the 580 gallon, fly you up here and make a week of it setting it up. Lol.... A week long PARTAE!!!!! oh ya, that would be perfect. Bring the whole family and we can make some fajitas, fish tacos, tequilla....... oh ya, droolin here.
One can dream!
I typically don't travel for anything less than a 1000g set up. Although, for some fajitas and tequila I'd sail the seven seas. Actually, that's a lie. I really don't drink tequila anymore (long story) but in short tequila makes my clothes fall off (usually not a good thing).
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
OOOOOoooohhhhhhh.................... ya, hey, clothes stay on my friend, sorry....... however, been there dun that, or so I'm told.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Back in the day had this condition after many shots of Ouzo. That will make you do things that you don't normally do!!
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Michelle would have an interesting stories about me and the tequilla. Not one of my better moments, but from what I do remember, I had a great time up until I lost my memory, which is probably a good thing. Lol
 
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