Refugium help

[hobbes]

I want to build a refugium using a 20 gallon tank that I already have. I would also like to get some of the ugly equipment out from in back of my tank and was wondering if I could stick it in the refugium.
Things that I would like to stick in there if possible:
1. Heater
2. Emporer filter
3. protein skimmer that has been modified to be a hang on back ( can I just hang it on the back of the 20 gallon refugium?)
I was also wondering what the minimum light amount is for plant growth (on a 20 gallon tank)?
How high should I fill the water in the 20 gallon tank?
Is it okay if put a glass cover over the tank to prevent such a high water loss?
How much live sand should I put in there?
Also, one of the biggest things that scares me is the fact that we seem to have a lot of power outages in my neighborhood. How do I keep it from overflowing when the power goes out?
I really would like to set this up. Any advice I could get from y'all would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pwnag3!!]

well lets start off..
a refugium is a great addition to any tank.
I would not reccomend placing a filter or protein skimmer in there. Its supposed to be a safe house for critters.
you can put a glass cover on it but that also increase the temp.
Most people use some type of full spectrum bulb for plant growth... VHO or PC would be optimal but you can find halogen grow lighs at home depot.
to keep it from overflowing you need to make sure either the water level is low enough to keep the tank spillage in without spilling over the edge... or use a check valve (these can get clogged)
and just put enough live sand in to cover he bottom about an inch

 

[birdy]

First what is your main purpose for the refugium, a place to grow macroalgae as a nutrient export. Or are you wanting a place to mainly breed pods?
Another option is to split the 20gal, use part of it as a sump area for your skimmer (I don't think you need the emperor filter) and heaters, then have a place for the refugium, then a spot for the return pump.
To prevent overflows you need to have a HOB overflow on your display tank this will get your tank water from the tank to the refugium below the tank, then a pump will pump the water back up to the tank. In case of a power outage you will need the water level in the sump to be low enough to allow water in the tank to drop down until the HOB overflow breaks the siphon.
I hope that made sense, if not ask away.

 

[hobbes]

I will not put my filter in there. As of right now I have an emporer, fluval 304, and my protein skimmer. Can I just take off the emporer or would that be a mistake?
Birdy, I guess my two main purposes of building this is to have a bigger pod production but also I would like to get some of the equipment off the back of my tank.
As far as putting a divider in the tank, can I get the materials at home depot or lowe's? What kind of sealant should I use? How high should the divider go in tank?
I will ask my Lfs for the HOB overflow. Is that an expensive item?

 

[essop3]

take a look at this design. It gives you a place to put your equipment and a place for a fuge.

 

[hobbes]

Thanks essop3.
What are the bubble baffles for?
On the "split to fuge", can that pipe be submerged any to cut down on the noise? Will that cause a problem?
Where did you get the material to make this?

 

[birdy]

That is exactly how my sump was set up, I was having major bubble issues though so I moved the fuge to the middle and the return pump is on the far end.
YOu can use your 20gallon tank, at home depot or Lowes they sell sheets of plexiglass that you can use as dividers, then you fasten them in using Aquarium silicone sealant (also at home depot or lowes).

 

[pontius]

for the outflow and return pipes, do you just use regular pvc pipe? what kind of nozzle do you use for the return? what do you put on the outflow end, a sponge or something?

 

[birdy]

Yes, regular pvc pipe, for the return, I use lockline, I don't put anything on the outflow end.