Refugium, is it needed?

[xpdition03]

Hello,
I've been doing a lot of research on this site as well as my LFS. My LFS runs a refugium under one of their display tanks and wanted to know if it's really neccesary?
I understand the concept of the refugium, growing copods, lowering nitrates, etc... but don't know where to start or even what goes inside it.
I did a search for DIY REFUGIUM on here but there's a few ideas but no exact instrutions on how to build your own.
I really don't care how it looks because it'll be hiding under my tank anyways so a plastic bin, 10 gallon tank is ok with me. I just don't wanna dish out a lot of cash for it since it'll be underneath my tank anyways. I just wanna make sure it stops flowing if there's a power failure and it doesn't overflow on my carpet.
I seen on on the ever famous eb@! about a do-it-yourself refugium but didn't know if it pertains to my setup because it says it sits on top of the tank???
Any help would be great!!!
Thanks

 

[sw65galma]

It's easy...low flow to and from it from your display...like a sump.
And all you need is sand or Fuge mud...some lr and some macro with lights..Done.

 

[ophiura]

Do you already have a sump, wet dry, or similar under the tank?

 

[xpdition03]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Do you already have a sump, wet dry, or similar under the tank?
No, my wet/dry is built in the back of the tank.

 

[ophiura]

Oh, so is it like an acrylic all in one tank? Could be interesting to rig that up....but I am sure it can be done.

 

[xpdition03]

Originally Posted by sw65galma
It's easy...low flow to and from it from your display...like a sump.
And all you need is sand or Fuge mud...some lr and some macro with lights..Done.
Sounds simple enough but if I'm using a regular 10 gallon tank, should I put dividers or something that will separate the mud, lr, sand from the water that's going back into the tank? Something similiar to a wet/dry filter? how bout plants, should I put those in there too?
Does anyone have pics of a 10 Gallon refugium that I can try to mimick?

 

[xpdition03]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Oh, so is it like an acrylic all in one tank? Could be interesting to rig that up....but I am sure it can be done.
yeah, it's exactly like a all in one. A few years back it was nice but not a lot of room for the fishes.
I'm thinking, I can use a powerhead to flow down to the 10 Gallon refugium and use another powerhead in the refugium to flow the water back into the display tank.
I can put the powerhead that's inside my display tank upside down and close to the top of the water so in case if power cuts off, it won't continue to flow to my refugium and casue it to fill??
Sound ok?
I'm just in the research stage of this new project, gathering up as much info as I can. Maybe after I go to vacation, I'll start it up. Anyways, my tank is still in cycle.

 

[fuax]

I know some ppl will scoff but I made a really simple one out of a 26x16x16 rubbermaid container. I have a small power head pumping water into the bottom of the refuge from my wet/dry and then a 3/4 bulkhead w/pvc pipe so that it just overflows back into the wet/dry sump near the tanks return pump. a piece of glass to cover 3/4 of the top of the refuge and a 9w 9" pc 6700k light seems to work well for me.

 

[sw65galma]

Originally Posted by xpdition03
yeah, it's exactly like a all in one. A few years back it was nice but not a lot of room for the fishes.
I'm thinking, I can use a powerhead to flow down to the 10 Gallon refugium and use another powerhead in the refugium to flow the water back into the display tank.
I can put the powerhead that's inside my display tank upside down and close to the top of the water so in case if power cuts off, it won't continue to flow to my refugium and casue it to fill??
Sound ok?
I'm just in the research stage of this new project, gathering up as much info as I can. Maybe after I go to vacation, I'll start it up. Anyways, my tank is still in cycle.

Best way is get a Hang on Back Overflow and just one powerhead back up to the display.
The way you were saying is a recipe for disaster as no 2 powerhead will pump the same rate..especially when ones pumping down and the other has to go up.
Any fluctations = mess all over your floor.

 

[saltyfishy]

Im planing on making one some time this week I will post a pic for you.

 

[sammiefish]

xpidition
you CAN NOT use a PH to pump water out of the main tank to a sump and another to pump it back to the tank. You have to use an overflow to get the water to the sump and a pump or PH to pump it back up to the tank. you would never get the flow of both pumps exactly the same and end up either draining your tank or draining your sump. A hang on overflow can be purchased for about $50.
Oh, but now I see thats what sw65gal just said

 

[sw65galma]

Originally Posted by sammiefish
xpidition
you CAN NOT use a PH to pump water out of the main tank to a sump and another to pump it back to the tank. You have to use an overflow to get the water to the sump and a pump or PH to pump it back up to the tank. you would never get the flow of both pumps exactly the same and end up either draining your tank or draining your sump. A hang on overflow can be purchased for about $50.
Oh, but now I see thats what sw65gal just said

Ehh great minds think alike i guess

 

[xpdition03]

Originally Posted by Saltyfishy
Im planing on making one some time this week I will post a pic for you.
Sweet! I appreciate it

 

[xpdition03]

Originally Posted by sw65galma
Ehh great minds think alike i guess

Thanks to both of you... I was just brainstroming... :thinking:

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by Fuax
I know some ppl will scoff but I made a really simple one out of a 26x16x16 rubbermaid container. I have a small power head pumping water into the bottom of the refuge from my wet/dry and then a 3/4 bulkhead w/pvc pipe so that it just overflows back into the wet/dry sump near the tanks return pump. a piece of glass to cover 3/4 of the top of the refuge and a 9w 9" pc 6700k light seems to work well for me.

Heck, that sounds fully functional, and probably didn't need a home loan to do it either! Sounds great!

 

[jjlittle]

I built my own just make sure you use a over flow drain into the sump and you can over flow it.Put nice deeper sand bed some macro of choice in and ok lighting you wil be all set.

 

[fuax]

Thanks for that Ophiura here are a few pics of my creation hehehhe!
I know it looks bare but I am just getting started filling it.

 

[xpdition03]

That's sweet!!!!... I think I can do that.
My only problem is my plexiglass has a sealed top and I don't think I can put a overflow. That's why I was thinking of the powerhead idea.

 

[fuax]

I learned the hard way a long time ago that no 2 power heads will pump the same esp. with one pumping with gravity and one against it.

 

[saltyfishy]

Cant you use a 300gph powerhead to pump it out of the tank and then a 800gph pump to pump it from fuge to main tank?