Refugium

[roadrunner]

I once wanted to build a refugium for my tank so that nothing would hang off the back...i was going to use a ten gallon tank as a ref. for my 26 gallon tank. the only problum is that the tank doesn't fit underneth my tank...if i place it on the ground next to my tank, is that ok? the water would travel almost 3 feet...maybe more...
What type of pump would be needed to allow the water to move to my ref. also what type of pump would be needed to returm the water back up to my tank?
Any and all suggestions...thanks...
...o yea...it would have to be as quiet as possible becasue my tank and everything is two feet from my bed...

 

[birdy]

A lot of people build a small stand to put the refugium next to the main tank. You want it a little lower than the display but it doesn't have to be on the ground.
You will need a hang on back overflow to get the water from your main tank to the refugium, you cannot use two pumps (recipe for disaster). Lifereef overflows are very nice overflows. For a return pump mag drive 3 would probably be good.

 

[roadrunner]

if it was place on the ground or slightly off...would that be ok? and if i do this should i break it into the three sections...the ref. that is?

 

[birdy]

there is no problem with it being on the floor, except you will need a bigger pump to get the water up to the tank. more like a Mag 5 or 7.
I would only seperate one section for the return pump so it doesn't suck up sand or algae.

 

[roadrunner]

if i only seperate the 1 section...will the skimmer be ok with the sand and algae and whatever else i put in there?

 

[birdy]

I just make the section for your pump big enough to fit the skimmer also.
three baffles would be the best but you are really limited on space with a 10gallon aquarium.

 

[roadrunner]

If i have an Aqua C Remora hang on the back skimmer...do i still need to create the three sections to the fuge....will the skimmer still be effective if its in the same section as the return pump? I know that in a 10 g fuge its tight...so i just want to make sure that i do this right.