Refugium

[stacy]

I'm trying to setup a refugium under my tank for copepods, and calupera. I was going to buy an overflow, but then I priced a couple. There must be an easy way to make one. These things aren't that cheap. Also the return needs to be pumped about 5 ft. high. Any suggestions on a return pump.

 

[joerdie]

the reserch i have done on the subject has told me that a refugium can only handle about 100gph so your pump would only need to pump around 100gph at five feet of head. my pump is a via aqua 480 which pumps about 95gph at four feet of head. about the overflow boxes though i havent found a way to make them but i do know a site that carries them (no offence swf but you guys dont carry them, I checked) My e-mail is driscolljoseph@yahoo.com if you mail me we can talk about where i found one for a lot cheaper!

 

[joerdie]

okay its the second time ive written this reply. anyhoo, to answer your questions in order. i dont think you could make one unless your good at bending acrylic (which im not). They are expensive but if you dig (a lot) you can find them much much cheaper. (to anyone at swf.com reading this. Overflow boxes would be a nice addition to your inventory but i mean no offence...i love you guys!!) To answer your second question. the reaserch ive done suggests that refuguims should only carry about 100gph so you just need a pump that can handle 100gph at 5ft. Easy right? except some people say that you shoulnt use a pump to push water back to the tank because the impellor grinds up and kills the pods and other benificial stuff in the water therby making part of the reaion for using a refugium pointless. (sorry for the length just some food for thought)

 

[joerdie]

thats so wierd it deleted my first post so i wrote it again and then it posted the first post? sorry everyone!!

 

[new]

you dont really need an overflow box. you can use pvc pipe with a cap on it and drill holes in it until you have the flow you need, just make sure the holes are small enough that none of the critters can get sucked up or stuck. down side to this is it can take some messing around to get the flow right. also you would need to drill a hole in the pipe itself just below the water surface so that should the pump lose power you wont flood the room, this hole will break the vacumn of the water flow once the water level drops below it.

 

[joerdie]

new? what are you talking about? you can run an overflow with just pvc? it sounds like it could work but what would be the gph? how could you get a substantial amount of water running through something like that?

 

[new]

that is one of the problems with it, drilling enough holes of the right size to get the flow needed, also need an extra hole in the pipe in case of pump problems so as not to flood the area with saltwater. it is an option but i just bought a used overflow from lfs that came off a 180gl and am going to use it on my 75gl with a ball valve to reduce the flow. had i not got a used one i would have just used a pipe like i said, payed $20 for the overflow, it was worth saving the headaches.