Rubbermaid "Mop Bucket" Refugium. Possible?

[fishtails]

I'm thinking of making a refugium for my tank. I'm low on budget right now so my idea is kind of ghetto, but will it work.
I plan on using a rubbermaid mop bucket as a refugium. It would be either behind or under the stand.
To bring water form the tank it would be gravity "fed" and to return it to the tank I'd use a pump. What would be the best to use? It would be about 3-4 ft. from the top of the water.
To seperate the the sand and calupera from getting sucked into the pump I would either buy a tank divider or use plastic or plexi-glass.
I plan on having a 3-4" SB and using a 13 watt Bookworm PC.
Could I use the flexible or "stiff" tubing to return and bring the water to the tank? If not, what would you recommend?
What would/will I need to do to prevent water from flooding or spilling if power goes out or etc...?
I know this is a weird design to do a fuge, but it's cheap and easy to do IMO.
If a bucket isn't what you'd do would you recommend a 5 gallon bucket? I only have a little space behing my tank to do.
BTW, I tried a 10 gallon. It wouldn't fit under my stand and I'd have to build a stand to put it behind the tank. Tank also has a built in overflow.
I could also use a critter keeper cage or a 5 gallon or similar size tank/bucket.
All tips and information is grealty appreciated.

 

[krunk]

Rubbermaid makes a container that is
7.01 x 10.601 x 15.807 in
http://www.rubbermaid.com/hpd/consum...irdMenuIndex=4
That would be a good fuge for your tank.

 

[dreeves]

To prevent flooding...you have to devise or otherwise obtain an overflow system which will maintain the siphon in the event power is out.

 

[iceburger]

not only will it work, its easy and cheap to do...i didnt use a rubbermaid for my refugium but i did use a big one for my sump and have a ten gallon refugium inside the sump, i recommend magdrive pumps they're very good, is the tank drilled? or do you have an overflow?...

 

[fishtails]

The tank does have a built in overflow.
I think I will go with a 5 gallon rubbermaid bucket.
I was planning on using a Magdrive pump. Which would you recommend?

 

[dreeves]

To lift the water from under the cabinet to the tank, probably a Mag 7 would work. If not I wouldnt think more the the 9.5.

 

[krunk]

well it all depends on how much gph your overflow is rated, and how far thepump too where the water gets returned.

 

[rane]

iceburger
Can you show me a pic of your sump please I am looking to get a few Ideas as I am thinking of redoing mine

 

[dburr]

Mag 7 and mag 9.5 I think would be way to much for a 5 gallon bucket if you want to grow macro in it. Maybe a mag 5, probably smaller.
You need a slow flow. Also, as mentioned above, what rate is the overflow?

 

[fishtails]

Thanks all for the input,
BUT I'm getting a Aquafuge 12" Model. Any info. on these?