rubbermaid refugium users - ???

[overanalyzer]

OK I am not happy with the looks of my rubbermaid refugium. It bows out even after I have added supprot and I do not get hte warm fuzzy that it will not just explode all over my basement .... what do you folks do who have rubbermaid refugiums??? I have put two braces across the top so it bows out in the middle .... should I double line it?? make some sort of girdle/brace to go around the middle??
Also - any pictures woudl be helpful .... I am @ wits end - plus I swallowed like 3 gallosn of SW syphioning the thing out yesterday ..... argh - just not very happy with it .....

 

[susies]

Maybe you could get one or two more rubbermaid containers that are the same size and stack them within each other, giving extra support and a little insurance against it cracking.
I've been holding a substantial amount of liverock in a rubbermaid for about 3 months now. It has powerheads, a heater and a big hang on filter dangling from it, it's bowing like crazy, but has remained intact! I have heard though, over long term use, the CLEAR containers do tend to get brittle.
Good luck with it!

 

[the claw]

I just built mine this weekend with a clear container. No bowing yet, but thanks for the warning.

 

[overanalyzer]

wow - and apparently I can't type worth a darn either.
I did not use the clear container I used a solid rubber maid one - but thinking of switching and double lining one .....
anyone??

 

[mebigloser]

Overanalyzer,
My fuge has been setup since Dec. 02, it bows. I have not had any problems so far. Here is the picture.

 

[overanalyzer]

WOW - and no problems? thati s very word!!

 

[killafins]

Originally posted by overanalyzer
WOW - and no problems? thati s very word!!
that is very word??? haha... i'm sorry i just had to point that out to you that u said that...

 

[mebigloser]

updated pictures.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by killafins
that is very word??? haha... i'm sorry i just had to point that out to you that u said that...
ugh head all over the place tonight - can't even think straight.
I think I am going to double up some and re-drill my refugium and add it back under my tank and go from there. Wife is not very comfortable with the whole - bowing issue .....

 

[mebigloser]

one more, I show no signs of any weaking in the container.

 

[bang guy]

A brace out of 2"X4" around the middle takes about 10 minutes to make and will give you peace of mind.

 

[javatech]

go get one of the 50 gal rubbermaid water tanks for $50 at one of the Tractor Supply stores

 

[toddpolish]

do a search, I think that it's broomer that has the metal supports...

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by javatech
go get one of the 50 gal rubbermaid water tanks for $50 at one of the Tractor Supply stores

HEck would love to go with one of hte 300 gallon ones but sadly the wife will not let me!

 

[broomer5]

I like Bang Guy's wooden support idea.
I may do something like that someday.
Here's what I did to support the upper rim of the vessel.

 

[broomer5]

stainless steel all-thread rod, 2 metal plates on either side of rim, washers and nuts. Rods are covered in 3/8" vinyl tubing, and must be above the normal water level line for obvious reasons

 

[broomer5]

Since this pic - I've raised the fuge lighting up, suspended it and removed the lid of the rubbermaid.

 

[overanalyzer]

I am planning on doing something similar with PVC pipes around the outside and double line the refugium to make my wife happy!

 

[toddpolish]

while we're on the subject...
do you guys trim down the growth in your refugiums when it looks like it's totally filled??

 

[overanalyzer]

OK folks -between my youngest's stomache flu bouts last night I re-did my refugium!! I like it a WHOLE LOT better this way.
Same rubbermade container - used a short version as an outer shell. Then I made a PVC frame to go around it .... will get some pcitures tonight - my digital's batteries were dead so they should be fully charged! whoo hoo!!