55 gal w/ internal refugium and overflow

[docstach]

So I currently have a 30 gal (36x12 footprint) setup with HOB skimmer and external (HOB-like) refugium. Everything seems to work well, but the refugium was a DIY that I wish I had done a touch differently which sits behind my aquarium. For some reason I get a kick out of the macro algae/pods in the refugium and I can not see them very good. In addition since it was a DIY out of acrylic, I am paranoid it is one day going to leak (although so far it has been perfect). That being said I decided to switch to a 55 gal (48 x12) and section off the last 12" as an "internal" refugium where I can grow macro algae and maybe get a small mantis. That way I can easily view it and there is no chance of it leaking (it is not possible for me to have a sump right now). Since I am on a tight budget, I have to try to reuse as much as possible. Basic plan.

The internal walls are going to be foam rock with the pump that moves water from the refugium to the main display hidden as much as possible.

 

[docstach]

Found a tank at a decent price but it needed a fair amount of cleanup.

 

[docstach]

The tank is Clean! Filled it up with vinegar water and let it sit for a few day. scraped what I could off, then laid the tank on one of its sides at a slight angle and used lip on the rim to hold a thin layer of 100% vinegar for a day or two. That allowed me to get the rest of the coraline off. I then rotated sides. Somewhat slow process, but considering it was taking place in our living room (really our only room as we have an open loft) not too bad. Thankfully we have pretty large windows I could keep open to keep down the smell. I have to admit my wife was very understanding throughout the whole process!

Pics are dark, but it was late last night when I finished. Tank looks pretty good except there is still a slight haze to the glass where the coraline was really thick. Looks like a glass that goes out of a bad dishwasher. Not sure what it is or how to get it off??

The tank is leak free, but a couple of places the silicon was thinned out so I taped up the lines and put a new coat on. Don't really think it will do much but at least it straightened everything up. Next up is to cover the "wood" trim and start my internal dividers.

 

[peppie]

Sure you can, why not??
It is like an All In One. Many reefers have a "Show Fuge"
Keep us posted on your build

 

[docstach]

I got the foam divider done. Not quite what I was planning, but I think it will work once I get everything in the tank. If anyone is interested few tips for the foam.... 1) go slow and in short individual bursts 2) it will expand more than you think (even after you think it is done expanding). 3) let it dry a little and then the foam is pretty easy to manipulate. You can bend/pull or smash (deflate) the foam to better suit what you want. 4) wear gloves

wall facing main part of tank with overflow in top right, MJ outlet in top left, and area for Korolia 750 in centerish.

Inside overflow area

back wall of refugium area (overflow area behind this)

refugium side of internal divider/wall with attached MJ and intake. Struggled to get it so the Mj was fairly hidden from front view, but could still be remove it if needed as I know it will fail as soon as the tank is set up....

closeup of overflow into refugium

 

[docstach]

couple of bad shots of it in the aquarium

 

[reeftanknewbie]

looking good. You could always use sand with epoxy to cover up the foam a bit and make it look more natural. would be cool to drill some holes in the foam now for frag plugs.

 

[docstach]

looking good. You could always use sand with epoxy to cover up the foam a bit and make it look more natural. would be cool to drill some holes in the foam now for frag plugs.

Thanks, I thought about the sand thing, but decided against it. I do plan on using multiple frag plugs to help cover it. My plan is to get the wall covered in some fast/easy growers. It will be seeded with multiple plugs of blue cloves and neon green pally. I also then have a couple little shelves for other frags.

 

[johnoates]

wow you may the tank look new again. How long did it take to get it so clean?

 

[docstach]

wow you may the tank look new again. How long did it take to get it so clean?

Thanks, it took about a week maybe a little less. The actual work part didn't take very long and was fairly easy. I would let each side soak in vinegar for 24-48hrs before I scraped the crap off with a razor blade. There is still some hazyness on the glass where the coraline was really thick (look like what happens when you put a glass in the dishwasher with bad detergent). Not sure how to get rid of that, probably need a fine polish (someone suggested a fine baking soda paste), but since it is mainly on the back glass I wasn't concerned.

 

[docstach]

I finally go everything moved over from the 30 gal. Still need to finish a couple of things. I want to tweak the rocks and need to fix the mangroves on acrylic rods. One more mangrove will go into the refugium section. Will be getting a new light very soon. Eventually want to get a GFO reactor and need to up the cleanup crew a little, but overall i think things went well. I know it is a little different, but I can't have a sump and wanted to see me refugium.

refugium

Overflows

side of refugium and back overflow area

 

[docstach]

Here is the other side view and my (soon to be) xenia meadow on the bottom.

 

[docstach]

Distance view and why I can't have a sump. Normally there are books on the shelves.

 

[fetta]

What type of foam did you use, and where did you get it. by the way i like the look of this very nice

 

[yellowRubi]

preety cool setup!

 

[docstach]

What type of foam did you use, and where did you get it. by the way i like the look of this very nice

I used the touch an foam brand landscape/waterfall foam. It is suppose to be UV resistant and fish safe. I also used some of the beckett's pond foam (green container) and did not like it at all. Even though I did not see it mentioned on the can, I think it was there high expansion foam and it would not stop growing!

Thanks for all the compliments!

 

[garcastle2]

That's also a clever way of using a 3' light on a 4' tank since it all looks on purpose as my wife would say. Then you can do whatever lighting you want on the fuge.

And a great convenience if you feed pods from the fuge to the main tank, or for grabbing some macro algae to feed rabbitfish, etc.

Nicely done.

 

[docstach]

That's also a clever way of using a 3' light on a 4' tank since it all looks on purpose as my wife would say. Then you can do whatever lighting you want on the fuge.

And a great convenience if you feed pods from the fuge to the main tank, or for grabbing some macro algae to feed rabbitfish, etc.

Nicely done.

That was ny thought on the pods. In fact i put a small hole (straw) in the wall just above the sand line near the rubble so hopefully some of the pods will make there way into the main display on there own. Also need yo get some differrnt macro to grow for looks and to feed the fish.

 

[Regf]

Very cool set up

 

[shovelrider]

Great job, good idea.