New Refugium Build

[chatyak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14310809#post14310809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jawfish1
Not to cause trouble or anything, I actually disagree with your design. At least if you plan on pushing a lot of flow through that system. As most folks know, refugiums shouldn't have a significant amount of flow, as compared to a standard sump, that is handling the skimmer and other filtration (sans refuge). It is actually better to setup your refugium like this:

Intake | Return | Refugium
& Skimmer | |

Then, on your return coming from the tank, split the flow so that about 20% goes through the refugium side and the other 80% just goes through the basic filtering (skimmer, etc). I have valves setup so I can actually adjust the flow, depending on how the system responds. You may actually end up doing 40% through the refugium, etc. It just depends. Regardless, with this setup you don't have to worry about high flow volume causing problems for your refugium. I've seen some folks with so much flow, the refugium get blasted and isn't really doing much.

In any case, just thought I'd throw in what I found out through my own experience (i started off with a refugium exactly like the one you designed).

Cheers,

That's a possibility too. The one I have now is like this.

Intake/Skimmer | Return | Refuge

It splits off from the overflow and part of it is redirected to the fuge.

 

[chatyak]

The problem is buying a pre-made tank and getting it in the car. All I have is a Neon so anything past a 55 gallon will not fit lol

I'd have to rent a uHaul

 

[chatyak]

I'm going to take a few pictures of the fish room so you guys can help with ideas.

I'm still pondering making the sump out of 1/4" glass.

Would it hold at my specs?

 

[chort55]

Honestly with the size your talking, water volume, and possible flow 1/4" will be replaced shortly after it blows out... especially if not braced. Just the other day (maybe even a week or two ago) I saw on here somewhere a guy had just a section of his refuge that was 1/4" w/ 1500gph crack a big lovely hole in it.... it was much smaller then what your looking at, and lucky for him was inside not an outside wall on it. I wouldn't use less then 1/2" over that span personally, just not worth the risk to me.

You could do the bigger premade tank and set it on the floor somewhere else, not really any different then a basement sump . HD used to rent trucks for like $20 for a few hours don't know if they do still or not but might be cheaper then Uhaul lol

 

[chatyak]

Hmmm... maybe I will just stick to the sump I have now... just redo the plumbing from vinyl tubing to pvc and fix up the refugium part of it. Could always put the money towards more coral...

 

[chort55]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14311787#post14311787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chatyak
Hmmm... maybe I will just stick to the sump I have now... just redo the plumbing from vinyl tubing to pvc and fix up the refugium part of it. Could always put the money towards more coral...

Now your thinkin' Might also want to consider Spa Flex.... its flexible PVC

 

[chatyak]

Oh no... I was testing my new batch of saltwater and had an accident. I was shaking the test tube and part of the water in the test tube flew out into my batch of new saltwater.

Will this affect that water at all? It was the nutrafin test for alkalinity. So whatever chemical is in that dripper tube..

 

[chort55]

I honestly have no idea. Try posting that question in the reef chemistry forum they should know there

 

[chatyak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14312472#post14312472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chort55
I honestly have no idea. Try posting that question in the reef chemistry forum they should know there

Thanks. I posted it over there. We'll see what it says

On a side note, I can't seem to get the flow right in my tank. No matter where I put the powerheads my frogspawn coral seems to be moving too much. It also doesn't look like other frogspawn I've seen. Each little tentacle is huge and fat and not skinny like in pictures.

Will post video soon.

I'm thinking of buying a bigger pump and just making a T in the return pvc... so I can direct flow that way.

What do you think?

 

[chatyak]

Also, how long should I let the pvc dry with the primer and cement before using.

24 hours?