New Refugium Build
- Thread starter chatyak
- Start date
I use the oatey PVC Cement and purple primer in all my plumbing work (just house remodels until I can get my tank up lol). No leaks in the nearly 15 years (man I can't believe its been that long already.... I'm only 25 lol) or so I have been using it. Anyways it is in the plumbing department at HD or Lowes. Goodluck 
chatyak
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14304032#post14304032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chort55
I use the oatey PVC Cement and purple primer in all my plumbing work (just house remodels until I can get my tank up lol). No leaks in the nearly 15 years (man I can't believe its been that long already.... I'm only 25 lol) or so I have been using it. Anyways it is in the plumbing department at HD or Lowes. Goodluck
Do I need to make sure it is aquarium safe? Or are they all ok? Just run it around the connecting areas I assume? Nothing too fancy
As for primer, I use the purple stuff, but they do make a clear which is perfectly acceptable... and best to use if your worried about spills, drips or accidents in the area your working in. There should be no fear of chemicals in either the primer or the pvc glue as it is used on many reefs, and I've been using it for about 15 years in plumbing houses lol
HD and Lowes both usually carry a package w/ the primer and the pvc cement together... a little cheaper then buying them individually too
.... don't worry about getting the big containers unless you plan on doing alot more plumbing then your tank. I've plumbed an entire house w/ less then half of one of the big ones lol.
HD and Lowes both usually carry a package w/ the primer and the pvc cement together... a little cheaper then buying them individually too
.... don't worry about getting the big containers unless you plan on doing alot more plumbing then your tank. I've plumbed an entire house w/ less then half of one of the big ones lol.
chatyak
New member
Good news and bad news. I got the PVC and oatey's purple primer and pvc cement.
Bad news is... the glass will cost $600 bucks!!!!
That quote is for the following dimensions.
Sump Frame
68†long x 13†wide x 1/2†thick (Bottom)
68†long x 20†wide(height) x 1/2†thick (Front/Back)
20†long(height) x 12†wide x 1/2†thick (Left/Right)
Intake
18â€Âlong(height) x 10†wide x 1/4†thick (Rubble Wall)
18â€Âlong(height) x 4†wide x 1/4†thick (Rubble Wall)
Refugium / Return
18â€Âlong(height) x 11 7/8†wide x 1/4†thick (Middle Baffles)
17â€Âlong(height) x 11 7/8†wide x 1/4†thick (Outer Baffles)
------------------------------------------------------------
If I was to use 1/4" glass for the entire sump.. it would only be around $280.
My questions are:
1) Can I get away with 1/4" glass for the sump?
2) What do I use to apply the oatey stuff to the pvc?
Bad news is... the glass will cost $600 bucks!!!!
That quote is for the following dimensions.
Sump Frame
68†long x 13†wide x 1/2†thick (Bottom)
68†long x 20†wide(height) x 1/2†thick (Front/Back)
20†long(height) x 12†wide x 1/2†thick (Left/Right)
Intake
18â€Âlong(height) x 10†wide x 1/4†thick (Rubble Wall)
18â€Âlong(height) x 4†wide x 1/4†thick (Rubble Wall)
Refugium / Return
18â€Âlong(height) x 11 7/8†wide x 1/4†thick (Middle Baffles)
17â€Âlong(height) x 11 7/8†wide x 1/4†thick (Outer Baffles)
------------------------------------------------------------
If I was to use 1/4" glass for the entire sump.. it would only be around $280.
My questions are:
1) Can I get away with 1/4" glass for the sump?
2) What do I use to apply the oatey stuff to the pvc?
I agree w/ bbehring. Or check the For Sale threads or even craigslist and try to find a tank... I paid $75 for my 75 lol
As for the applicator for the primer and cement it should be under the screw on caps... just a little brush thats built in and easy to use. The primer is pretty runny (and nothing removes it.... yes, NOTHING) so be careful if you are using the purple stuff especially if you are doing it in an area you like the flooring in lol.
As for the applicator for the primer and cement it should be under the screw on caps... just a little brush thats built in and easy to use. The primer is pretty runny (and nothing removes it.... yes, NOTHING) so be careful if you are using the purple stuff especially if you are doing it in an area you like the flooring in lol.
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,
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,
chatyak
New member
Hmm...
I have a 55 gallon now, but the whole point of doing the new sump was to have a bigger sump. If I go any bigger it will be too wide to fit under my stand.
The width of the sump can only be 13"... and the length with a maximum of 68".
There is no tank that has those dimensions. So it would be kind of pointless to buy another 55gallon tank since I have one? I can't think of any other solutions.
1) Buy a pre-made tank
2) Build the new sump to spec with 1/4" glass instead.
3) Do nothing
I have a 55 gallon now, but the whole point of doing the new sump was to have a bigger sump. If I go any bigger it will be too wide to fit under my stand.
The width of the sump can only be 13"... and the length with a maximum of 68".
There is no tank that has those dimensions. So it would be kind of pointless to buy another 55gallon tank since I have one? I can't think of any other solutions.
1) Buy a pre-made tank
2) Build the new sump to spec with 1/4" glass instead.
3) Do nothing
