Please help!

[SaltSolutions1]

I have a 10 gallon tank that I made into a refugium

I set it up next to my 45 gallon reef tank 2" higher so I can use a u-tube for flow from the 10g to the 45

I also have a rio 400 pumping water from the 45g to the 10

instead of using that little flex tube to get the flow going thru the u-tube (45 to the 10) , I drilled a tiny hole in the very top and stuck a valve in it so i have the ability to open and close the valve, crazy gelled it sealed and attached a small piece of flex tubing so I could suck air out when i need to. then just close the valve.

Problem is that I am very scared the flow make get too much air one day and stop flowing when i am not around. Disaster to my wood floors.

Any help from anyone that can advise of a better solution. I would like to keep the 10 gallon refugium where it is. I plan on sticking a sea horse in it so I would like it to be visible. Also, dont have a drilled tank so I would be looking at spending another 100.00 on a pump to get it from my floor up and over the lip of my 45g.

Advise is greatly appreciated!

 

[Sk8r]

Mmm. It can be a problem: if you don't get an answer here soon, repost in the DIY forum, and I know they can help you out. Clever folk with pipes and hoses over there.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Are you using just the U-tube or an overflow box with an U-tube?

If you are using the overflow box, I suggest getting an new U-tube and not drilling a hole in it. Drilling the whole took away all the benefits of a U-tube overflow box.

 

[marioensf]

Have you thought of having it level to the tank and have a small return pump in the small tank with a U tube to feed the water into the small tank? Gravity should do the trick to feed the water through the U tube.
You should have no issues of overflowing since the water that comes out of the tank would be the same volume as the water going in, just like a HOB fuge. If the pump fails, water in both tanks should be at the same level only the small tank having no flow. You may control the flow of the pump with a valve, most small pumps should come with it.

Hope it helps

 

[SaltSolutions1]

its just a u tube....no overflow box. having both tanks level makes no difference....the water line needs to be close enoughto each other and they even out.....both same water level

 

[Dave413]

You can hook up the flex tube that you put on the valve to a small powerhead that has a venturi on it and leave the valve open. You will have to check for clogs in it occasionally.

 

[Gold Stripe]

I have my 29 gal refugium above my 75 display so that it gravity feeds as well. I just put dual float switches (2nd switch is just a back up) in the refugium so that if the gravity feed stops working and the refugium level gets too high the power to the pump feeding it will be cut off before it overflows.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

Gold Stripe.......that is exactly what I would like to do.

WHich float switches do you recommend and where can I get them.

So the pump feeding my 10 gallon would be plugged into this float sswithc somehow?

never heard of a float switch before....please explain and thanks for your feedback

 

[Gold Stripe]

I built mine DIY with parts off ebay. (2 float switches, a relay and a regular household extension cord). You can also buy then premaid. Just for example is customaquatic.com or ebay.