want to add a refugium

[michaelalan]

Hello gang. I am looking for a little education and suggestions in the area of refugium/sumps.

I have a 60 gal non drilled acrylic tank and want to add a refugium/sump.

Some features of the refugium that I would like are…

-An overflow to skim the surface of the water.
-Cheato and Xenia to remove nitrates and add pods for Mandarin .
-Sump compartment for existing skimmer to remove unsightly micro bubbles.
-A third compartment for an instant quarantine area. The idea that I could turn a knob and fill a small area with idenitical tank water. Eliminates acclimation for current fishes or provides establish tank water that new fish will need to acclimate to. I guess I would need two knobs. One for a drip method and the other for large volume transfer.

What are my options?
What are the pros and cons of going drilled.
Pros and cons of not drilling.

Should I DIY or buy ready made. (I am always looking to save money.)

I look forward to your suggestions and comments.

Michael

 

[drinkhomebrew]

sounds kind of like what I am in the process of setting up. I will just have to section. Refuge and sump. Sump will have a ball valve to turn off incoming water to use as a quarantine area. Also used to mix new water.

 

[michaelalan]

In post #1, "third compartment" should read "extra compartment".

 

[Mighty Dread]

I would not drill - way to much hassle!
Just get an overflow box and let that feed your sump/fuge.
You can look around for "already made" sump/fuges and see if any fit your space requirements. But if you want some type of special section to fill and drain on its own you will probably have to DYI.
I just bought a 30 gallon long glass aquarium. I then went to home depot and got a sheet on acrylic and some silicone and a hand tool to score/cut the sheet of acrylic. One the right side is where the input is and where the skimmer is running. Then the water goes through the baffles to the large middle section which I have chaeto and live rock in - water moves through more baffles and then goes to the last section which houses the pump, heater and a filter.
Look in the photo gallery here on Reef Central and under "equipment" there is a whole section of just sump pictures - it is very usefull for DYI ideas!

Have fun

 

[michaelalan]

Thanks MD. I will look there for the pictures.

HomeBrew. Keep me informed about your progress. I'd like to see how it is turning out.

 

[pjf]

Pump Determines Drilling

Pump Determines Drilling

If your return pump is submersible, then you do not have to drill. Simply place the pump in your return compartment (3rd compartment). If your return pump is not submersible then you must drill to install a bulkhead.

There are advantages in drilling for an external pump:
• Many of the best pumps, such as Iwaki pumps, are not submersible.
• External pumps do not add as much heat to the water.
• Refugiums with external pumps and external skimmers are easier to clean.
• If you have an external pump and a large return compartment, you can use that compartment to mix salt and perform water changes. My return compartment is two-thirds of my refugium (20 gallons out of 30 gallons). To perform water changes, I simply turn off the pump, siphon the return compartment, mix salt water in the compartment, heat the water, and turn on the pump again.
• It is easier to cover the refugium if you have an external pump and skimmer. You can then mount lights and fans on the cover without pipes in the way.

In the end, your choice depends on how much room is left in your cabinet when the refugium tank is installed. If there is room left in the cabinet, use an external pump and skimmer to maximize the wet volume in your refugium. If not, then buy a submersible pump and an in-sump skimmer.