Sump refugium DIY question

[ddelozier]

Get a good quality latex paint. Brush it on, let it dry completely, rinse it very well with strait up tap water, then rodi water and done. Done it before, once the paint dries it doesnt have much left to leach. A good flushing off gets rid of what little there is.

 

[lilj104]

Now that I am past the builidng part, can some of you guys help me with plumbing? I see some people use PVC other used flex tubing, which one is the best one to use and why? Also I notices some people re-route tubing back to the sump rather than letting all of it go back to the main tank? Why is that? Thanks again guys

 

[JHamilton0170]

I use schedule 40 PVC.. I can see the benefit to flex tubing, though. Especially for the overflow if you have a drilled tank with a bulkhead. Using rigid PVC to the bulkhead could put stress on the glass causing a crack.

Having a return line going back through the sump allows:

1. More flow through the sump.
2. Not having to restrict the output from your return pump. Without re-routing some water back through the sump, your return pump might overwhelm your overflow.