refugium dilemna

wickjr · 01-24-2006, 12:22 AM

I am looking at adding a refugium for my 46 gallon reef. Only problem is, I have very little space, since I put the tank in a corner of the room. I have a stand with a one door cabinet that will hold a ten gallon tank at most. My set up does not have an overflow at this time. I use a HOT skimmer and high water flow with LR as my main filtration, with a HOT Magnum I use for phosphate remover and carbon. I am wanting to use the refugium for macro algae to help remove nitrates and possibly as a pod farm. Any suggestions on how to get water to and fro without dumping the tank on my floor? The thought of two equal pumps scares me a little. If one quits...

I saw a post referring to a good clamp on light set up in another thread that looks like it will work out well for me.

Jerome · 01-24-2006, 12:44 AM

If I understand your question correctly (you don't have a sump?) I would just put an acrylic divider in the sump under the tank and buy a overflow return
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_....asp?ast=&key= Then put a return tank in the sump/refugium and pump the water back. I think this is easiest way if you try duel pumps it will flood for sure you'll never get them to pump equall esp. with the head of the one pumping up.

Woodstock · 01-24-2006, 07:21 AM

Definately do not go the 2 pump route!

Like jerome suggested, get an skimmer box to mount on your tank; then the water is gravity fed to the sump where the water will be pumped back into the main tank via a return pump. Do not fill your sump full of water! In the event of a power outage, there will be extra water filling the sump do to the siphoning effect. You'll need to save plenty of room for that extra water to fall in the sump.
For example, I have a constant 8" of water in my sump while it is running. When I shut the pumps off for a water change or when the power goes out, the water in the overflow, hoses, etc. falls back down into the sump which raises it an additional 5".

I use THIS 19W FUGE LIGHT. It works great.

XBwlr · 01-24-2006, 09:08 AM

I've got a LifeReef overflow.
When I go to do a water change, or when I feed and shut off the pump and then restart it, the overflow has started everytime.

Here's a couple of links for ya...
"Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sumps - Part I"
"How Does A Sump Work"

HTH

wickjr · 01-24-2006, 11:19 PM

Maybe I wrote off a sump a bit soon. I was thinking I didn't really have space, but it seems it won't need to be as large as first thought. Does anyone use a hang on siphon type overflow box. Ever had a problem with the siphon quitting and the tank overflowing?
OK, so if I understand right, the gph of the return pump is what will determine the water flow from overflow to sump.Right? So my pump size will be determined by how much water I want to turn over? Also, if I use a 10 gallon sump for my 46 gallon tank, is that sufficient? Does the sump need to be sectioned, or can I just block off a small corner section for the inflow and put sand, LR, and macro algae in the rest?
And I thought I had this tank planned out soooo well.

FishTales · 01-25-2006, 05:03 PM

Just get a twenty gallon tank w/ baffles on the inlet & a stand ( eggcrate )for the pump to sit on with a return line . the twin overflows are good ( if 1 gets blocked up the other hole should keep up ) you could restrict the flow on them with a ball valve .
Try ebay , soak this in vinegar & it will clean up like new !
http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquarium-over-fl...QQcmdZViewItem

P.S. I have never had a problem losing siphon with this style overflow

01-24-2006, 12:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
wickjr Ricordea Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amelia, Ohio Posts: 183 View Gallery Karma Komment	refugium dilemna I am looking at adding a refugium for my 46 gallon reef. Only problem is, I have very little space, since I put the tank in a corner of the room. I have a stand with a one door cabinet that will hold a ten gallon tank at most. My set up does not have an overflow at this time. I use a HOT skimmer and high water flow with LR as my main filtration, with a HOT Magnum I use for phosphate remover and carbon. I am wanting to use the refugium for macro algae to help remove nitrates and possibly as a pod farm. Any suggestions on how to get water to and fro without dumping the tank on my floor? The thought of two equal pumps scares me a little. If one quits... I saw a post referring to a good clamp on light set up in another thread that looks like it will work out well for me. __________________ GO IRISH!!!_________________________________________ -46 gallon bowfront AGA, 80 pounds LR, 40 pounds live sand, Corallife superskimmer, 234 watt T-5 HO: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Neon Green Nepthea, Blue Ricordia, Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Turbo, Astrea, Strombus, Nerite Snails, Scarlet, Blue leg and Zebra Hermits

01-24-2006, 12:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jerome Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF bay area Posts: 221 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: refugium dilemna If I understand your question correctly (you don't have a sump?) I would just put an acrylic divider in the sump under the tank and buy a overflow return http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_....asp?ast=&key= Then put a return tank in the sump/refugium and pump the water back. I think this is easiest way if you try duel pumps it will flood for sure you'll never get them to pump equall esp. with the head of the one pumping up. __________________ The world only goes round by misunderstanding.

01-24-2006, 07:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,155 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: refugium dilemna Definately do not go the 2 pump route! Like jerome suggested, get an skimmer box to mount on your tank; then the water is gravity fed to the sump where the water will be pumped back into the main tank via a return pump. Do not fill your sump full of water! In the event of a power outage, there will be extra water filling the sump do to the siphoning effect. You'll need to save plenty of room for that extra water to fall in the sump. For example, I have a constant 8" of water in my sump while it is running. When I shut the pumps off for a water change or when the power goes out, the water in the overflow, hoses, etc. falls back down into the sump which raises it an additional 5". I use THIS 19W FUGE LIGHT. It works great. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

01-24-2006, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
XBwlr Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingston, Ohio Posts: 1,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: refugium dilemna I've got a LifeReef overflow. When I go to do a water change, or when I feed and shut off the pump and then restart it, the overflow has started everytime. Here's a couple of links for ya... "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sumps - Part I" "How Does A Sump Work" HTH __________________ ~Scott

01-24-2006, 11:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
wickjr Ricordea Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amelia, Ohio Posts: 183 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: refugium dilemna Maybe I wrote off a sump a bit soon. I was thinking I didn't really have space, but it seems it won't need to be as large as first thought. Does anyone use a hang on siphon type overflow box. Ever had a problem with the siphon quitting and the tank overflowing? OK, so if I understand right, the gph of the return pump is what will determine the water flow from overflow to sump.Right? So my pump size will be determined by how much water I want to turn over? Also, if I use a 10 gallon sump for my 46 gallon tank, is that sufficient? Does the sump need to be sectioned, or can I just block off a small corner section for the inflow and put sand, LR, and macro algae in the rest? And I thought I had this tank planned out soooo well. __________________ GO IRISH!!!_________________________________________ -46 gallon bowfront AGA, 80 pounds LR, 40 pounds live sand, Corallife superskimmer, 234 watt T-5 HO: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Neon Green Nepthea, Blue Ricordia, Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Turbo, Astrea, Strombus, Nerite Snails, Scarlet, Blue leg and Zebra Hermits

01-25-2006, 05:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
FishTales Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pomfret , Connecticut Posts: 8 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: refugium dilemna Just get a twenty gallon tank w/ baffles on the inlet & a stand ( eggcrate )for the pump to sit on with a return line . the twin overflows are good ( if 1 gets blocked up the other hole should keep up ) you could restrict the flow on them with a ball valve . Try ebay , soak this in vinegar & it will clean up like new ! http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquarium-over-fl...QQcmdZViewItem P.S. I have never had a problem losing siphon with this style overflow

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