Refuguim Sizes

frewl · 01-10-2007, 05:42 AM

I was needing some input. I'm looking to make my own refuguim out of acrylic and I was wondering the measurements on some of the HOB fuges and how thick the acrylic is on them. I'm trying to figure out how thick I need and if I can go a little lighter then what they recommend to make acrylic tanks with. I'm particularly interested in the height and the thickness of the acrylic and help would be appreciated.

Billy

boozeman · 01-10-2007, 08:46 AM

thickness will depend on size of fuge to prevent bowing.
theres lots of sump/fuge building info here http://www.melevsreef.com

lcstorc · 01-10-2007, 10:36 AM

As big as you can is the rule. More water volume gives you more flexibility.

Dragon Wrasse · 01-10-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

As big as you can is the rule. More water volume gives you more flexibility.

Agreed....the bigger the better.....

axlroh · 01-15-2007, 04:55 AM

I modeled my HOB refugium on the CPR Aquafuge (I'm only talking HOB here, not in sump, etc), Roughly, 18"L X 12"H X 4"W.

CPR makes a 12"L, 18"L and 24"L, H & W are the same.

I used 3/16" acrylic from Home Depot. If you want to see a nice CPR "clone" page, check this out:

http://www.mylittlereef.com/RefugiumSetup.htm

DaveK · 01-15-2007, 08:40 AM

I used a CPR Aquafuge for awhile. This was on my 125 gal reef. I found it to be too small to really be effective for that size tank. It might be good on something like a 30 or 40 gal tank.

The other, much more serious problem I had with the CPR Aquafuge is that it's basically a piece of junk. The center brace in mine broke loose, and caused it to bow, and it might have broken then. It was a tear down to replace the center brace with something much heavier. After that, the small black mountings broke loose, causing the thing to land on the floor, breaking the PVC pipe that fed it, and taking a big chunk of plastic out of my sump. Needless to say the product has been "retired" from use on my system.

axlroh · 01-15-2007, 04:34 PM

I had both problems you mentioned. I had to insert a double width center brace to keep it from bowing. Instead of mountings, I opted for a small diy "stand" to hold it up. The stand (really a shelf) sits on top of a 4" ledge that is a part of my main tank stand.

This ~3gal HOB refugium only serves as a food source (copepods, amphipods). I get a kick out of the fish darting after the little critters that spew out of the HOB refugium. The macro algae and DSB in my 30G sump/refugium does the real work.

Dentoid · 01-15-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boozeman

thickness will depend on size of fuge to prevent bowing.
theres lots of sump/fuge building info here http://www.melevsreef.com

Great site Booze!

DaveK · 01-15-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axlroh

I had both problems you mentioned. ...

I have no doubt that your project will be a lot better than CPR's. This is one product of CPRs that could have been excellent, but using by acrylic that is too thin, and incorrectly glued, lead to multiple failures on my system.

reefarchitect54 · 01-16-2007, 01:10 PM

I was able to buy 1/4" thick 12" x 12" plastic squares from US Plastics when i was building my sump/Refuge. I used a 20 Gallon long tank and inserted the plastic squares where ever I wanded to make compartments or baffels. Worked out great. I would recomend building an all in one unit to be housed under your tank. It would hide all your equiptment and make for a really nice display tank.

reefarchitect54 · 01-16-2007, 01:12 PM

It was a lot more affordable that way as well!! Good Luck and please let us know what you do!!

01-10-2007, 05:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
frewl Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Refuguim Sizes I was needing some input. I'm looking to make my own refuguim out of acrylic and I was wondering the measurements on some of the HOB fuges and how thick the acrylic is on them. I'm trying to figure out how thick I need and if I can go a little lighter then what they recommend to make acrylic tanks with. I'm particularly interested in the height and the thickness of the acrylic and help would be appreciated. Billy

01-10-2007, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Refuguim Sizes thickness will depend on size of fuge to prevent bowing. theres lots of sump/fuge building info here http://www.melevsreef.com __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

01-10-2007, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Refuguim Sizes As big as you can is the rule. More water volume gives you more flexibility. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-15-2007, 04:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
axlroh Bryozoan Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Refuguim Sizes I modeled my HOB refugium on the CPR Aquafuge (I'm only talking HOB here, not in sump, etc), Roughly, 18"L X 12"H X 4"W. CPR makes a 12"L, 18"L and 24"L, H & W are the same. I used 3/16" acrylic from Home Depot. If you want to see a nice CPR "clone" page, check this out: http://www.mylittlereef.com/RefugiumSetup.htm

01-15-2007, 08:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 653 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Refuguim Sizes I used a CPR Aquafuge for awhile. This was on my 125 gal reef. I found it to be too small to really be effective for that size tank. It might be good on something like a 30 or 40 gal tank. The other, much more serious problem I had with the CPR Aquafuge is that it's basically a piece of junk. The center brace in mine broke loose, and caused it to bow, and it might have broken then. It was a tear down to replace the center brace with something much heavier. After that, the small black mountings broke loose, causing the thing to land on the floor, breaking the PVC pipe that fed it, and taking a big chunk of plastic out of my sump. Needless to say the product has been "retired" from use on my system.

01-15-2007, 04:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
axlroh Bryozoan Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Refuguim Sizes I had both problems you mentioned. I had to insert a double width center brace to keep it from bowing. Instead of mountings, I opted for a small diy "stand" to hold it up. The stand (really a shelf) sits on top of a 4" ledge that is a part of my main tank stand. This ~3gal HOB refugium only serves as a food source (copepods, amphipods). I get a kick out of the fish darting after the little critters that spew out of the HOB refugium. The macro algae and DSB in my 30G sump/refugium does the real work.

01-16-2007, 01:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
reefarchitect54 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 278 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Refuguim Sizes I was able to buy 1/4" thick 12" x 12" plastic squares from US Plastics when i was building my sump/Refuge. I used a 20 Gallon long tank and inserted the plastic squares where ever I wanded to make compartments or baffels. Worked out great. I would recomend building an all in one unit to be housed under your tank. It would hide all your equiptment and make for a really nice display tank.

01-16-2007, 01:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
reefarchitect54 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 278 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Refuguim Sizes It was a lot more affordable that way as well!! Good Luck and please let us know what you do!!

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