Refugium ideas?

[robertpower3]

I am re-doing the filtration on my eighty gallon. I am switching to the tide pool system 2 sump with an s.o.s.. Deciding whether to use a kent nautilus skimmer or a twenty-nine gallon acrylic refugium. Any suggestions? What kind of light would I need for the refug. and what would be the best way to connect it to my sump? I was thinking of just setting the two side by side, drilling them, putting large bulkheads, and connecting it with a small piece of pvc. Also, I have an extra power jet pond pump could I use this to pump my water back up from the sump? I don't know what the gph rating is but I believe it is 948. I have no idea what the head pressure ratings are. It is actually a waterfall or sprinkler and I just took off all the attachments. Open to any comments or suggestions.

[Henry]

for lights, I would use a 65watt lights of america fixture from HD,
If you can connect the sump and 'fuge w/the bulkhead that would be good. you could supply the 'fuge with water by diverting water from the return from the S.O.S. and regulate it w/a gate valve and have everything go back to tank via your main return pump. Hope this all makes sense and helps.

Henry

[fishtankrob]

I have seen lots of posts on this lights of americe fixture, any idea what hd has them, a part number???

thanks

[Henry]

Here is some home depot info:


Lights of America $29.97
SKU: #343177
Model: #9266
65 Watt Bronze Fluorex Fluorescent Outdoor Flood Light

[matt]

I would second the advice about splitting off your drain line to the refugium and regulating with a ball or gate valve (I used a ball valve because I can't find acrylic gate valves locally) but would disagree on the lights of america fixture. I have one, and it's fine, but HOT. Also, many people have had these things fry; my first one lasted 1 day (HD took it back) They're tempting because 1. you can buy them locally and 2. they're CHEAP... but on my nano fuge I have a CSL smartlite which adds basically no heat and has faithfully worked 24/7 for over a year. Much better, but costs more. For a 29 gal fuge, if its roughly the same shape as a standard 29 glass aquarium, get a 55 Wpc set-up.

Matt

[robertpower3]

If I do go with the refugium and follow the advice how to I connect the refugium to the sump. I have an in sump pump. The water would flow into the refugium but not back into the sump the reason I wanted to connect it with pvc is so I could avoid splitting the overflow hose. I just planned to put in a small powerhead inside the refugium to have a little flow. So I guess my question is if I split the hose how do return it to the sump? overflow on the refugiumto the sump?

[Henry]

Here is a quick drawing of what I'm talking about. Hope this helps.

http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_albumName=Henry&id=sump&op=modload &name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

[robertpower3]

Henry
Thank you for the help. I'm guessing that the drawing is of a bulk head with pvc fittings back into the sump. thanks for the pic it really helped. I've read that you should still skim with the refugium but just not as much. Any opinions? If I go with the refugium, I was planning on skimming until it was established. Just a month or so. is this a good idea? Every time I take my skimmer off I have a lot of nuciance algae. In case I decide to go with a skimmer has any one used or know anyone who uses the kent nautilus skimmer.

[fishtankrob]

i use the kent skimmer and i have good results. i have also started a refrugium that is not established yet, going almost 18 hours now.

[TexasState]

If you don't have room in your sump for a skimmer, you can get a hang on the back of the tank Skimmer instead.