Adding Rubble to Fuge/Sump?

[TAXMAN]

Is it easy? Can I just use a new holesaw? And can I mess it up? I need to add another outlet for a pump back to my fix'n to be refugium. I have exp. in Lexan and I know it will crack pretty easy.

1 more question. This sump was actually a refugium on this Tank I just got. And It had bio balls. It is actually built like a big wet/dry. I know I dont want to run the Bio balls, but the inlets are on top of this sump and will be extremely loud with no media in that area. Can I place LR rubble in there and be safe? You know, without makeing a Nitrate factory?

Thanks all
Johnny

[PeeJ]

I would just get a big sheet of that white/blue floss stuff and cram it in there...switch it out every 4-5 days.

[matt]

The best way to get a big hole in acrylic, like for a bulkhead, is to use your hole saw to make a "template", just cut a hole in a piece of wood. Then use that to rout the hole, using a flushtrim bit. You attach the wood to the acrylic with double sided tape, drill a small pilot hole for your bit, then rout out the inside of the hole. Make sense? If you don't have any of this stuff, you can probably make a passable hole using a hole saw and drill press, set on the slowest speed, or a handheld variable spped drill. Just go slow and try not to heat up the acrylic. Cracking isn't as much of a problem as melting is, at least with extruded acrylic. The routing method produces a much cleaner hole, but if it's only for a bulkhead, you don't need it that clean.

[TAXMAN]

Thanks. May not be drilling now anyway. How about the LR rubble in the sump intake area? I want to do this mainly to keep the water noise down.

[PeeJ]

ive heard that the rubble can creat the same problem as the bio balls...trapping detritus and particles that break down. let me know too cause i wanted to get ride of my bio balls too

[TexasState]

I have a brand new Micron Floss Bag that you can try. $10 in the store. Free for you. You will have to wash it often to prevent nitrate build-up. You can bleach it weekly, or toss it into the washing machine.

[TAXMAN]

Thanks

Call me when you have time. I'll come to get it. I just need to add something to keep this water from falling so far. I know it's gonna be loud.

Also. 1 more question. This new Fuge that I am asking about adding rubble to, is going to have light at night of course. Wont it just act like the LR in the tank? Hopefully growing coralline and being helpfull?

[brewercm]

I changed out the bio balls in my wet/dry to rubble and keep it totally submerged and don't have any fitrate problems. Also if you are looking at using filter pad I buy the batting sheets from Wal-Marts craft area and it is much cheaper than the LFS floss they sell.