DIY 10 Gal Refugium?

[Bill S]

OK, now that I'm a Charter Member... 8)

I have a 55 gal tank without a refugium. I'm THINKING about putting 10 gallon tank behind it (that's all that will fit...) and building a refugium out of it. I'd put my heater in it, my BakPak on it, and my Emperor filter (?) on it. I have plenty of lights from my old setup. I can build a stand to put it at the same height as the 55 - it would be well hidden.

Anyone done anything like this before or have any plans?

TIA
Bill

[Alamo]

I wouldnt put the skimmer on the fuge, unless you not gonna put a macro in there and your not gonna use it for a nutrient export..

[Bill S]

OK... Kind of scratching my head on the skimmer... Let's say I only get say 100 gallons per hour out of the exchange pump, and realistically, the 10 gallon tank will hold 5 gallons (after bed & rock, and that it won't be full anyway...). That's a complete change of water every 3 minutes. Maybe I'm missing something???

[bigdscobra]

I have a 10g fuge that is completly full of cheto. I have the skimmer in my sump though, I think what Alamo is saying that their is no point of putting the skimmer and the macro together in a fuge, is cause they would be doing the same thing. Macro wouldent have enough nutrients to grow and survive if the skimmer is taking all the nutrients out of the same spot (the fuge). It would work alot better if the fuge is taking out nutrients with the macro and leave the skimmer on the tank which is also taking out nutrients. This way their is more water for both the skimmer and macro to work with instead of all being in the 10g. If this makes any sense :wacko

[LoneStar]

make sure you have enough room in the 10 gallon for when power goes out and water starts to siphon out of the main tank back down to the fuge. 55 gallon is pretty long so depending on where your overflow or drain is it might siphon a lot of water out. Would you have room to put a 20 gallon in there or possible a 20 long in there? Does not hurt to go bigger for the fuge or sump. :)

[Alamo]

yup bigd, thats what was bothering me about the skimmer in the fuge

[gjuarez]

I am tagging along, I have been wanting to do this for my 29 gallon tank. I would also like to know how to do this.

[Bill S]

Lonestar, my intention was to put the 10g at the same water level as the 55. This way when the power goes off, they both sit at the same level. I'd put the pump in the fuge only part way down, and that way if the intake to the fuge gets clogged, I can only pump a gallon or 2 into the big tank. Thoughts?

[LoneStar]

Well from what I have run into you will either need to have the water lines in both the 55 and 10 gallon the same, other wise siphoning will happen. How are you planning on connecting the tanks together? A overflow box or by drilling the tanks? If you drill the tanks you could have them both at the same level. Have 2 bulkheads, one on each tank, and connect them pvc or spa flex or something. Then have a return pump from the fuge back to the main tank. One problem with that might be if something hits the tank or if one shifts more than the other it could cause both tanks to crack.

If you go with the overflow route you will have to put the 10 gallon lower than the 55 due to the way the overflow box is designed. Thats when you will need extra room in the refugium in order for water to fill up until you reach that 'magical' siphon water line. These are just a few ideas and if anyone else out there has some more info chime in. Do you have any pictures of your current setup to give us a few more ideas on what you could do? Now back to NFL :)

[bigdscobra]

Drilling a 10g can be done but I broke 2 of them just setting them up, The glass is way to thin. I would recomend going with a 20g long or getting a custom 10g with thicker glass. I will be upgrading mine to a 20g soon for the increass in water, size, and thicker more stable glass.

[Alamo]

My fuge is a 20 long that i got pre drilled ffrom Alamo Aquatics, head over and talk to Chris.