DIY AIO chambers

[rcasiano]

I came across a used 29 biocube but the rear chambers was damaged, so I took it off completely and decide to rebuild my own 3 stage Full Refugium system . I pm ace and he gave me all the info I need to build it myself (thanks ace). Picked up some 1/4 black acrylic and started cutting today. http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c36/95natchampion/Refugium.jpg

[glennr1978]

I would add one more baffle for added flow through the refugium chamber. Granted, I know that it's not best to have a ton of flow through a 'fuge, but in this case I would think the added baffle would work well. The reason being is because of the fact that the return pump doesn't produce mass amounts of gph anyway.

With your current sketch I would think that you would have a huge "dead area" in the back of your tank. It my end up doing more harm than good. Just my 2 pennies.

[rcasiano]

Why would there be a "Dead Area"?? well i only got enough acrylic for just four baffle walls, your suggestion three walls in the before the refugium and only one wall before the return pump... I was gonna try to fit a mag5 as the return pump

[glennr1978]

Why would there be a "Dead Area"?? well i only got enough acrylic for just four baffle walls, your suggestion three walls in the before the refugium and only one wall before the return pump... I was gonna try to fit a mag5 as the return pump


There would be more of a dead area with your design because the water would just flow over the fuge for the most part, rather than through it. To clarify, I would put the third baffle in the fuge, on the left side. That would force the water up through that area. Hope that makes sense. Also, fyi, you can get acrylic at any hardware store for next to nothing.

Not to shoot another hole in your plan, but I would reconsider the mag5. I don't recall the exact wattage on the pump, but IIRC, they tend to run at a high er wattage than other pumps of comparible gph, which will produce alot of excess heat.

[glennr1978]

Just noticed you're using black acrylic. That may be a little harder to come by.

[rcasiano]

If there is alot of water movement in the fuge won't the pods and alge move alot???
Ya i thought about the heat of the pump but with that much GPH i shouldnt need any other powerheads..Right??

[rcasiano]

How about a small baffle wall in the middle of the fuge

[glennr1978]

If there is alot of water movement in the fuge won't the pods and alge move alot???
Ya i thought about the heat of the pump but with that much GPH i shouldnt need any other powerheads..Right??

Honestly, I really don't think the mag5 is the best option for your tank. In addition to the heat issues you may have, it's likely too strong for the fuge to work effectively as you stated. I hope that doesn't sound contradicting to my previous posts, I would still add the extra baffle, just because I like the idea of an upflow through the fuge better than having the water just kinda move over the top.

Also, the mag5 probably isn't strong enough to be the main source of flow in your tank. If I were you, I would consider a mj900 for the return pump (it runs cooler than a mj1200 with about the same flow rate, would be perfect for your fuge set up), and maybe a Korallia 2 in the display. It all depends on what you plan to keep, but that combo should be a good all around start.

[glennr1978]

How about a small baffle wall in the middle of the fuge

I've never thought of doing that, but it should work, I would think. Good idea, I like it!

[rcasiano]

Well this is what i got done today. What kind of silicon do i use to attach the chambers to the aquarium Im still thinking if i want to put that little wall

[glennr1978]

Looks good. are you sure that overflow is large enough to handle 500gph?

[rcasiano]

No im not gonna use that mag 5, lookin to get a maxijet