Plumbing My Refugium

reeformadness · 06/04/2007, 04:40 PM

OK, I have all the PVC and fittings I can possibly need. Now how can I plumb my refugium. It is a 29T with no holes drilled. I do have an overflow box if neccessary. Sorry, but I doubt I can make this brief. Basically, the 29 is sitting next to my 75 gal drilled display. The top of the 29 is higher than the top of my 75 because the 29T has a higher stand. I was originally thinking I could have the 75 drain into the 29 and pump out the water from the 29 (like a sump). However, this would force me to recieve the main tanks drainage via a siphon (I guess), and much of this is hard plumbed which would make that difficult. I guess I could put a hang-on overflow on my 29 but that would require siphoning as well, and I don't trust siphons. I also want to get rid of the sump for use in another setup. I also could pump water from my display into the 29, but I'm not sure if I want to do that. ANY IDEAS? The only options I invision are putting my refugium on the floor, pumping from the display, or putting an overflow in the 29. Are these my only options?

frederickk · 06/08/2007, 07:36 PM

HEre's a pic of mine. It may not help but gives you an idea.

I'm running it with a powerhead MJ1200 and there is a 2 1/2'' hole on the top part that brings the water right back to my main sump.

frederickk · 06/08/2007, 07:37 PM

The fuge stands on top of my main sump (110g)

Here's a pic of the bottom

caesar Gdi · 06/08/2007, 07:38 PM

you could drill the tank

alan214 · 06/08/2007, 09:36 PM

If the 29G is higher, let it drain into the 75G sump and then pump water back into the 29G. See My Gallery (red house) for a better idea of what I'm describing.

reeformadness · 06/08/2007, 09:56 PM

Thanks guys...I thought this thread was dead. I actually managed to move my aquarium about 6 or 8 inches so now I have the option of keeping the fuge under the display. I went with a 10 gallon for now, but I may switch to an 18 if I feel I need larger. The 29 wouldn't leave me alot of space for lighting and such, so now I have an excuse for another tank! I put 40W of PC light on it and a piece of live rock in there along with various macros I have growing in my display. I have some Fiji mud on the way that I'll put in a tupperware in there too. I will probably make the plumbing more elaborate at some point because as of now I have a pump in the fuge and that is not ideal. Alan's idea is more what I'm looking for. The 75 is already not far from a fuge as it is as I only have 1 predatory fish (a 1" cinnamon clown) and 1 red-banded shrimp. To be honest with you the 10 gallon is now less of a refugium and more of an algae turf scrubber/hermit crab prison. My 75 display is PACKED with amphipods.

By the way, moving it just that bit from the wall lowered my tank temp from 81-82 to 76 degrees F. Crazy how a little airflow and distance from a window can drop it that much. And to think I almost spent 400 on a chiller.

06/04/2007, 04:40 PM	#1
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	Plumbing My Refugium OK, I have all the PVC and fittings I can possibly need. Now how can I plumb my refugium. It is a 29T with no holes drilled. I do have an overflow box if neccessary. Sorry, but I doubt I can make this brief. Basically, the 29 is sitting next to my 75 gal drilled display. The top of the 29 is higher than the top of my 75 because the 29T has a higher stand. I was originally thinking I could have the 75 drain into the 29 and pump out the water from the 29 (like a sump). However, this would force me to recieve the main tanks drainage via a siphon (I guess), and much of this is hard plumbed which would make that difficult. I guess I could put a hang-on overflow on my 29 but that would require siphoning as well, and I don't trust siphons. I also want to get rid of the sump for use in another setup. I also could pump water from my display into the 29, but I'm not sure if I want to do that. ANY IDEAS? The only options I invision are putting my refugium on the floor, pumping from the display, or putting an overflow in the 29. Are these my only options?

06/08/2007, 09:36 PM	#5
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	If the 29G is higher, let it drain into the 75G sump and then pump water back into the 29G. See My Gallery (red house) for a better idea of what I'm describing. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

06/08/2007, 07:36 PM	#2
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	HEre's a pic of mine. It may not help but gives you an idea. I'm running it with a powerhead MJ1200 and there is a 2 1/2'' hole on the top part that brings the water right back to my main sump.

06/08/2007, 07:37 PM	#3
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	The fuge stands on top of my main sump (110g) Here's a pic of the bottom

06/08/2007, 07:38 PM	#4
caesar Gdi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 110	you could drill the tank

06/08/2007, 09:56 PM	#6
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	Thanks guys...I thought this thread was dead. I actually managed to move my aquarium about 6 or 8 inches so now I have the option of keeping the fuge under the display. I went with a 10 gallon for now, but I may switch to an 18 if I feel I need larger. The 29 wouldn't leave me alot of space for lighting and such, so now I have an excuse for another tank! I put 40W of PC light on it and a piece of live rock in there along with various macros I have growing in my display. I have some Fiji mud on the way that I'll put in a tupperware in there too. I will probably make the plumbing more elaborate at some point because as of now I have a pump in the fuge and that is not ideal. Alan's idea is more what I'm looking for. The 75 is already not far from a fuge as it is as I only have 1 predatory fish (a 1" cinnamon clown) and 1 red-banded shrimp. To be honest with you the 10 gallon is now less of a refugium and more of an algae turf scrubber/hermit crab prison. My 75 display is PACKED with amphipods. By the way, moving it just that bit from the wall lowered my tank temp from 81-82 to 76 degrees F. Crazy how a little airflow and distance from a window can drop it that much. And to think I almost spent 400 on a chiller.