refugium question

SaltSolutions1 · 08/05/2008, 11:55 AM

I have a 45 gallon tank.

Will a 35 gallon rubbermaid container be too large to be used as a refugium?

I have a HOB cpr bak pak 2 skimmer, maxi-jet 1200 powerhead, 350 magnum canister filter.

Looking to add a refugium. Rather than paying 150.00 on the cpr HOB aquafuge 2 refugium, would it be a better refugium if I used the 35 gallon container?

What do I need to make it out of this container. Any handy people out there that have done this before, I could sure use your help and advice on this.

Thanks in advance

areze · 08/05/2008, 11:59 AM

refugium can be any size. it shouldnt add any load to your skimmer or anything else.

I have a 75g tank as a refugium, though its going to have some other stuff in it also I think.

as for how to make it into a refugium, you'd need to set it up for an overflow most likely. a simple standpipe can do it since surface skimming isnt super important for the fuge.

BeanAnimal · 08/05/2008, 12:01 PM

No the 35 gallon refugium will not be too large. You do not need to do much but get water into it and get water out of it....

Do ou have a sump already, or will it be your sump?

SaltSolutions1 · 08/05/2008, 12:13 PM

I do not have a sump. Can I use the 35 gallon container for my sump and refugium?

Keep in mind that I already have a HOB skimmer

dj9264 · 08/05/2008, 01:32 PM

You don't need a sump. Just a little pump in the tank or in the fuge.

SaltSolutions1 · 08/05/2008, 01:44 PM

OK.....if i don't need a sump and all i need is a refugium, what should I use as a refugium....i had the idea of a 35 gallon rubbermaid container since i have them laying around........around what size container should i use or should i just use a 10 gallon tank?

or a 15 gallon?

if so, i have to put the tank behind the stand on the floor so i will need some type of pump for water to get back up into the tank.....no clue how to do this or what supplies i will need....any help would be appreciated.

areze · 08/05/2008, 02:24 PM

youll need an overflow on the tank, drilled or hang on. that sends water down to the fuge tank, and then a pump to push it back up to the display. eheim 1250 or mag 5 should be sufficient.

dj9264 · 08/05/2008, 02:27 PM

I like the rubbermaid container idea but anything will work. Put in some sand some algae a pump with some tubing or PVC to get it back up and over the tank wall. Add light water and your done.

dj9264 · 08/05/2008, 02:29 PM

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm

dbmtrman · 08/05/2008, 05:26 PM

I have a 29 biocube, in which I stripped all the filtering parts out f the back. I then placed a hang on overflow box, in the middle compartment. I made a refugium out of a 20 gal. long tank. The skimmer goes in the 1st compartment of the fuge. A return pump takes the water back into the 3 compartment of the biocube.
Works great. Lots of pods and nitrates are at zero.

SaltSolutions1 · 08/05/2008, 09:23 PM

areze, what is a mag 5 or a 1250 for a pump.......i am thinking of getting a 10 gallon tank and using that as a refugium. I am planning on sitting it behind the stand in the back. I am guessing I need a pump and some pipe or tubing to get the water to and from the 10 gallon to my display 45 gallon. will this 10 gallon be big enough? what pump do u recommend? how do i do it?what do i use for piping/tubing? what do i put in the 10 gallon tank?

thank you so much to everyone who is helping me out here!

this site is awesome!

i hope one day i will be able to help someone else out and return the favor!

ordy1 · 08/06/2008, 06:24 AM

you'll need one of these: Hangs on back of your tank: external overflow box.

one of these: to pump the water from your fuge to your tank. You can just use vinyl hose and go over the top of your tank from your fuge: Eheim submersible pump:

Cheato (algae) this stuff:

Some sand: Pick it up at homedepot: Play sand:

And a tank or rubber maid container under your tank.

areze · 08/06/2008, 07:46 AM

yep, thats about it.

some of the stuff will cost you, the overflow box is a chunk, and the pump will run you another 40 or 50.

but itll get it done for you.

cabrego · 08/06/2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ordy1
you'll need one of these: Hangs on back of your tank: external overflow box.

one of these: to pump the water from your fuge to your tank. You can just use vinyl hose and go over the top of your tank from your fuge: Eheim submersible pump:

Cheato (algae) this stuff:

Some sand: Pick it up at homedepot: Play sand:

And a tank or rubber maid container under your tank.

What kind of experience have you had with the play sand??

I used something similar from home depot, and it was very filthy and was nearly impossible to clean.

I do not think I would use that in a saltwater tank.

SaltSolutions1 · 08/06/2008, 07:52 AM

that's $100 right there alone. I can get a HOB refugium for $120. Would a 10 gallon tank be better than the HOB refugium or should I just buy the HOB refugium and call it a day and save some money and time?

SaltSolutions1 · 08/06/2008, 07:55 AM

Is using the 10 gallon tank worth the extra time and money for filtration or will it have the same effectiveness as a CPR aquafuge 2 HOB refugium?

cabrego · 08/06/2008, 07:56 AM

how big is your tank...

SaltSolutions1 · 08/06/2008, 08:58 AM

45 GALLON REEF TANK

SaltSolutions1 · 08/06/2008, 11:43 AM

ok......i decided to go with the 10 gallon tank as a refugium. I will be placing the 10 gallon tank level with the 45 gallon behind tank. I will run a U-hose from the 10 gallon to the 45 and a small tubing from the 45 gallon to the 10 gallon.

I will need proper lighting......any suggestions on lighting?

also, any suggestions on what to use as a u-tube from the 10 gallon to the 45 so i dont have to spend $60 on the whole overflow box setup with the tube included?

thanks everyone!

FiSHy sAy HeY · 08/06/2008, 12:32 PM

taggin along....need suggestions on lighting too

SaltSolutions1 · 08/06/2008, 08:31 PM

ok, so I bought the 10 gallon tank, the light, built a stand for it so I didn't need a pump strong enough to pump water up 5 feet.

have the 10 gallon level behind the 45 gallon. I got a U-tube from my LFS from a overflow box set(he was nice enough to break the kit down for me and just give me the tube) You know you are spending too much money when the LFS is helping you out like that.....lol

anyway, have a rio 400 pumping water into my 10 gallon from my tank and the u-tube from the 10 to the 45.

now what?

i assume i need some live sand, and some sort of filter media.....algae or mangroves

08/05/2008, 11:55 AM	#1
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	refugium question I have a 45 gallon tank. Will a 35 gallon rubbermaid container be too large to be used as a refugium? I have a HOB cpr bak pak 2 skimmer, maxi-jet 1200 powerhead, 350 magnum canister filter. Looking to add a refugium. Rather than paying 150.00 on the cpr HOB aquafuge 2 refugium, would it be a better refugium if I used the 35 gallon container? What do I need to make it out of this container. Any handy people out there that have done this before, I could sure use your help and advice on this. Thanks in advance __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/05/2008, 11:59 AM	#2
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	refugium can be any size. it shouldnt add any load to your skimmer or anything else. I have a 75g tank as a refugium, though its going to have some other stuff in it also I think. as for how to make it into a refugium, you'd need to set it up for an overflow most likely. a simple standpipe can do it since surface skimming isnt super important for the fuge. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

08/05/2008, 12:13 PM	#4
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	I do not have a sump. Can I use the 35 gallon container for my sump and refugium? Keep in mind that I already have a HOB skimmer __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/05/2008, 01:32 PM	#5
dj9264 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 284	You don't need a sump. Just a little pump in the tank or in the fuge. __________________ Dana Current Tank Info: 210g reef, 20g surge

08/05/2008, 01:44 PM	#6
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	OK.....if i don't need a sump and all i need is a refugium, what should I use as a refugium....i had the idea of a 35 gallon rubbermaid container since i have them laying around........around what size container should i use or should i just use a 10 gallon tank? or a 15 gallon? if so, i have to put the tank behind the stand on the floor so i will need some type of pump for water to get back up into the tank.....no clue how to do this or what supplies i will need....any help would be appreciated. __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/05/2008, 12:01 PM	#3
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	No the 35 gallon refugium will not be too large. You do not need to do much but get water into it and get water out of it.... Do ou have a sump already, or will it be your sump?

08/05/2008, 02:24 PM	#7
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	youll need an overflow on the tank, drilled or hang on. that sends water down to the fuge tank, and then a pump to push it back up to the display. eheim 1250 or mag 5 should be sufficient. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

08/05/2008, 02:27 PM	#8
dj9264 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 284	I like the rubbermaid container idea but anything will work. Put in some sand some algae a pump with some tubing or PVC to get it back up and over the tank wall. Add light water and your done. __________________ Dana Current Tank Info: 210g reef, 20g surge

08/05/2008, 02:29 PM	#9
dj9264 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 284	http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm __________________ Dana Current Tank Info: 210g reef, 20g surge

08/05/2008, 05:26 PM	#10
dbmtrman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 144	I have a 29 biocube, in which I stripped all the filtering parts out f the back. I then placed a hang on overflow box, in the middle compartment. I made a refugium out of a 20 gal. long tank. The skimmer goes in the 1st compartment of the fuge. A return pump takes the water back into the 3 compartment of the biocube. Works great. Lots of pods and nitrates are at zero.

08/05/2008, 09:23 PM	#11
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	areze, what is a mag 5 or a 1250 for a pump.......i am thinking of getting a 10 gallon tank and using that as a refugium. I am planning on sitting it behind the stand in the back. I am guessing I need a pump and some pipe or tubing to get the water to and from the 10 gallon to my display 45 gallon. will this 10 gallon be big enough? what pump do u recommend? how do i do it?what do i use for piping/tubing? what do i put in the 10 gallon tank? thank you so much to everyone who is helping me out here! this site is awesome! i hope one day i will be able to help someone else out and return the favor! __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/06/2008, 06:24 AM	#12
ordy1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 425	you'll need one of these: Hangs on back of your tank: external overflow box. one of these: to pump the water from your fuge to your tank. You can just use vinyl hose and go over the top of your tank from your fuge: Eheim submersible pump: Cheato (algae) this stuff: Some sand: Pick it up at homedepot: Play sand: And a tank or rubber maid container under your tank.

08/06/2008, 07:46 AM	#13
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	yep, thats about it. some of the stuff will cost you, the overflow box is a chunk, and the pump will run you another 40 or 50. but itll get it done for you. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

08/06/2008, 07:52 AM	#15
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	that's $100 right there alone. I can get a HOB refugium for $120. Would a 10 gallon tank be better than the HOB refugium or should I just buy the HOB refugium and call it a day and save some money and time? __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/06/2008, 07:55 AM	#16
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	Is using the 10 gallon tank worth the extra time and money for filtration or will it have the same effectiveness as a CPR aquafuge 2 HOB refugium? __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/06/2008, 07:56 AM	#17
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	how big is your tank...

08/06/2008, 08:58 AM	#18
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	45 GALLON REEF TANK __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/06/2008, 11:43 AM	#19
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	ok......i decided to go with the 10 gallon tank as a refugium. I will be placing the 10 gallon tank level with the 45 gallon behind tank. I will run a U-hose from the 10 gallon to the 45 and a small tubing from the 45 gallon to the 10 gallon. I will need proper lighting......any suggestions on lighting? also, any suggestions on what to use as a u-tube from the 10 gallon to the 45 so i dont have to spend $60 on the whole overflow box setup with the tube included? thanks everyone! __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/06/2008, 12:32 PM	#20
FiSHy sAy HeY Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 253	taggin along....need suggestions on lighting too

08/06/2008, 08:31 PM	#21
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	ok, so I bought the 10 gallon tank, the light, built a stand for it so I didn't need a pump strong enough to pump water up 5 feet. have the 10 gallon level behind the 45 gallon. I got a U-tube from my LFS from a overflow box set(he was nice enough to break the kit down for me and just give me the tube) You know you are spending too much money when the LFS is helping you out like that.....lol anyway, have a rio 400 pumping water into my 10 gallon from my tank and the u-tube from the 10 to the 45. now what? i assume i need some live sand, and some sort of filter media.....algae or mangroves __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.