refugium

DVS1 · 01/31/2009, 02:25 PM

I have a 180 gal tank that I built a refugium for and was wondering if it will work and what you guys think of it. I made it out of a 55 gal tank. The water enters on the left, goes down through bio balls, back up and dumps into the refugium. From there it dumps into a open area where the front pump picks it up and sends it the protien skimmer and returns to the same area. That same area then returns to the tank via a 1800gph pump. Also, do I need to add a filter? If so, any recomendations? So please, comments, ideas, thoughts are welcomed.
Thanks, Dave

kraze3 · 01/31/2009, 02:43 PM

The skimmer will act as your filter.

IMO id remove the bioballs. All they do is collect crap which can cause nitrates to rise. If you want to keep them you need to clean regularly.
I built a small barrier around my return pump using eggcrate. Its just to keep cheato and any critters away fromt he pump. From your pic I see one pump external i dont see the other. Just something to think of if it is internal

My last suggestion is make sure you have enough room in the 55 for any water that will drain down in a power outage. if you havent already cut the power to your tank and make sure your refugium/sump can handle all the water that drains down.

fireman676 · 01/31/2009, 03:14 PM

I built one almost identical to yours. It works well for me. I use bio balls as well to slow the water and as said above make sure you wash them out frequently to eliminate any nitrate problems.

DVS1 · 01/31/2009, 05:16 PM

Thank you guys!! I do clean the bio balls regularly and the other pump is behind the 1/2 gal jug. Please keep the comments coming.
Thanks, Dave

THE ROOK · 01/31/2009, 05:27 PM

Looking good.

I'd add a ball valve on the drain to slow the flow down & remove the bio balls for good. No more cleaning bio-balls. They can do more harm than good.

You may need to add a tee and drain some of the water past the refuge. That way you can keep the flow low in the refuge but maintain your return volume to the display.

DVS1 · 01/31/2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by THE ROOK
Looking good.

I'd add a ball valve on the drain to slow the flow down & remove the bio balls for good. No more cleaning bio-balls. They can do more harm than good.

You may need to add a tee and drain some of the water past the refuge. That way you can keep the flow low in the refuge but maintain your return volume to the display.

I might have to do that with the bio balls. I also thought that the flow rate was a little high for the refugium. I never thought of bypassing some of the water. Thanks for the tip!

Tony44 · 01/31/2009, 07:39 PM

I think the only problem with it is that you said it gets sent to the protein skimmer after after going through the refugium, right?

It would probably be a better idea to have it go through the skimmer, then to the refugium.

01/31/2009, 02:25 PM	#1
DVS1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North of Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 3	refugium I have a 180 gal tank that I built a refugium for and was wondering if it will work and what you guys think of it. I made it out of a 55 gal tank. The water enters on the left, goes down through bio balls, back up and dumps into the refugium. From there it dumps into a open area where the front pump picks it up and sends it the protien skimmer and returns to the same area. That same area then returns to the tank via a 1800gph pump. Also, do I need to add a filter? If so, any recomendations? So please, comments, ideas, thoughts are welcomed. Thanks, Dave __________________ Never argue with a stupid person, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. Current Tank Info: 180 Gal

01/31/2009, 03:14 PM	#3
fireman676 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington KY Posts: 127	I built one almost identical to yours. It works well for me. I use bio balls as well to slow the water and as said above make sure you wash them out frequently to eliminate any nitrate problems. __________________ "Beer is living proof God loves us and wants us to be happy." Ben Franklin Current Tank Info: Oceanic 75 gal RR, 20 gal fuge

01/31/2009, 05:16 PM	#4
DVS1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North of Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 3	Thank you guys!! I do clean the bio balls regularly and the other pump is behind the 1/2 gal jug. Please keep the comments coming. Thanks, Dave __________________ Never argue with a stupid person, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. Current Tank Info: 180 Gal

01/31/2009, 02:43 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	The skimmer will act as your filter. IMO id remove the bioballs. All they do is collect crap which can cause nitrates to rise. If you want to keep them you need to clean regularly. I built a small barrier around my return pump using eggcrate. Its just to keep cheato and any critters away fromt he pump. From your pic I see one pump external i dont see the other. Just something to think of if it is internal My last suggestion is make sure you have enough room in the 55 for any water that will drain down in a power outage. if you havent already cut the power to your tank and make sure your refugium/sump can handle all the water that drains down.

01/31/2009, 05:27 PM	#5
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Looking good. I'd add a ball valve on the drain to slow the flow down & remove the bio balls for good. No more cleaning bio-balls. They can do more harm than good. You may need to add a tee and drain some of the water past the refuge. That way you can keep the flow low in the refuge but maintain your return volume to the display.

01/31/2009, 07:39 PM	#7
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	I think the only problem with it is that you said it gets sent to the protein skimmer after after going through the refugium, right? It would probably be a better idea to have it go through the skimmer, then to the refugium.