Wondering if this Refugium is any good.

fish4red · 08/07/2016, 01:55 PM

Hello. I going to be setting up a 175 RR tank and thinking I will use a Refugium. I found this one online for $380, its 50 gallons. Ive watched a few how to videos about refugiums and seems like they have some basic, yet critical functions that need to happen. Just wondering if this set up would be something someone with some experience would recommend.

Here are the specs from the seller.

-48x15x15 High Refugium with two sock kits
-3 Baffles - 4 Chambers-- Includes 2 socks and 2 bulkheads
-Input Chamber - 20 inch for large skimmers and sock option.
-Refugium Chamber - 18" with a 10" high wall 3rd chamber 4 inch media -bubble trap
-Return Chamber - 6" - Fits most internal pumps

The Tank will have a DSB, FOWLR to start, then I will gradually move to softies when I can stomach upgrading the lights and support systems.

Thanks for any advice!

Capsle · 08/07/2016, 03:55 PM

That's a huge sump! Usually you have your socks in the same compartment as you skimmer. Also when it comes to baffles you need 2-3 per section to remove micro bubbles.

I have 2 per section and should of added a third as I still have a lot of micro bubbles. You want to have water flow over, under, over the baffle sequence.

When it comes to refugium you want to have you DT water flow through it at a slow rate unfiltered / not skimmed. You want you macro algae to get the nutrients along with whatever else is in there.

Personally I wouldn't buy that sump for 380$ or even 100$.

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Sk8r · 08/07/2016, 04:26 PM

THat does have an over-under, in the last (or first) baffle.

Ztous · 08/07/2016, 04:34 PM

I couldn't imagine paying 380 for that. I mean really it's a 40 dollar tank with some baffles siliconed in. The little sock holders are 30 bucks. Personally I do it myself and use this as a template. I would move the bubble trap baffles much closer together and off set the other baffle to put the skimmer more comfortably in the first chamber. This has the benefit of shrinking the total return chamber volume so that if your tank stops returning water for some reason it will run out quicker.

Capsle · 08/07/2016, 04:50 PM

I made this one. It's not as pretty but works well. The tank is 35g. Paid 40$ for it and the glass baffles cut and polished cost me 46$ from my local glass shop.

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NAClFiSHy · 08/07/2016, 05:29 PM

Make one yourself and spend your extra cash on lights. Its pretty easy all the information can be found in the DIY section. You can build that fuge for like 80 bucks

fish4red · 08/08/2016, 05:17 AM

Great feedback, thanks all.

Capsle that tank you built, you started with a stock 35g? Why did you take the top trim off? I thought that trim added some support to the top. Also that looks like just one baffle, are you saying you would have added more?

I will be checking out the DIY although I think I prefer to buy one. Ive got 4 young kids and a full time business really don't have any time left in the day to work on a DIY project as much as I would love to do that.

Ron Reefman · 08/08/2016, 05:26 AM

It looks like an OK sump to me, it's just $200+ overpriced!

homer1475 · 08/08/2016, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capsle

I made this one. It's not as pretty but works well. The tank is 35g. Paid 40$ for it and the glass baffles cut and polished cost me 46$ from my local glass shop.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice Passport on the table, but why are your posts sent from an iphone? I'm assuming since your Canadian your a loyal BB user, but the BBOS lacks quite a bit, and is now basically dead. I'm currently on a PRIV and never realized what I was missing being on a BB since the early days with a pearl. i would still be using my Passport if the keyboard didn't die.

PS.
Sorry for the hijack, but I just had to comment when I saw that wonderful device.

Capsle · 08/08/2016, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish4red

Great feedback, thanks all.

Capsle that tank you built, you started with a stock 35g? Why did you take the top trim off? I thought that trim added some support to the top. Also that looks like just one baffle, are you saying you would have added more?

I will be checking out the DIY although I think I prefer to buy one. Ive got 4 young kids and a full time business really don't have any time left in the day to work on a DIY project as much as I would love to do that.

If you zoom in the picture there are 2 baffles, they're spaced 1.5" apart so it's hard to tell. I will be adding a third when I clean out my sump in 6 months. Only because I still have micro bubbles. Yes I started with a basic 35g tank.

I removed the rim to reseal the tank. The rim was only around the top and had no Center brace. The baffles I added reinforce the tank. It is also only half full since it is being used as a sump so there isn't very much strain on it.

I removed the rims on both my sump and DT.

The DT was a bit trickier as it did have a Center brace. Ill take a pic when I get home to show you. I basically made a euro brace for it.

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zeemofree · 08/08/2016, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capsle

I made this one. It's not as pretty but works well. The tank is 35g. Paid 40$ for it and the glass baffles cut and polished cost me 46$ from my local glass shop. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice sump

Capsle · 08/08/2016, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

Nice Passport on the table, but why are your posts sent from an iphone? I'm assuming since your Canadian your a loyal BB user, but the BBOS lacks quite a bit, and is now basically dead. I'm currently on a PRIV and never realized what I was missing being on a BB since the early days with a pearl. i would still be using my Passport if the keyboard didn't die.

PS.
Sorry for the hijack, but I just had to comment when I saw that wonderful device.

Yes that is a BB passport. It's my company phone. I use it only for work, emails and whatnot. I have an IPhone as my personal phone simply because I don't like the BB OS. It's good for business but I wouldn't have it if I had a choice. The screen is nice and big and the keyboard is great for emails but that's about it.

Try holding a passport to your ear when talking... I always have it either on speaker or Bluetooth headset.

I'm an apple fan.

Cheers

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/07/2016, 01:55 PM	#1
fish4red Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clearwater Posts: 134	Wondering if this Refugium is any good. Hello. I going to be setting up a 175 RR tank and thinking I will use a Refugium. I found this one online for $380, its 50 gallons. Ive watched a few how to videos about refugiums and seems like they have some basic, yet critical functions that need to happen. Just wondering if this set up would be something someone with some experience would recommend. Here are the specs from the seller. -48x15x15 High Refugium with two sock kits -3 Baffles - 4 Chambers-- Includes 2 socks and 2 bulkheads -Input Chamber - 20 inch for large skimmers and sock option. -Refugium Chamber - 18" with a 10" high wall 3rd chamber 4 inch media -bubble trap -Return Chamber - 6" - Fits most internal pumps The Tank will have a DSB, FOWLR to start, then I will gradually move to softies when I can stomach upgrading the lights and support systems. Thanks for any advice!

08/07/2016, 03:55 PM	#2
Capsle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 385	That's a huge sump! Usually you have your socks in the same compartment as you skimmer. Also when it comes to baffles you need 2-3 per section to remove micro bubbles. I have 2 per section and should of added a third as I still have a lot of micro bubbles. You want to have water flow over, under, over the baffle sequence. When it comes to refugium you want to have you DT water flow through it at a slow rate unfiltered / not skimmed. You want you macro algae to get the nutrients along with whatever else is in there. Personally I wouldn't buy that sump for 380$ or even 100$. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Caps Current Tank Info: 65G DT with custom overflow, 35G custom sump, maxspect R420r 180w 15K, reef octopus classic 150 skimmer.

08/07/2016, 04:26 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	THat does have an over-under, in the last (or first) baffle. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/07/2016, 04:50 PM	#5
Capsle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 385	I made this one. It's not as pretty but works well. The tank is 35g. Paid 40$ for it and the glass baffles cut and polished cost me 46$ from my local glass shop. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Caps Current Tank Info: 65G DT with custom overflow, 35G custom sump, maxspect R420r 180w 15K, reef octopus classic 150 skimmer.

08/08/2016, 05:26 AM	#8
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	It looks like an OK sump to me, it's just $200+ overpriced! __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/07/2016, 04:34 PM	#4
Ztous Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 220	I couldn't imagine paying 380 for that. I mean really it's a 40 dollar tank with some baffles siliconed in. The little sock holders are 30 bucks. Personally I do it myself and use this as a template. I would move the bubble trap baffles much closer together and off set the other baffle to put the skimmer more comfortably in the first chamber. This has the benefit of shrinking the total return chamber volume so that if your tank stops returning water for some reason it will run out quicker.

08/07/2016, 05:29 PM	#6
NAClFiSHy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 61	Make one yourself and spend your extra cash on lights. Its pretty easy all the information can be found in the DIY section. You can build that fuge for like 80 bucks

08/08/2016, 05:17 AM	#7
fish4red Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clearwater Posts: 134	Great feedback, thanks all. Capsle that tank you built, you started with a stock 35g? Why did you take the top trim off? I thought that trim added some support to the top. Also that looks like just one baffle, are you saying you would have added more? I will be checking out the DIY although I think I prefer to buy one. Ive got 4 young kids and a full time business really don't have any time left in the day to work on a DIY project as much as I would love to do that.