Refugium questions

CPdude · 06/11/2017, 10:33 PM

Hi everyone I made a very simple 5.6 gallon refugium which was ment to be a sump but never mind. I use 2 powerheads to pump water from the main 25 tank into the fuge and return back to the tank. The problem is, 1 pump is somehow stronger and the return pump is slow, so the fuge/sump overflowed twice. But luckily I was there to keep watch over the fuge. Right now, I have 1 powerhead off and the pipes disconnected, 1 powerhead is in the tank just for the extra flow. Anyone can give me help and tips? That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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bif24701 · 06/11/2017, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPdude

Hi everyone I made a very simple 5.6 gallon refugium which was ment to be a sump but never mind. I use 2 powerheads to pump water from the main 25 tank into the fuge and return back to the tank. The problem is, 1 pump is somehow stronger and the return pump is slow, so the fuge/sump overflowed twice. But luckily I was there to keep watch over the fuge. Right now, I have 1 powerhead off and the pipes disconnected, 1 powerhead is in the tank just for the extra flow. Anyone can give me help and tips? That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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You can't use two pumps like that it will never work. You need a gravity feed either the return or feed.

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CPdude · 06/11/2017, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bif24701

You can't use two pumps like that it will never work. You need a gravity feed either the return or feed.

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How can I do that? I built the sump after the tank is set up like over a month ago. The 5.6 gallon is on the floor while the main tank is just taller as it is on the bottom section of the stand while the top section is my FW tank.

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bif24701 · 06/11/2017, 11:53 PM

You need some kind of overflow, or just simply drill a hole in the tank for a bulkhead and plumb it down to the sump. Then the pump can return water back up to the tank. There are also hang on the back overflows that do not require drilling. Another option is to purchase a HOB refugium.

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CPdude · 06/12/2017, 12:37 AM

A hang on back overflow sounds good. But I am not sure what is one and how do I make 1. Is it like those hook like tubing aquarium stores sell?

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bif24701 · 06/12/2017, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPdude

A hang on back overflow sounds good. But I am not sure what is one and how do I make 1. Is it like those hook like tubing aquarium stores sell?

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Bulk Reef Supply has them on their web site, take a look at some of them and see if you think it may work, post a link here and we can talk about it.

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CPdude · 06/12/2017, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bif24701

Bulk Reef Supply has them on their web site, take a look at some of them and see if you think it may work, post a link here and we can talk about it.

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Hi, I do not plan to buy the hob overflow, I plan on making on using only pvc pipes or other materials if necessary. Any ideas?

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CPdude · 06/12/2017, 03:49 AM

Also. It is possible that I replace the return powerhead with just pvc pipes that connects up to the main tank? Will that work?

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bif24701 · 06/12/2017, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPdude

Also. It is possible that I replace the return powerhead with just pvc pipes that connects up to the main tank? Will that work?

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Could you give me some more details about your question.

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CPdude · 06/12/2017, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bif24701

Could you give me some more details about your question.

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Oh what I meant is that can I replace the return pump in the fuge with a diy pvc pipe overflow which connects up to the main tank? Its certainly better for me if it will work.

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TX_Punisher · 06/12/2017, 03:25 PM

Show us some photos of how your system is plumbed. That we we know what we're working with. You can run it off the overflow or the return pump.

06/11/2017, 10:33 PM	#1
CPdude Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 96	Refugium questions Hi everyone I made a very simple 5.6 gallon refugium which was ment to be a sump but never mind. I use 2 powerheads to pump water from the main 25 tank into the fuge and return back to the tank. The problem is, 1 pump is somehow stronger and the return pump is slow, so the fuge/sump overflowed twice. But luckily I was there to keep watch over the fuge. Right now, I have 1 powerhead off and the pipes disconnected, 1 powerhead is in the tank just for the extra flow. Anyone can give me help and tips? That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Sent from my LG-H650 using Tapatalk

06/11/2017, 11:53 PM	#4
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	You need some kind of overflow, or just simply drill a hole in the tank for a bulkhead and plumb it down to the sump. Then the pump can return water back up to the tank. There are also hang on the back overflows that do not require drilling. Another option is to purchase a HOB refugium. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

06/12/2017, 12:37 AM	#5
CPdude Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 96	A hang on back overflow sounds good. But I am not sure what is one and how do I make 1. Is it like those hook like tubing aquarium stores sell? Sent from my LG-H650 using Tapatalk

06/12/2017, 03:49 AM	#8
CPdude Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 96	Also. It is possible that I replace the return powerhead with just pvc pipes that connects up to the main tank? Will that work? Sent from my LG-H650 using Tapatalk

06/12/2017, 03:25 PM	#11
TX_Punisher Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 95	Show us some photos of how your system is plumbed. That we we know what we're working with. You can run it off the overflow or the return pump.