Refugium plumbing question

Kluver · 05/01/2006, 09:11 PM

Hi all,

I have a 20gal and planning on adding a refugium below my tank. I'm a bit confused. Is there a way to bring the water down to the refugium without the use of adding bulkhead or an overflow box to the main tank?

I was thinking of just using gravity feed tubing down to the refugium but realized that in case of power outage, my refugium can overflow. Is there a way to prevent this?

Thanks for all the help!

ZoeReef · 05/01/2006, 09:38 PM

Wow..Registered in Nov 2003, and already on your 4th post!

Have you considered any of the hang on the back refugiums?

Not speaking from a wealth of experience, but it would seem you have to find a way to break that siphon in the event of a power loss and that is going to require some type of overflow device/box. Since there is going to be a loss of power, then it would seem there must be a mechanical break in the water flow. I'll be very interested in what others post here...

ZoeReef · 05/01/2006, 09:53 PM

I may win the award for the most stuff hanging off the back of a tank. Necessity became the mother...

Anyhow, here's my tank at 6 weeks

Here's a schematic (top down view...not to scale) of the stuff I have hanging off the back. By way of explanation, this tank came with a separate back "sump" area. That's what everything comes out of and returns into. (the grey area)

With this setup I have a skimmer, a refugium, carbon and power-phos (to remove phosphates). I also put the heater in there as well so my tank is fairly clean.

And here's a pic of the stuff hanging off the back.

Kluver · 05/01/2006, 10:29 PM

Nice setup. As far as my post goes, better late than never huh? LOL.
I'm really looking for a bottom sump/refugium more for the added space and water. My back already has a HOB skimmer. Thanks for brainstorming though. :-)

05/01/2006, 09:11 PM	#1
Kluver Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 250	Refugium plumbing question Hi all, I have a 20gal and planning on adding a refugium below my tank. I'm a bit confused. Is there a way to bring the water down to the refugium without the use of adding bulkhead or an overflow box to the main tank? I was thinking of just using gravity feed tubing down to the refugium but realized that in case of power outage, my refugium can overflow. Is there a way to prevent this? Thanks for all the help!

05/01/2006, 09:38 PM	#2
ZoeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,066	Refugium Wow..Registered in Nov 2003, and already on your 4th post! Have you considered any of the hang on the back refugiums? Not speaking from a wealth of experience, but it would seem you have to find a way to break that siphon in the event of a power loss and that is going to require some type of overflow device/box. Since there is going to be a loss of power, then it would seem there must be a mechanical break in the water flow. I'll be very interested in what others post here...

05/01/2006, 09:53 PM	#3
ZoeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,066	Hang on the back refugium I may win the award for the most stuff hanging off the back of a tank. Necessity became the mother... Anyhow, here's my tank at 6 weeks Here's a schematic (top down view...not to scale) of the stuff I have hanging off the back. By way of explanation, this tank came with a separate back "sump" area. That's what everything comes out of and returns into. (the grey area) With this setup I have a skimmer, a refugium, carbon and power-phos (to remove phosphates). I also put the heater in there as well so my tank is fairly clean. And here's a pic of the stuff hanging off the back.

05/01/2006, 10:29 PM	#4
Kluver Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 250	Nice setup. As far as my post goes, better late than never huh? LOL. I'm really looking for a bottom sump/refugium more for the added space and water. My back already has a HOB skimmer. Thanks for brainstorming though. :-)