Anyone have success with the Refugium bucket method ?

[jmichaelh7]

That’s right ... hmm

Its outside of my sump so i don't think that would end too well! lo

 

[Coral Euphoria]

It's not going to float when there is water in it. Also if the bucket is plumbed so the output is above the sump water line it will have a high water level than the sump.

For my quarantine tank that has a 15g tank for a sump, I used a 3 gallon bucket I found off Amazon. Unfortunately it cost me $30 but it's what fit. Still cheaper than other solutions.

Doesn't necessarily need to be a bucket. Any container would work, however I recommend using black or a dark color. Light-colored containers will have light shining through.

 

[fishybizzness]

It's not going to float when there is water in it. Also if the bucket is plumbed so the output is above the sump water line it will have a high water level than the sump.

For my quarantine tank that has a 15g tank for a sump, I used a 3 gallon bucket I found off Amazon. Unfortunately it cost me $30 but it's what fit. Still cheaper than other solutions.

Doesn't necessarily need to be a bucket. Any container would work, however I recommend using black or a dark color. Light-colored containers will have light shining through.

Hi! Are you still running around 300 gph through the bucket? How well is your chaeto growing? How often are you harvesting? Thanks for the response!

 

[Coral Euphoria]

Here is my 3g bucket in 15 gallon tank converted to a sump. Tight fit, but it gets the job done.

 

[Coral Euphoria]

Hi! Are you still running around 300 gph through the bucket? How well is your chaeto growing? How often are you harvesting? Thanks for the response!

Yes, a little less than 300gph, because I divert some of the flow to my RowaPhos. Cheato grows fine. Usually have to trim it 1-2 weeks if I have the fuge light on every night.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Testing it out for leaks.
I went to Home Depot and Lowe’s and could not find the drains for the pvc piping? Where did you get yours

 

[jmichaelh7]

It’s getting late... will revisit when the sun comes up.

what do you guys recommend the lighting schedule?

 

[fishybizzness]

Testing it out for leaks.
I went to Home Depot and Lowe’s and could not find the drains for the pvc piping? Where did you get yours

Is that the drain line under the bucket handle?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Is that the drain line under the bucket handle?

That’s the inlet where the pump is bringing in water. The drain is on top and the emergency drain is the one above.

the bucket is 2.5 gallon. Barely enough to fit in refugium of Red Sea 425xl.

Like I mentioned, I couldn’t find the drain for the pvc to prevent snails and things from clogging. where did you get yours?

 

[jmichaelh7]

I’m having trouble with the Kessil

ligjtPlease see light schedule. It’s 800 and the light is not turning off. Do you have apex as well ?

 

[jmichaelh7]

I figured the light out. It was set to ON on the main page. It needed to be switched to Auto

 

[fishybizzness]

That’s the inlet where the pump is bringing in water. The drain is on top and the emergency drain is the one above.

the bucket is 2.5 gallon. Barely enough to fit in refugium of Red Sea 425xl.

Like I mentioned, I couldn’t find the drain for the pvc to prevent snails and things from clogging. where did you get yours?

I don't remember if it was Amazon or brs. They are only a few bucks.

 

[ELChingonsReef]

I built one after seeing your video as I had a spare kessil 160 fuge light and have been very satisfied so far! Best invention ever! I couldn't fit it in my sump so I plumbed it outside. I have open access behind my sump so it works fine. I feed it off of a manifold on my return line and it seems to be working good. What flow are you running yours at? Only issue I have is that the bucket i used is a taller skinny 5 gallon compared to a regular 5 gallon. I just ordered some heavy duty black food grade buckets off of Amazon and will be changing to one of them.

Do you ever have issues with chaeto clogging both drain lines..?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Do you ever have issues with chaeto clogging both drain lines..?

There is guards an op mentioned on this thread to prevent it

 

[revenant]

omg I am super doing this. Bucket fuge FTW!

 

[fishybizzness]

Do you ever have issues with chaeto clogging both drain lines..?

Not really. I have a strainer on both the main return and the emergency return.

 

[fishybizzness]

I do notice that alot of coraline algea grows on the sides of the bucket. When I first set it up I had alot of hair algea growing on the sides of the bucket. I ended up removing the chaeto and scraping all the hair algea off and siphoning it all out. I refilled the bucket with fresh seawater and put back in the chaeto and added a large Caribbean top snail and haven't had any issues since.

 

[biecacka]

Could I do this but feed the bucket off my drain from the tank?
would it be better suited to bring the water in up higher and one single drain, or other methods. I have seen buckets with a ton of little holes in it so the water just ”seeps”out So to speak.

corey