Heavy duty poly tank for DIY refugium?

[mandarin417]

Heavy duty poly tank for DIY refugium?

The 120 gallon tank is going to be on a wall behind which there is a large clothing closet. I am going to put top off and dosing containers on the other side of the wall. I want to put a refugium in the closet too but nothing fancy (expensive) and hopefully without putting out too much humidity in the closet.

I was looking at a heavy duty, self-supporting, open top, cylindrical poly tank – maybe a 55 gallon tank with a cover and modified so I can place an LED fixture over the top to support macro algae growth. I would have to install some bulkheads to flow water from this tank into the sump on the other side of the wall. The oversized tank will also provide some extra water volume for improved system stability.

Anyone ever do a setup like this? Heavy duty cylindrical poly tanks are not bad in pricing. Maybe something like this 55 Gallon Heavy Duty Polyethylene Tank - 21-3/4" x 36" | U.S. Plastic Corp.

Thanks,

Bob (Mandarin417)

 

[duke4130]

I haven't done it but I have seen similar builds. Its not all about appearance all the time. Especially if you are putting it in the closet. It is all about functionality.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My 3 refugia are 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed in series. Water enters the bottom of each and out by surface overflow in a bulkhead.

I cut a hole in each lid to allow a fluorescent flood lamp to light the macroalgae growing in the top 6" or so, with the remainder filled with live rock.

I also use large diameter plastic tubing to connect a bathroom exhaust fan to a hole in the top of each to keep fresh air in them while exhausting all water vapor outside.

 

[thejuggernaut]

My 3 refugia are 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed in series. Water enters the bottom of each and out by surface overflow in a bulkhead.

I cut a hole in each lid to allow a fluorescent flood lamp to light the macroalgae growing in the top 6" or so, with the remainder filled with live rock.

I also use large diameter plastic tubing to connect a bathroom exhaust fan to a hole in the top of each to keep fresh air in them while exhausting all water vapor outside.

I think the 44 gallon Brute container Randy mentioned would be a better option. You can buy them at Lowes or HD and I think they are less than half the price of the container you have listed.

 

[Rybren]

You can often pick up 55 gal heavy duty food grade blue barrels for $20-$30. Around here, the 44 Gal brutes are ~$60

 

[mandarin417]

Randy Holmes-Farley

- do you have any pics of your Brute container refugium you could share or if you have done so already - point me there?

Thanks,

Bob​

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, I don't have any pictures at the moment.