Plumbing in a refugium

[Sdoutreefer]

Not sure if this is in the right area of the forums or not so please move it if its not, but I am wanting to plumb in a refugium to my existing tank. I thought the tank I use as my sump would be big enough for a refugium, but its not. So, my question is, how difficult would it be to plumb in a refugium into my running system? My tank is stocked so shutting it down for a day for plumbing cement and what not to dry is out of the question. I am wanting it to be simple, if thats at all possible. Thanks all!

 

[BfishLpond78]

How is it currently plumbed? Could you just use a small pump to supply the new refugium and have it drain back into the sump?


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[Sdoutreefer]

The tank is drilled with an overflow box. Just the basic two pipes down into the sump, then back to the return once it passes through my sump. Im trying to think of ideas on how to do it and not sure exactly how id go about it

 

[BfishLpond78]

Quickest way is to add a small pump, like a maxi jet and have it feed the fuge. Where will the fuge be located?


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[Sdoutreefer]

It will be beside the tank on its own stand. Should I feed the refugium from the sump? And should the refugium return to the sump or just put some tubing to the display tank?

 

[BfishLpond78]

It will be beside the tank on its own stand. Should I feed the refugium from the sump? And should the refugium return to the sump or just put some tubing to the display tank?

Can you post a picture of your current sump?

I would feed it back to your sump


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[Dana]

Buy a hang on fuge and hang it into your sump tank

 

[Bartmmackey]

Take a look at CPR overflow. I will send you picks of mine and sump layout if you pm me. Easy to plumb afterwards and the CPR overflow is flawless. A few tricks like anti-siphon holes (dont know legal name for them). But super simple.

 

[Rjramos]

Hope this helps.This is how I set it up. To start off with you need a tall aquarium stand, (mine are 40") tall to fit this properly. All my set ups are and have been set up this way. The refugium on top takes a portion of water from the overflow. The other portion goes directly to the bottom sump. Water from the refugium is gravity fed to the lower sump. 1 external pump on lower sump returns water back to display and feeds protein skimmer which dumps back into lower sump. Works like a charm and easy maintenance!


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[Sdoutreefer]

As you can see I dont have room to put it above my sump

 

[Rjramos]

Ok I see. Then what you need is a pump in your sump feeding the refugium set up aside your tank and then gravity fed back to your sump. Another option is t- off your overflow water, place 2 gated valves on both of them, and take one to the refugium and one directly to your existing sump. Return water to the existing sump from the refugium via gravity. Anything else like relying on two pumps to move water between two containers, a pipe set up As a return for sumps that are level, etc. you are looking for close monitoring and problems. Your existing sump must be able to handle overflow volume of main display + refugium overflow in case of power outage.


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