Refugium from 5 gal Bucket

[Fishhead1]

Hi Guys. Been reefing since 1980's. Got out late 90's back in 2010. Wow things have changed! Interested in doing a refugium from 5 gal bucket for 155g reef. Any ideas/suggestions? Thx very much!

 

[Spare time]

I am not sure how well it would work as you won't be able to match the pumps up exactly in and out and an overflow and return with a 5g bucket would be difficult.

 

[xtian]

Will you be using a sump? If so, you can drill the bucket near the top, install a uniseal to drain back into your sump and tee your return with a gate valve to adjust flow to the bucket.

 

[Fishhead1]

Will you be using a sump? If so, you can drill the bucket near the top, install a uniseal to drain back into your sump and tee your return with a gate valve to adjust flow to the bucket.

Thx so much! That was the plan but didn't know if there was a better way?

 

[Fishhead1]

Thx so much! That was the plan but didn't know if there was a better way?

Wasn't sure how to maximize contact time between H2O and algae...

 

[Acrofiend]

This seems to be the best way.

 

[Fishhead1]

This seems to be the best way.

I saw that. Thx so much!

 

[Spare time]

You could always just set up a second sump or tub near by and plumb it that way if you have room

 

[rfgonzo]

If you don't want to use a uni-seal you can use a bulkhead fitting on the flat bottom of the bucket. Then run a pvc pipe up from the bottom in the center of the bucket towards the top.

 

[dwest]

For about 5 years, I had a kitchen trash can inside my sump. I used a mj1200 to pump in water and had drilled a bulkhead and pvc pipe out near the top for the outflow. I used a grow light from amazon and later a kessil h380. It worked great.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I've always thought the best way to run a fuge was to have it above the display tank. That way any pods that grow in it will just flow into the display.

 

[Dom]

Will a 5 gallon refugium be large enough on a 155 gallon tank?

 

[Shon]

Maybe find one square or rectangular if you want to use bulkheads vs uniseals?

Could be sourced free on recycle day. Left is actually a Feta Cheese bucket from a resturant, 4.5g, same as the square kitty litter. Don't use clear, they crack easily.

UV light will also degrade it and make it fragile, same with 5g buckets, be it Homedepot red, Lowes blue, food grade white, even Firehouse subs pickle bucket. Used as garden planter pots when I found that out. So if using as drain to display, keep in mind about UV light leaks from display if applicable.

 

[Fishhead1]

For about 5 years, I had a kitchen trash can inside my sump. I used a mj1200 to pump in water and had drilled a bulkhead and pvc pipe out near the top for the outflow. I used a grow light from amazon and later a kessil h380. It worked great.

Thx so much!!

 

[Fishhead1]

Will a 5 gallon refugium be large enough on a 155 gallon tank?

I don't know...

 

[Fishhead1]

Maybe find one square or rectangular if you want to use bulkheads vs uniseals?

Could be sourced free on recycle day. Left is actually a Feta Cheese bucket from a resturant, 4.5g, same as the square kitty litter. Don't use clear, they crack easily.

UV light will also degrade it and make it fragile, same with 5g buckets, be it Homedepot red, Lowes blue, food grade white, even Firehouse subs pickle bucket. Used as garden planter pots when I found that out. So if using as drain to display, keep in mind about UV light leaks from display if applicable.

Really great Ideas-thx very much!

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

Will a 5 gallon refugium be large enough on a 155 gallon tank?

There is no doubt that having a refugium with macro algae is better than nothing. It's debatable if it's "better" than other types of waste export or not. Will 5 gallons filter 155 gallons? That depends on the type of algae, type of lighting, and how much food/livestock is added to the tank. A 7 watt LED in a hang on back fuge will reduce 70% of nitrate and phosphate feeding 1 cube of mysis shrimp per day. Not to mention the enormous amount of pods it grows.

 

[Kaz035]

That is a great idea to tee the return pump. I was wondering how I would balance the pumps.

 

[biecacka]

Do it like the video posted above of @Coral Euphoria his setup is simple and his tanks look incredible, so one could argue Abe knows what he’s doing. I considered doing one as well, to get the chaeto out of my sump. But I didn’t end up doing it because I didn’t want to have deal with removing the lid etc to check and trim the chaeto. Not a huge task, just a personal preference.


Corey