Refugium Idea

[Christopher Parish]

Hello R2R Members, I have a question.

But first, let me tell you my dilemma... I have a new Waterbox 230.6 coming in a few weeks. It doesn’t seem the sump is large enough to have a good size refugium (or at least the size I want). So, I want to put a 20G in one of the side cabinets. Attached is a picture of my plan. The fuge will have an overflow that will drawn back into the sump. My question is this; where should I pump from (sock, skimmer or return area) and where should I return my overflow from the fuge to. I assume I should overflow into the sock area for filtration purposes.

What are your thoughts?

PS. I’m not worried with electrical. It will all be in a displayed custom cabinet beside the tank.

Thanks,
UTG

 

[redfishbluefish]

There's a number of ways this could be set up. My first thought is water comes from the DT in the fuge. The drain from the fuge enters the sump into a sock. In the sump you have the skimmer and return pump...in separate chambers. Easy peasy.

 

[Christopher Parish]

There's a number of ways this could be set up. My first thought is water comes from the DT in the fuge. The drain from the fuge enters the sump into a sock. In the sump you have the skimmer and return pump...in separate chambers. Easy peasy.

That would mean all my bio-load would go into my fuge unfiltered. Is that a good idea?

Thanks for the reply.

UTG

 

[redfishbluefish]

Again, a number of ways you could do this. Some believe your fuge should get first shot at the nasties coming from your DT. You could always put your sock at the DT drain into the fuge to clean it up a bit.

 

[Christopher Parish]

I guess I could try. If I don’t like it, it’s just plumbing...

Thanks RFBF!

UTG

 

[Christopher Parish]

Ok. One other question. Should I drill my return (from DT) at the bottom (side) of the fuge tank so I can keep all the “stuff” stirred up off the bottom?

UTG

 

[redfishbluefish]

Ok. One other question. Should I drill my return (from DT) at the bottom (side) of the fuge tank so I can keep all the “stuff” stirred up off the bottom?

UTG

Before you drill, you need to know if the glass is tempered. It's easily done with a pair of polarized sunglasses and a video screen....tablet, phone, laptop, etc.

Now, we're the hole is drilled depends on your overflow. I have a Glass-Holes, and have two hole up high on the back glass. So first decide on an overfliw and that will define where the hole(s) go.

 

[Christopher Parish]

It is not tempered. I know where to put the holes for the overflow on the fuge. I’m wondering about the supply to the fuge (overflow from the DT). Should I drill for that bulkhead at the bottom side of the fuge tank to help keep solids agitated or just dump it in the top and use a power head for agitation?

Thanks again,
UTG

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm not sure how a bulkhead down low will clean your bottom glass....you don't simply want an open bulkhead low in the tank to drain into a sump/refugium....disaster time!!!! You need an overflow that first allows water to cascade into the overflow, and now the plumbing transfers that water to the sump/refugium.

Here is an example of a corner overflow that typically has holes drilled in the bottom glass. The water first cascades through the saw-teeth in the top of the overflow, and then inside the overflow you have a durso or stockman standpipe (or some other plumbing standpipe) that transfers that water to the sump/fuge.

Going through the side, you have many choices in overflows.....bean animal, herbie, and any number of commercial overflows....to name a few. Here is an example of a Herbie:

So again, do NOT simply drill a hole down low and use that as the drain to the sump/fuge.....you need an overflow to control the draining of the tank.

 

[JoshH]

I'm not sure how a bulkhead down low will clean your bottom glass....you don't simply want an open bulkhead low in the tank to drain into a sump/refugium....disaster time!!!! You need an overflow that first allows water to cascade into the overflow, and now the plumbing transfers that water to the sump/refugium.

Here is an example of a corner overflow that typically has holes drilled in the bottom glass. The water first cascades through the saw-teeth in the top of the overflow, and then inside the overflow you have a durso or stockman standpipe (or some other plumbing standpipe) that transfers that water to the sump/fuge.

Going through the side, you have many choices in overflows.....bean animal, herbie, and any number of commercial overflows....to name a few. Here is an example of a Herbie:

So again, do NOT simply drill a hole down low and use that as the drain to the sump/fuge.....you need an overflow to control the draining of the tank.

I believe the OP is talking about the main drain coming from the DT and drilling a bulkhead in the bottom of the fuge so the water flows from the DT to the bottom of the fuge to put flow across the bottom, keeping things suspended and turning in the fuge. Not drilling a low bulkhead in the DT itself. In this case I would still suggest avoiding doing this as the lower the return pipe is in the sump the more back pressure is produced which can prevent your main drain from starting up properly in the event you turn your return pump off and on. A straight pipe down into the fuge somewhere in the center of the side wall will help produce nice flow across the bottom.

 

[Christopher Parish]

I believe the OP is talking about the main drain coming from the DT and drilling a bulkhead in the bottom of the fuge so the water flows from the DT to the bottom of the fuge to put flow across the bottom, keeping things suspended and turning in the fuge. Not drilling a low bulkhead in the DT itself. In this case I would still suggest avoiding doing this as the lower the return pipe is in the sump the more back pressure is produced which can prevent your main drain from starting up properly in the event you turn your return pump off and on. A straight pipe down into the fuge somewhere in the center of the side wall will help produce nice flow across the bottom.

You are correct Josh. That’s what I had in my mind. But I see your point about back pressure.

Thank you guys.

UTG

 

[User1]

Just wondering how the refugium, if to also breed pods for food, make it back to the display. That is the one thing that is keeping me from adding a secondary sump or tank. One of those things that make you rethink the original sump purchase, you know? At least that is what I say to myself looking back on it.