Stuck on plumbing refugium

[Jasper05]

I'm planning my first ever build. I'm doing an in wall 40 breeder with a 20l sump. I came up with the idea that I now want a separate refugium. I want more volume and I would like to produce as many pods as I can. The refugium will either be a 25 gal (18x18x18) or a 35 gal (20×20×20).

Now I have looked at threads, but I'm not quite clear how this will exactly work. I'm looking on details on how the plumbing fits in. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

Ps. Dont be jealous of my sketch.

 

[sunken3]

in essence are you just looking to add a second tank to the sump (ie the fuge)?

 

[Jasper05]

in essence are you just looking to add a second tank to the sump (ie the fuge)?

Yeah, pretty much

 

[sunken3]

run the pipe similar to the main tank, from the sump to the fuge. as long as each tank is above the sump and piped with an overflow its pretty easy. the only thing you really need to worry about is can the sump hold all the water it has to if the power goes out on one or both tanks.

 

[Will Wohlers]

My new build. This is the equipment room that's behind the main display. The 29 gallon is plumbed off my sumps manifold and is going to be a display fuge.

 

[sunken3]

I'm planning my first ever build. I'm doing an in wall 40 breeder with a 20l sump. I came up with the idea that I now want a separate refugium. I want more volume and I would like to produce as many pods as I can. The refugium will either be a 25 gal (18x18x18) or a 35 gal (20×20×20).

Now I have looked at threads, but I'm not quite clear how this will exactly work. I'm looking on details on how the plumbing fits in. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

Ps. Dont be jealous of my sketch.

your technique is unmistakable. what years did you attend the Royal College of Art?

 

[sunken3]

My new build. This is the equipment room that's behind the main display. The 29 gallon is plumbed off my sumps manifold and is going to be a display fuge.

it's hard to tell on your pic, but do you have a single drain line (on the right with the screen)?

 

[Jasper05]

run the pipe similar to the main tank, from the sump to the fuge. as long as each tank is above the sump and piped with an overflow its pretty easy. the only thing you really need to worry about is can the sump hold all the water it has to if the power goes out on one or both tanks.

Maybe it's the bourbon I had, but I'm not sure if Im getting it. So the refugium will have an over flow... And that will go where? And there should be a gate valve there?

To get water into the fuge, do I tee off the return? If so, where exactly and I'm guess I should have a valve there as well.

That's a good point about the overflow if the power goes out. I only have a 20 gallon... But the height for the skimmer in only 7inches or so. Sbould be enough? And all the runs are pretty short.


And good guess.. But it was the Rhode Island School of Design.

 

[Will Wohlers]

it's hard to tell on your pic, but do you have a single drain line (on the right with the screen)?

Yes I do. I've never had issues with clogs and overflowing of water with only one but you could always do a second with a 90 degree elbow facing up as an emergency drain.

 

[sunken3]

Yes I do. I've never had issues with clogs and overflowing of water with only one but you could always do a second with a 90 degree elbow facing up as an emergency drain.

ya... those screens can get clogged.. if flow is slow no problem, but if you ramp it up could be an issue..

 

[Will Wohlers]

ya... those screens can get clogged.. if flow is slow no problem, but if you ramp it up could be an issue..

I recommend as slow a flow as possible through the display fuge for maximum contact time. Also in a display fuge I never mess with chaeto or Ulva which helps with possible clogs.

 

[Jasper05]

I recommend as slow a flow as possible through the display fuge for maximum contact time. Also in a display fuge I never mess with chaeto or Ulva which helps with possible clogs.

What else do you use?

 

[Deep]

Now I have looked at threads, but I'm not quite clear how this will exactly work. I'm looking on details on how the plumbing fits in. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

I run an external refugium with a eshops HOB overflow draining water into the Sump ahead of the return pump. Also have another small pump feeding into the refugium from the first section of my Sump. Since its a HOB overflow, I needed to get enough flow into the tank so that there were no air bubbles in the U pipe on the HOB overflow. I also have a optical sensor that I placed higer than the usual water level on the refugium. So if for some reason if I end up pumping too much water into the refugium and the water level rises, the sensor will cut the flow into the refugium.
Do you plan to use a hang on back overflow or a overflow drilled into the tank ?

 

[Jasper05]

I'm leaning towards drilling the tank. May I ask why you went the second return pump route as opposed to teeing off the main return? Is your smimmer in the first chamber as well?

Also where is the your refugium in relation to the sump?

 

[Jasper05]

Anybody else care to chime in?