Thinking about adding a sump/ refugium to my nano tank.

Fishyj · Feb 10, 2017

I have been tossing this around for a while. I wanted to add a sump/ refugium to my 13.5 fluval nano tank. With the stand I have, I can only put a 5 or 10 gallon tank underneath. On my tank the compartments are small and I would like more stability in my tank. I really don't want to drill this tank. I am dealing with a compartment that is only 3"x 4". The other problem is my return runs thru this area. I guess if I had to, I could patch that return and move it to the second compartment. Any thoughts or ideas would help.

rich nyc · Feb 10, 2017

How are you going to make it reef ready. are you going to drill holes in the sump area of the fluval to make it more like an overflow box or just pipe into it.

Fishyj · Feb 10, 2017

I really do not want to drill this tank. I am looking for alternatives to drilling.

IronVulture · Feb 10, 2017

I added a sump and a refugium to my bio cube without drilling. My sump did not fit under my stand so I put it behind the tank. I can take pictures of how I handled the overflow when I get home

IronVulture · Feb 10, 2017

Looks like this. DIY king has a video on YouTube on how to build it and how it works.

Fishyj · Feb 10, 2017

Thanks, I will look into this for sure.

CastAway · Feb 10, 2017

I always wanted a very small display, but with a large sump and refugium. I thought it would be cool to have the appearance of a "nano", or even a "pico" but with all the hidden benefit of a large volume. Can you imagine a bare bottom pico with a single huge acropora colony.

Perhaps you could get creative and install a reservior/refugium remotely @Fishyj, like in an adjacent closet or something, and just plumb some circulation/gravity lines to your 13.5G system?

rich nyc · Feb 10, 2017

Do you have a picture of that in your nano?

ReefingwithO · Feb 10, 2017

Have you considered an algae reactor? I'm running one on my 10 gallon nano and other than carbon and some floss this is the main filtration on my nano. I do a 5 gallon water change per month.

The photos you see are of one month growth.

Fishyj · Feb 13, 2017

Thanks for the great ideas. The algae reactor won't work for what I need at this time. I would love to hook up a large sump to this and remote it. Unfortunately I can't do that where the tank is located. My only choice is a 5 gallon tank under the cabinet. I tried a 10 gallon tank but it will not fit. I will be using a diy overflow and I may at some point I may build a stand that will accommodate a much larger sump.

lion king · Feb 13, 2017

Do you have a build thread on that, or could you give me quick instructions on how you did that. I have 2 biopellet reactors laying around and I think I could convert one for my angler tank. and that would be awesome.

oseymour said:
Have you considered an algae reactor? I'm running one on my 10 gallon nano and other than carbon and some floss this is the main filtration on my nano. I do a 5 gallon water change per month.

The photos you see are of one month growth.

Hyde2406 · Feb 13, 2017

I'd be interested in a build thread on the little algae scrubber, I use a Santa Monica up flow and live it but I'd like to remove all chemical filtration and I think I'd need another scrubber to achieve that

Frop · Feb 13, 2017

I have a 10 gallon with a HOB (hang on back) overflow. Doesn't drain the fastest but no drilling needed. I got mine used for $35 on eBay (or somewhere around that price).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004...8-2-fkmr0&keywords=hang+on+back+overflow+nano

rich nyc · Feb 13, 2017

That HOB option looks doable. does it leak at all

Frop said:
I have a 10 gallon with a HOB (hang on back) overflow. Doesn't drain the fastest but no drilling needed. I got mine used for $35 on eBay (or somewhere around that price).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004...8-2-fkmr0&keywords=hang+on+back+overflow+nano

Nano man · Feb 13, 2017

What the max footprint you have?

lion king · Feb 13, 2017

Found this while researching, this is the reactor I have and already have a spare mj1200, so I ordered the light. I'll try it on my BC29, looks like a great addition to a AIO system.

adam@army · Feb 13, 2017

lion king said:
Found this while researching, this is the reactor I have and already have a spare mj1200, so I ordered the light. I'll try it on my BC29, looks like a great addition to a AIO system.

this is what I'm looking for to do. where do you find lights like this?

ReefingwithO · Feb 13, 2017

adam@army said:
this is what I'm looking for to do. where do you find lights like this?

These are the exact instructions I followed and I got the parts from MarineDepot

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...ate_Reactors-AquaMaxx-UJ5311-FIFRISPR-vi.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/Accel_Aq...riums-Accel_Aquatics-6H94602-FILTFILD-vi.html

The lights needed some wrapping taping to keep the power cord in. The build quality leaves a lot to be desired. I basically wrapped the entire power cord in clear saran wrap to protect it. Since I built it, I saw some led plant grow lights that might work. I'm trying to find a really large reactor to make one for my 75 gallon. The PAX bellum which does the same thing cost $500 bucks for the small version and over $1000 for the large.

Frop · Feb 13, 2017

rich nyc said:
That HOB option looks doable. does it leak at all

I use to have my refugium directly behind my nano so it wouldn't leak even if it could. Now since I moved it a couple days ago I need the right plumbing.