HOB refugium
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2883
Printed Date: April 29 2025 at 2:54pm
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Topic: HOB refugium
Posted By: vangvace
Subject: HOB refugium
Date Posted: July 01 2004 at 12:55pm
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I think I've decided on making my HOB fuge 12Hx15Lx6W. Now for the questions: How far from the top and sides should the holes be for the PVC? What size PVC should I use? I was thinking 1/2" Any suggestion on baffle height/ distance from ends? Finally, does it need to be level like most HOB filters do? ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 02 2004 at 5:41am
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That's a lot of weight to hang on the back of any tank! I wouldn't do that. It ought to be supported underneath.
Maybe I missed something in a previous thread, but please explain where the PVC is going. If it's for moving water to and from the refugium by drilling holes in tank and refugium, I have a better idea. Having the top level of the refugium slightly above the tank with a powerhead in the main tank pumping water into the refugium and a spillway on the refugium allowing the water to drop back into the tank, would be the best, IMO. If I understand what you are thinking of doing no baffles are needed. Baffles get in the way of algae growth and hamper your ability to work with and in the refugium. The reason some refugia/sumps use baffles is to keep algae, air microbubbles and sand away from the inlet to the external pump (can be damaged by sand) or the skimmer. Some people think that baffles are needed to make the water move faster. In actual practice, the best refugia are like semi-stagnant tidal pools where life grows thick and heavy. Level? The water, algae, bugs, and critters do know which way is down! ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 02 2004 at 12:25pm
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No I wasn't planning on drilling the tank, just the refugium. The PVC is the goes-intas and the goesoutas for the refugium. A powerhead was going to pump water from the tank into the refugium and then gravity was going to be the return. The design is similar to the CPR aquafuge and pictures are here of what I'm thinking of doing http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31728 - http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&thread id=31728 . Weight is a concern of mine (actually number two after the acrylic giving way) I'm not as concerned about the tank tipping though as just stress on everything... then cracking... then a swamp in my bedroom. I was under the umpression that baffles were to slow water flow, keep the sand from being disturbed from the input and to keep the algea away from the output
------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: July 02 2004 at 2:21pm
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Search around here. I recommend at least 1.25" pvc and I would definately put baffles in it. I built a few of them before. Other's have too, and I remember seeing pics of them on this site. I made mine 18" by 6" and it was 14" deep. About 7 gal of water in it (I think). Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 02 2004 at 2:51pm
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Adam, What size tank did you have it on? ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: July 02 2004 at 4:12pm
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I have one right now on my 30 gal. Anything over 30 gal I would probably go with a sump/refugia. Anything smaller I would go with a HOB. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 07 2004 at 1:47pm
Here's the warplan. ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 07 2004 at 1:56pm
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I got the pieces from Profession Plastic in Kaysville. Actually I went in there to find out how much it was going to cost to have cut/drilled and they ended up doing it while I waited. The bottom of the drill holes are 8" from the bottom. Hopefully I'm going to make it to Lowes tonight to get some glue (weld-on?) and the PVC. Per Mark's suggestion I'm going to also support it from the bottom (just got to change stands first) ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 08 2004 at 1:26pm
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Swing... and a miss. Looks like I'm going to have to go down to SLC and get some weld-on there. ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: July 08 2004 at 1:32pm
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I would make four holes with pvc fittings, not two. It is amazing how many holes you need for the water to get out and not overflow. Also, it disperses the weight over four points, not two. Then, I use a piece of foam on the top of the tank, under all four pvc fittings, to make sure they are all dispersing the weight. If you happen to drill one just a bit too low, then it bares the weight, and the whole thing wobbles. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 09 2004 at 9:05am
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I wonder... on the return from the refugium inside the refugium, Could I use straight PVC instead of an elbow or would that cause bubbles? ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 16 2004 at 11:13am
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Alright, So I've made the "box" and am in hour 12 of water testing pics soon ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
. No leaks when I left for work but... Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 26 2004 at 1:17pm
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Sweet the box hasn't leak... now on to the PVC glueing
BTW if anyone is in need of PVC glue, primer or Weld-on 4 I may be able to help ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
.Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 30 2004 at 9:01am
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Tonight's the night ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
. The PVC and silicone is going to be cured and it's time for the last water test!!