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DIY Refugium Help?
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Manofcichlids View Drop Down
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Joined: September 11 2004
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Points: 478 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Manofcichlids Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: DIY Refugium Help?
    Posted: November 15 2005 at 2:19am
Okay, this isn't for a saltwater tank but if you want to learn to do some of the more advanced things you have to go to those who know how to do it eh?

First off, this is for me 125g in my office. The sump is a 30g long since it's freshwater the volume doesn't need to be as large, so this should work fine. However, I am confused on the refugium dividers in the tanks...a like so...



Here is a prefabricated refugium sump. Now there are two dividers on the left side of the tank, the first one on the right obviously to keep the water at a certain level for the plants...but what purpose does the second one serve that comes from the top that doesn't touch the bottom....the left one. Get me? And again...



I found this on the .net. There are three dividers on the left side now, one coming up, then one coming down, then one up again...I'm unsure of the purpose of these is? Why can't I juse use one divider coming up? The tank was already setup as a SW refugium before I got it and that is what it has... It has two pieces of glass in it. One tall one on one side for the waste from the tank and a reall short one on the other side. Should I add another one coming down or two more? Please clarify!?

Just trying to figure out how you get the plants from not floating into your pump, could this perhaps be why there are more dividers? Just bury the plants well?

Thanks for all your help! I'll get pictures as soon as I get it going!
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Joined: December 23 2004
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You can place foam floss in-between the two and the water will flow down
into the return area.



Joe Barnas
Westminster, CO
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Manofcichlids View Drop Down
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I get it!  Wouldn't the floss/foam clog fairy quickly or do you also put some on the other side when it very first comes into the tank? Filter sock work?

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I use a filter sock on the drain from the tank to help the foam thing is mor
of a sponge not foam
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=BS1135
it is put in like this pic.



Joe Barnas
Westminster, CO
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21437 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 16 2005 at 9:00am

I would discard the sponge, allowing the water including bugs go straight through. Here is how my Sump/Refugium looks:
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I agree with Mark, The sponges and socks just collect food that sits and rots. It needs to be cleaned often (which can kill all the desirable's in the media). Let it flow back to the main tank where your fish and crabs can take care of it.

As for the chambers in the sump, it was my understanding that forcing the water over a baffle and then back under another helped with microbubbles from a skimmer, etc.
Jeff Rasmussen

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Points: 478 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Manofcichlids Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 16 2005 at 3:01pm
I think I was really clever or really stupid in the design. I designed it to use a sponge, but if I raise the water level in the sump just by adding water the sponge will not be used or I can remove it entirely. So if the sponge gets clogged it will just flow right to the pump. Again, this is my attempt for a freshwater refugium lol When I get this one right I will build one for the 55g where I will do the saltwater one.

I was reading in here that the impeller of the pumps do litte to no damage to creatures? If I were breeding my cherry red shrimp in the sump wouldn't their bodies get chopped up? Max size is about .75" I guess even if they got chopped in half they would still be big enough for a quick snack from my fish.

I'll get pictures up when I finish her today. I just need to plumb it.
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