"Bunk-bed" Refugium

[salmon alley]

Hi all,
I'm setting up a couple of refugiums in an 'over-under' type configuration. Specifically, the top fuge will be fed by a line off of the main pump. Water will then overflow into the lower refugium, which will then overflow into the sump.
Are there any specific problems that need to be addressed when planning this type of config?

Will having the overflow pipe from the top fuge extend down below the water level of the second tank cause problems?
(the feed line will be 1/2" and the overflow line 1")

Thanks for the help

[Hef]

I've got no advice, but would like to see the setup after you do it.

[Glass World]

Originally posted by salmon alley
Hi all,
I'm setting up a couple of refugiums in an 'over-under' type configuration. Specifically, the top fuge will be fed by a line off of the main pump. Water will then overflow into the lower refugium, which will then overflow into the sump.
Are there any specific problems that need to be addressed when planning this type of config?


Should be fine. The only possible problem that I can see is that the lower refugium needs to be higher than the sump for this to work.


Will having the overflow pipe from the top fuge extend down below the water level of the second tank cause problems?
(the feed line will be 1/2" and the overflow line 1")

That's not a problem, but you might get some bubbles in the bottom refugium.

Good luck

[MartyDW]

heres my best guess at what your trying to do, if so it should work. crude pic but you should get the idea.

[MartyDW]

heres my best guess at what your trying to do, if so it should work. crude pic but you should get the idea.



Edit: not sure why this posted twice could be my browser its been acting funny this morning.

[pmcustom]

what are the advantages of having two seperate refugiums?

[Glass World]

Originally posted by pmcustom
what are the advantages of having two seperate refugiums?

My guess is that it's a space thing... or maybe he already has the two tanks. Other than that, I don't think there really is an advantage.

[MartyDW]

couple of advantages but biggest is more water volume in the same size footprint.

[salmon alley]

Glassworld is right..it's a space issue. I've got space vertically, but don't have room for a large footprint, so instead of having a really deep tank that light doesn't penetrate, I'm going to have one which is high light for macros and one which is low light as a pod breeding ground and (hopefully) sponge habitat.

[pmcustom]

i see...sounds like a good plan :)

[Earl87gta]

That what I have check out picks here just make sure you have a wall built up to keep the water deep enough in the top sump and one to keep air bubles from the return pump in the bottom one. pics are atg the bottom of the post
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2406841#post2406841
Hope it helps

[DvSkIn]

Very nice, I dont see why it wouldnt work.. I did something pretty simialr.. Here' s a look see..

http://dvskin.smugmug.com/photos/1285772-M.jpg

And a shot of the stand, b4 it was painted..
http://dvskin.smugmug.com/photos/1076463-M.jpg

http://dvskin.smugmug.com/photos/1076464-M.jpg

Here's a diagram of what my plumbing looks like.. It's kinda crazy, cuz I have a closed loop isntalled on a 40 breeder as well.. Anyway, where it is
http://dvskin.smugmug.com/photos/1868662-M.jpg



DvS

[drock59]

Sure seems like a good idea. keep us posted.

[CJerome21]

One thing you might want to consider is seting it up so that you can bypass the first or the second fuge. This way if you have a DSB or some thing you can change one out while maintaining flow to your system and the other fuge. At the least this would entale being able to run some flex PVC from the main drain around fuge number 1 to number 2, or being able to run flex PVC from fuge #1 drain to the sump.

Just and idea

Jerome