How would you do this?

bellusangel3 · #1 10/26/2007, 11:13 AM

How would you turn this sump into a refugium? Without it costing more than just buying a refugium or the sump itself. It cost us $375 for this sump.

albert2k · #2 10/26/2007, 12:16 PM

That curve could be a problem for a good Refugio. I recommend you that you buy some acrylic and put all at the same level.

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H20ENG · #3 10/26/2007, 07:18 PM

You can remove the floss, drip plate, and any media, then add some sand and a screened baffle to keep the macro in there.
You can always drop in a small rubbermaid tub that fits.
I have a small CPR tank that used to have a built in wet dry in the back. I made a box out of 1/8" acrylic that simply drops in place of the biobale. Instant refugium

angel2007 · #4 10/26/2007, 07:32 PM

I have the same sump. but i don't use the skimmer that comes with. Hope what you are trying out works for you, I would like to see pics when you are done.

bellusangel3 · #5 10/30/2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by angel2007
I have the same sump. but i don't use the skimmer that comes with.

I know huh.. the skimmer that comes with the sump doesn't work very good. I have to keep an air pump connected to it to keep it working. I even have to put some weights on the lid of the skimmer to keep it from poping off. Some times the air hose gets clogs with salt. So, we have to suck the salt water up through the air hose and blow it back to get the skimmer working again. Its a piece of junk I tell ya. I really want to get a better skimmer. What skimmer do you use?

Where can I get some acrylic? Can I get it from Lowes? How would I attach it to the sump..I'm thinking aquarium glue wouldn't work. I don't know how to work with acrylic. help please

I know I have to cover this hole some how.

bellusangel3 · #6 10/30/2007, 02:30 PM

messed around with paint..

an idea of what I would like it to look like

angel2007 · #7 10/30/2007, 04:56 PM

that looks good. I don't have the experience to know if that would work. I use a coralife skimmer i use this one. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...t~ES33000.html

But save your money not that good, its ok but I wish I would of gone with something different. Ill take a pic of how I made mine work.

sabbath · #8 10/30/2007, 05:41 PM

Yea good idea.

ihopss · #9 10/30/2007, 06:41 PM

You will need to findout howmuch water will drain back inn if the pump is shutoff,and put your overflow low enough to accommodate the extra water.You can use a piece of plexiglass on the inside and let it overflow their into your return, instead of the box contraption you drew,( their just some more ideas for you to ponder over).

ihopss · #10 10/30/2007, 06:49 PM

You will need to findout howmuch water will drain back inn if the pump is shutoff,and put your overflow low enough to accommodate the extra water.You can use a piece of plexiglass on the inside(refug)and let it overflow their into your return, instead of the box contraption you drew,( their just some more ideas for you to ponder over).And your skimmer can be a fairly good skimmer with a few mod's and a good refug.

ihopss · #11 10/30/2007, 06:57 PM

Read the second post, the first was a mistake!

ihopss · #12 10/30/2007, 06:57 PM

Read the second post, the first was a mistake!

angel2007 · #13 10/30/2007, 08:04 PM

here are some pics

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/c...7/DSCF2482.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/c...7/DSCF2481.jpg

angel2007 · #14 10/30/2007, 08:09 PM

After 45min I was able to post some pics, I'm glad that it works...

ChemE · #15 10/30/2007, 09:23 PM

I started out with that same POS as my sump too. The skimmer is uber garbage; my sympathies. I ditched the drip plate, floss, bio balls and polishing sponge and put a big chunk of chaeto in the middle section. I then used a MJ600 in the return section pointing back into the middle section to induce the chaeto to tumble. I used a 5100K spiral PC bulb in a cheap clip-on mount to light the chaeto on a reverse photo period. Finally, I smashed that skimmer into 1000 pieces (seriously) and made an incredibly cheap skimmer out of parts from the plumbing section of HD and stuck it in an empty IO bucket which fed the sump. The skimmer was 6 Lee's limewood airstones powered by 2 Whisper 60's. The skimmer drew 4 watts total according to my Kill-A-Watt. Here are some pictures of the skimmer in the IO bucket.

angel2007 · #16 10/30/2007, 11:13 PM

I paid $450 for the sump, 55gallon tank, stand, glass top, a cheap light. I don't think it was that bad of a deal. I think what I'm going to do is covert my old 20g into a refugium. I don't see the point in putting more money on this tank, as soon as I get my house I'm going all out. I'm talking big.. But I would still like to keep this 55 for my office or study room.

bellusangel3 · #17 10/31/2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ihopss
You will need to findout howmuch water will drain back inn if the pump is shutoff,and put your overflow low enough to accommodate the extra water.You can use a piece of plexiglass on the inside(refug)and let it overflow their into your return, instead of the box contraption you drew,( their just some more ideas for you to ponder over).And your skimmer can be a fairly good skimmer with a few mod's and a good refug.

How about I just add extra water to the refugium part..I only thought of the box to drain into from the holes because I didn't want bubbles to form and return to the tank. Does anyone think that this design won't work?

Where can I get some acrylic?

sabbath · #18 10/31/2007, 03:30 PM

You can get acrylic at most hardware store or lowes....

bellusangel3 · #19 11/01/2007, 10:21 AM

ok ..thanks sabbath...so does anyone think this set up won't work?

bellusangel3 · #20 12/02/2007, 01:53 PM

Refugium is up and running..I did the design I planned for and it works just like I wanted it to.

bellusangel3 · #21 12/02/2007, 01:56 PM

Here is some pics

MSU Fan · #22 12/02/2007, 04:25 PM

Good job! I hope that it works out for you!!! I recently converted an acrylic wet dry filter over as well.