Help, refugium won't fit

boozerell · #1 01/05/2008, 07:28 AM

On my 55 gallon, I want to add a refugium, so I ordered one that will fit in the cabinet. Problem is, the center beam, that the two door rest against isn't allowing me to slide the refugium in because of the length. My options are to temporarily remove this center brace or take the tank down and drop it in from the top. Anyone know if this center brace is crucial and what kind of mess I could get into? I hate the thought of taking the tank down, but may be the safer way to go. My chemistry in the tank is perfect, do you think taking the tank down and stirring things up, will ruin this? Another option would be to have the refugium at one end of the tank, out in the open...probably wouldn't look great.

My next thought was to use this refugium on a 30 gallon freshwater that I want to convert to salt. If I did this, does anyone know the dimensions of a 10 gallon aquarium? I had thought about getting 2- 10 gallon aquariums, have them drilled together and using that under the 55 gallon? It's only 10 inches wide under the cabinet.

sweetpea355 · #2 01/05/2008, 07:42 AM

Check out Melves reef.com I think he shows how to make a brace so you can remove the center brace and the replace it back. As far as the 10g 20x10x12 (lxwxh).

sweetpea355 · #3 01/05/2008, 07:44 AM

Sorry thats Melev's reef.com

bergzy · #4 01/05/2008, 01:14 PM

i just use a 5g bucket for my refugium. pretty hard to beat for $5(?). throw in about 600gph of rotational flow with a good strong 6500k pc light right on top...and you should be growing chaeto like warren buffet grows money!!!

this is my external model. i have since placed this inside a 65g pvc barrel filled with lr.

here it is in action:

colotl · #5 01/05/2008, 03:50 PM

I took mine off and nothing happened. The height between the top frame and bottom was the same. No sag.
I don't recommened leaving off for long. put the fuge in quickly and the brace.
I don't screw the brace back on because I slide it left to right when I do maintenance.

boozerell · #6 01/05/2008, 05:50 PM

The 5 gallon bucket is pretty cool.
Well I prayed and my husband removed the brace long enough to slide the sump in. All went well!
What about the micro bubbles? They seem to be getting better the longer it runs, but what do I do if they don't resolve? I'm thinking this is just going to be during the break in period. What have others experienced?

bmullikin1 · #7 01/05/2008, 08:35 PM

just put mine in thru the side, was able to remove it by taking out the three panels on a all glass stand.

Percula9 · #8 01/06/2008, 01:05 AM

I also have a 55 gal, it sits on a stand with an open back with no brace. I built a 10 gal sump refugium. Front doors to narrow to put sump in. I had to put it thru the back. Only one problem, tank to close to wall to slip tank in the back. All I needed was 2 more inches of clearance. I drained enough water out to allow the tank to be inched forward. I was now able to put the sump in and the rest is history.