Diy Refugium

[craigybaby37]

Ime thinkin of having a go at making a diy refugium for mt new tank set up and just need to ask a few final questions before i have a go building it. Ill be wanting to build the hang on type which will be outside the aquarium.

1: May sound silly but how will the water get into and then back out of the refugium?? will the water get into the fuge by a siphon effect by simply using a piece of pipe?? and will it then get back into the tank by a pump ime guessing??

2: hopefully with the previous question clear to me how is it that the you get the ammount of water going into the fuge and the water going out at the same rate?? just incase u dont understand that i meen how is it that u make sure that the same ammount of water is going into the fuge as is whats going out so that you dont overflow the fuge and have a flood or run it completely dry of water as the pump is pumping out more water than whats going into the fuge??

3: and finally whats the score with lighting do you need a light on 24/7 or will a light being on during normall tank lighting hours be ok??

 

[BigC]

Hi,
Im tossing this ball in the air too regarding employing a refugium see start of build
http/www.fishforums.net/content-page/202...-Reef/page/220/

the hang on type would have a powerhead to get the water from the main tank into the ref. and a larger hole/pipe at the other end would return the water to the tank (see pic)

http/www.cleartides.com/refugiums.htm

If your going to grow macro algae such as Cheato in there to combat other nuisance algae forms the a light on 24/7 would have to be employed to combat photosynthetic processes which inturn have effect on the chemical balances in your tank such as pH
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Nano-Ree...g-For-Refugium/

The main reason I'm going down the refugium route is exactly to starve nuisance algae and stabilise the pH and other relative balances, also its much easier to dose additives via the refugium.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

I agree with BigC. Hang on refugiums are usually better off to be purchased than made yourself. The options out there for purchase are very cheap and effective. If you can fit the commercial options, go with those

 

[craigybaby37]

been looking on ebay and there are a few people who will make them to your size needed so may give that a go.