DIY unusual Refugium

Discussion in 'Refugium' started by RoloSaez, Jun 5, 2013.

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  1. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    LOL I like advice. Helps with the confusing parts.
     
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  3. Zgetman

    Zgetman Ritteri Anemone

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    Sorry, but I drew that baffles wrong in my last sketch. The baffles should be no less than 1" apart to limit the flow, the closer they are together the faster the flow to the pump section is. The slower the flow the more time micro bubbles have to reach the surface and pop, before getting to your pump. Here is an updated image. The height of the first and third baffle determines how much water is in the skimmer section.

    This is not scaled to any size, just a rough drawing.
    [​IMG]

    The fuge tank can be any height you want it to be, as long as it is above the water line, since you are just letting the water flow out of it. I would plumb it so that the water enters the fuge from the bottom, so that the flow goes from bottom to top.
     
  4. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    Drilled the tank today!

    Thanks Zgetman I appreciate the help with this. I drilled it out today and glued the bottom pane back on the tank. Gonna reseal the insides later this week.
     

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  5. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    last image.
     

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  6. Zgetman

    Zgetman Ritteri Anemone

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    Sweet, so you are building this and sending to my house right? lol

    Just kidding, kind of.... Anyways I am to scared to drill glass. I would brake it, but you did a fine job.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2013
  7. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    If you were just a little closer I would definitely help you build one. LOL

    It's easier than it looks though. First, you get the bit started with a firm hand and very slow speed. Then you tape the inside to catch the cut piece and prevent it from falling and breaking the other side. Then I took that putty and wrapped it around where the hole was gonna be and filled it with water. Then finally with a very low speed on the drill let the bit do its thing. You just hold it in place and the bit will slowly grind the glass away. Once the water starts dripping through I stop and have someone pour water as I drill the rest of the way. Then clean it all off and sand the edges to remove any sharp edges. I used aluminum tape and emery cloth sand paper. If you have a spare piece of ceramic tile practice on that first same concept there.
     
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  9. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    Sump and new pump is in!

    So I was fixing the other 55g tank and noticed it was more work than it was worth. So I headed to Craigslist and found one for 50 bucks and started over. I worked on it all day Saturday and Sunday and finished it tonight. Needs some more work getting the ATO hooked up and the reservoir barrel set up again. Resealed the corners, marked and taped where the cut glass was going. Drilled a new hole for the bulkhead. Put it all together. It has a very slow leak by the bulkhead to scared to over tighten it so I will just put some silicone around it neatly hopefully that helps.
     

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  10. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    Bought a WYE fitting and ran spa flex from the pump to the WYE then it goes to 3/4 inch Much more flow. I have to raise the salinity again it's currently at 1.018 I only have two fish in the tank at the moment. How can I raise it slowly. Filling the barrel now with RO water and will mix salt in it over night. Hopefully they will ok till then. The hole by the WYE I will be fixing that also very soon to make it look better.
     

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  11. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    I just need some algae for the fuge.
     

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  12. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    What am I missing? What determines the level in the fuge? How does it drain?

    Also, you do not want your water falling over the bubble traps... it makes more bubbles. With the distance you have, you should be OK, but keeping enough water in the return section to be close to the trap level will minimize bubbles and noise.