A DIY refugium addition to a small sump

[Fernthereefer]

Hi,

This will be my first thread. I wanted to post the construction of my refugium because I have not seen a similar setup. Although the idea is well out there to have a separate compartment for a refugium. Thus, the uniqueness of this setup is not the idea, but the execution in my view.

I started a few month back with the terrible idea to start a mixed reef on a CORNER, tempered glass (not drilled) 54 gallon aquarium. Of course, being a corner aquarium, the cabinet size is ridiculously miniscule (There a a ton of threads on which sump to fit, etc).

Anyways, terrible combination, but I like challenges. I cleaned the cabinet, repainted and put white vynil coating on the inside (also siliconed the sides with aquarium silicone I white). It helps with a small spill, but its not 100% waterproof.

First off, I did my plumbing, using a CPR overflow box (used, but functional). I have 1 drain go down to an RS-75 Eshopps sump (Yes, I left the DIY for the rest, sorry guys)... PS: the sump was supposed to be all white but because of a mis-ap in shipment (arrived broken), I got a 4th gen one instead which is yellow...

Then, on the return, I added a T where it branches to the display or to.... a ball valve. (See images).

Now, for the fun part: I took an old pentagonal plastic betta tank (one of these old cheap things that should not be sold for fish-keeping) and added a side bulkhead. I covered 3 out of 5 sides with white vynil and made an acrylic top. (Also painted the plastic rims red to match the paint of the PVC I did.

I then placed the return line that goes all-the-way to the bottom of the plastic box, and the water overflows on the bulhead to return to the sump.

See next post for results.

 

[Fernthereefer]

It took a while to find the lamp I wanted, given the weird setup. I found them on amazon, these are 2 LED for plant growth with 3 settings and a 3, 6 or 12 hours mode. (Super cheap by the way).

The flow is controlled by the pvc valve, but is limited to the size of the return line (1/2 inch) which I may increase on the long run because the bulkhead is 3/4 inch. I just used 1/2 because I had the proper connector on hand.

Now for the results, 4 months in:

.... cannot detect phosphates and nitrates. (I am also running a Eshopps X-120 which I LOVE) and carbon.

Now this is a problem, as I aim to have at least 5 ppm nitrates and trace phosphates. Of course, the test I use, Red Sea Pro Nitrate and Phosphates is limited as it is colorimetric. But anyways, I started dosing a little. With time, will it be too small ? maybe, but it is not filtering by itself.

I have the lights on 12hrs reverse cycle, Cheato in the refugium along with aquaforest biomedia and a ton of pods (seeded them a few months back and they love it).

SO this is my DIY refugium for a weird space. It keeps it clean and tighty. Left space for a media reactor or dosing.

Thanks for watching. Any comment appreciated!

 

[Fernthereefer]

Oh.... and I forgot to show the tank:

 

[R.Weller]

Well done.

 

[Fernthereefer]

Thanks. Time will tell if it will be sufficient.

I don't plan on overstocking the tank anyways. I like the use of negative space in tanks. I think it gives perspective. I particularly like how the Australians and (some) Germans do their tanks.

 

[Ky_acc]

@Fernthereefer

Hey there nice setup, really like the minimal scape.

quick question for you — do you by chance have a measurement for the length of your RS-75 sump?

some places say 18” long and some say 20” long — I’m working with a super tight space so just want to know if it would fit my system.

thanks keep up the great work!

 

[Fernthereefer]

@Fernthereefer

Hey there nice setup, really like the minimal scape.

quick question for you — do you by chance have a measurement for the length of your RS-75 sump?

some places say 18” long and some say 20” long — I’m working with a super tight space so just want to know if it would fit my system.

thanks keep up the great work!

Thanks.

So I just measured the RS-75 I have. Its the latest 4th gen (yellow acrylic). Its 18" by 10".

 

[Amaroq]

Love what you came up with. I keep thinking about how to add a small seperate fuge to my system as well. One question/concern? If you were to have a power outage and the return pump shuts off, does that fuge siphon back into the sump through your bottom flow design?

 

[ichthyoid]

I have a stand alone ~8 gallon refugium that is being plumbed into a Trigger sump. I sourced a Chinese red-blue grow light which fits the fuge’s ‘window’ almost perfectly. The light is a 40 watt flat panel. If it doesn’t work well enough, I’ll upsize it.

 

[Pistondog]

Well done sir.
The results might speak for themselves.
Those pods will be blind, I also have a pink horticulture light close the the water in my fuge.
You might have to block the light spill to minimize coraline and other algea in the mechanical section.

 

[ichthyoid]

I’m planning to build an enclosure for the LED, to trap the light so it’s all coupled into the fuge’s window.

Also, this system has two separate tanks and 3 separate stands. The fuge goes into its own stand, separate from the sump. They are IM50 & IM25 EXT Lagoons. The 50 is a display & 25 frags. Apex goes in 3rd stand.

Also, might eventually add a 3rd small tank. I’ve wanted a pair of Jawfish ever since I was a kid. They are just too stinkin cute! Little comics, those guys

 

[Fernthereefer]

Love what you came up with. I keep thinking about how to add a small seperate fuge to my system as well. One question/concern? If you were to have a power outage and the return pump shuts off, does that fuge siphon back into the sump through your bottom flow design?

No, because I placed it over the sump, it flows downwards.

Moreover, I made a hole in the return tube to the sump, where you see the tube go down.
Tested it multiple times, no problem so far.

 

[ichthyoid]

My fuge has 2 overflows, a primary & backup. Was planning to also put an Apex optical overflow sensor on it, until I read their reviews.

It’s a Lifereef Liferefugium, 7.8 gal size about 9% of system volume.

Lifereef Retail Price List

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Well done!

 

[Ky_acc]

Thanks.

So I just measured the RS-75 I have. Its the latest 4th gen (yellow acrylic). Its 18" by 10".

awesome thanks for the measurement, the website is wrong and lists the length as 20” — 18 will fit way better in my cabinet.

thanks again!

 

[Fernthereefer]

So a little update on the refugium:

Everything is holding out, but I realized that the cheap grow light LED I bought for it from amazon may be causing issues in the tank. *I am waiting for an ICP test. Long story short, I realized my sps started slowly bleaching recently. I went through the usual list of suspects (PO4, Nitrates, Alk or calcium swings, etc) and did not have a clear answer... until I realized that the arms of the LED lamps are rusting big time.

THese are the black arms you see passing over the sump and the small refugium. So I had to remove them and am currently looking for an alternative.

As soon as the ICP test comes in I will show the value. regardless, any ideas on an alternative that could fit the "peculiar" refugium I made ? Not an easy one I fear.....

 

[Fernthereefer]

Another update.

Yep, the ICP came back with high aluminium and antimony. Lost a few corals, but aggressive water changes and Seachem cuprisorb and Rox carbon saved the rest. Guess its the risk of DIY setups!

So I decided to remove all metal from the lamps. Turned out easier than I though. Now the refugium is back on track.

After increasing the feedings (added an automatic feeder) and fish stock in the tank, I now stand at a rock solid 0.25 ppm Nitrates and 0.02 ppm PO4. It is low, but acceptable in my view, especially since it as been solid for the past 3 months.

 

[Fernthereefer]

As of today:
The bottle are unsightly. This will be my next DIY project.