waverider
Active Member
How to Easily turn an Aquaclear/Fluval Hang-on-back filter into a clean, lightproof LED Refugium:
Here are some photos of what it looks like when completed
Lighting
My take on this common design is based on utilizing the Aquaclear/FLuval hang-on-back filter to create a clean, lightproof box that maximizes space and lighting for Chaeto Algae growth:
1) General Aquarium Silicone is used to join the parts of the original Aquaclear media basket in a new configuration that provides an overflow gate and an influx gate
2) Cut the original media basket into three pieces. Use the bottom as an overflow gate to fit along the top and set the gate about 1/2" inch below the top to allow for water overflow incase the Chaeto basket were ever to become clogged. Use one of the sides to create the influx gate. -As shown. Be neat as you can with the Silicone. Then let it dry for a few hours. If you have excess, cut it with a knife and peel it away.
(Silicone Tip: Dispense a peanut size amount of silicone at the bottom of each joint and pull it flush with your finger. Repeat as neccessary. The silicone joints will be cleaner if you just use a small peanut size goop and work it up the joint with your finger. Wipe your hands often with paper towels and wash them with soap as you go to help prevent a mess. Be sparing with the silicone and try and work it into place with a swipe of your finger.)
For a full size Chaeto basket you should arrive at something like this ^^
Lighting! I found this Daylight/Blue adjustable light with timer and dimmer on Amazon for about $11. It works perfectly.
It included choosing between white only, blue only, and white/blue mix and included 8 hour/10 hour/12 hour timer and 10%-100% power options.
In my case I submerged the light directly in the mini refugium chamber because I did not have any space space behind my tank, but the light could easily be attached to the side or back with duct tape if you have the wall clearance space.
.
(if you hare mounting the light externally you want to duct tape it so that it doesnt emit any light into the display tank room as you will often want the refugium light on long after tank lights have gone off.
Lighting
Star blacking out the lid with duct tape so you can view your tank at night without the refugium lights illuminating the tank.
use beads of silicone to attach strips of aluminum foil to the outside of the filter. The foil shall bounce light around inside the Chaeto chamber. And since the foil is on the outside and will be wrapped in duct tape it wont concern our tank water.
Use a dill to create a notch for the light chord if you are placing the light INSIDE the chamber. If the light is to go outside you wont need this. If the light is to go outside you just need to secure the light using duct tape and since the light has nearly zero heat you can just wrap it up entirely in duct tape at the position of your choice.
Wrap the entire filter in duct tape paying attention to the lip inside the cover and all the walls of foil. Light it up and use duct tape to cover any places where light may bleed from.
Place the light inside or outside. If your placing the light outside dont forget to encase it in duct tape;
Finished product
Works like a charm, silent, even flow and circulates your Chaeto in a bed of light.
If you are careful with the duct tape job, you will have a fully lit Chaeto filter that you can enjoy during all phases of lighting and darkness
Lighting
Here are some photos of what it looks like when completed
Lighting
My take on this common design is based on utilizing the Aquaclear/FLuval hang-on-back filter to create a clean, lightproof box that maximizes space and lighting for Chaeto Algae growth:
1) General Aquarium Silicone is used to join the parts of the original Aquaclear media basket in a new configuration that provides an overflow gate and an influx gate
2) Cut the original media basket into three pieces. Use the bottom as an overflow gate to fit along the top and set the gate about 1/2" inch below the top to allow for water overflow incase the Chaeto basket were ever to become clogged. Use one of the sides to create the influx gate. -As shown. Be neat as you can with the Silicone. Then let it dry for a few hours. If you have excess, cut it with a knife and peel it away.
(Silicone Tip: Dispense a peanut size amount of silicone at the bottom of each joint and pull it flush with your finger. Repeat as neccessary. The silicone joints will be cleaner if you just use a small peanut size goop and work it up the joint with your finger. Wipe your hands often with paper towels and wash them with soap as you go to help prevent a mess. Be sparing with the silicone and try and work it into place with a swipe of your finger.)
For a full size Chaeto basket you should arrive at something like this ^^
Lighting! I found this Daylight/Blue adjustable light with timer and dimmer on Amazon for about $11. It works perfectly.
It included choosing between white only, blue only, and white/blue mix and included 8 hour/10 hour/12 hour timer and 10%-100% power options.
In my case I submerged the light directly in the mini refugium chamber because I did not have any space space behind my tank, but the light could easily be attached to the side or back with duct tape if you have the wall clearance space.
.
(if you hare mounting the light externally you want to duct tape it so that it doesnt emit any light into the display tank room as you will often want the refugium light on long after tank lights have gone off.
Lighting
Star blacking out the lid with duct tape so you can view your tank at night without the refugium lights illuminating the tank.
use beads of silicone to attach strips of aluminum foil to the outside of the filter. The foil shall bounce light around inside the Chaeto chamber. And since the foil is on the outside and will be wrapped in duct tape it wont concern our tank water.
Use a dill to create a notch for the light chord if you are placing the light INSIDE the chamber. If the light is to go outside you wont need this. If the light is to go outside you just need to secure the light using duct tape and since the light has nearly zero heat you can just wrap it up entirely in duct tape at the position of your choice.
Wrap the entire filter in duct tape paying attention to the lip inside the cover and all the walls of foil. Light it up and use duct tape to cover any places where light may bleed from.
Place the light inside or outside. If your placing the light outside dont forget to encase it in duct tape;
Finished product
Works like a charm, silent, even flow and circulates your Chaeto in a bed of light.
If you are careful with the duct tape job, you will have a fully lit Chaeto filter that you can enjoy during all phases of lighting and darkness
Lighting
