How can I make a refugium for this?

ScottyD36 · Oct 18, 2020

Hi, I have a 13.5 gallon Evo all in one saltwater tank. I wanted to build a small refugium for it because I am battling excess nutrients. I am looking for some idea that I can do with this current setup. Below is a picture of my tank. Any thoughts ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Ron Reefman · Oct 18, 2020

How about this, rather than a fuge, add a nice decrotive macro algae to the tank? I kept some red macro algae in the back corner of a 20g tank for a long time. Attached to a rock so I could pull it out every few months and cut it back about 50%. It worked very well for nitrate and phosphate control.

Cabinetman · Oct 18, 2020

They make hang on fuges but if being pretty isn’t important a 5 gallon bucket set along side with a tiny pump feeding it will be cheap and easy.

BillyKVT · Oct 18, 2020

For my 20 nano I added an AquaMaxx reactor which I wrapped in an led strip. Added chaeto and it grows like crazy. Also nice place for copepods to hang out. I also bought a smart outlet to run a reverse light cycle. I just had to slowly acclimate the chaeto to it because in the beginning it was turning yellow.

ScottyD36 · Oct 18, 2020

Ron Reefman said:
How about this, rather than a fuge, add a nice decrotive macro algae to the tank? I kept some red macro algae in the back corner of a 20g tank for a long time. Attached to a rock so I could pull it out every few months and cut it back about 50%. It worked very well for nitrate and phosphate control.

I think this is what I am going to do. I like this idea a lot. What macro algae did you use?

KorD · Oct 18, 2020

Look up hang on fuge. It will be external, but they work for smaller tanks

Spare time · Oct 18, 2020

I would maybe get some filter media or what not. In a tank that size, filter media is more convenient than other means of waste export. An algae reactor would work or you could try a nano skimmer if you don't have one.

leighla wolf · Oct 18, 2020

So I have the evo 13.5. (Sorry for the salt stains I just moved my tank) but you can see what I did and it’s pretty freaking great. ;Shamefullyembarrased I took a long piece of sponge to act as a filter,(this is in the second chamber after my skimmer) andthere are marine blocks at thebottom to housecopepods and help breed them through the tank, then chaeto. On the outside I used Velcro on a cheap light from amazon (gotfor like 20$ on sale) and have it on a timerso it’s reverse schedule to the prime light I’m settingup on the tank. It worksgreat. I occasionally takemy long tweezers and flip the chaetobut the lights STRONG.here’s some links to the stuff I got.

hope it helps!
Here is the light I bought and stuck on a timer:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LX1EO3W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Ps. I got the AlgaeBarn kit. For 100$ its got everything you need. Pods, cubes, phyto, and clean chaeto!

The Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack by AlgaeBarn

The Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack comes with everything you need to cycle, set up, and seed your refugium. Free Shipping & 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee!

www.algaebarn.com

https://vaquatics.net/products/mari...un6oI_kJjP12G7170uom_DMsUen5boWhoCTygQAvD_BwE

ScottyD36 · Oct 18, 2020

leighla wolf said:
So I have the evo 13.5. (Sorry for the salt stains I just moved my tank) but you can see what I did and it’s pretty freaking great. ;Shamefullyembarrased I took a long piece of sponge to act as a filter,(this is in the second chamber after my skimmer) andthere are marine blocks at thebottom to housecopepods and help breed them through the tank, then chaeto. On the outside I used Velcro on a cheap light from amazon (gotfor like 20$ on sale) and have it on a timerso it’s reverse schedule to the prime light I’m settingup on the tank. It worksgreat. I occasionally takemy long tweezers and flip the chaetobut the lights STRONG.here’s some links to the stuff I got. hope it helps!
Here is the light I bought and stuck on a timer:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LX1EO3W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Ps. I got the AlgaeBarn kit. For 100$ its got everything you need. Pods, cubes, phyto, and clean chaeto!

The Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack by AlgaeBarn

The Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack comes with everything you need to cycle, set up, and seed your refugium. Free Shipping & 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee!

www.algaebarn.com

https://vaquatics.net/products/mari...un6oI_kJjP12G7170uom_DMsUen5boWhoCTygQAvD_BwE

This is a very cool set up. What do you have in the third chamber where the pumps is.

Conchman · Oct 18, 2020

Like every one has said, HOB, actual overflow (Lifereef), pump in a bucket. I am struggling wrapping my head around (excess nutrients) in a 13.5 gallon tank, when a five gallon bucket is likely a 50% after change, 2 or 3 days in a row should knock it to almost nothing...I would look to why I had excess nutrients in the first place and try and control them...

leighla wolf · Oct 18, 2020

ScottyD36 said:
This is a very cool set up. What do you have in the third chamber where the pumps is.

In the third chamber I switch in and out carbon or chemipure or even phosguard depending on my perimeters (I feed way to heavily) reef roids and SA pellets and my chaeto helps but grows like a beast. My clowns are a little fat since I feed like like 2x a day heavily. I also upgraded my pump to a sicce (up to 300 gph) and changed my wavemaker from the koralias I had to the hygger mini wavemaker (totally awesome and super low profile)! It’s also programmable to be like ocean tides and GREAT for keeping detritus build up in the tank as well as for corals.

leighla wolf · Oct 18, 2020

Conchman said:
Like every one has said, HOB, actual overflow (Lifereef), pump in a bucket. I am struggling wrapping my head around (excess nutrients) in a 13.5 gallon tank, when a five gallon bucket is likely a 50% after change, 2 or 3 days in a row should knock it to almost nothing...I would look to why I had excess nutrients in the first place and try and control them...

What is your tank stock/ setup

Ron Reefman · Oct 18, 2020

ScottyD36 said:
I think this is what I am going to do. I like this idea a lot. What macro algae did you use?

I don't recall the specific algae. It was red and grew from a single stalk like a bush or a tree. It was something I brought home from a beach walk.

You would do well to contact Gulf Coast Eco Systems. They collect in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic and carry a wide variety. Tell them what you want it to do and they will help you.