Revv65
Community Member
I started my first saltwater tank with an external canister filter. I had a well cycled freshwater set up and decided to basically add salt and run it. After doing some research and talking to one the reputable LFS that specializes in reef set ups, I did just that with good success.
During a treatment and fallow period of my set up, I had been entertaining the idea of a refugium. Added water capacity and making for a cleaner display both were positive attributes. Being somewhat handy and like tinkering with DIY projects, I dove in with building a 20g long "fuge". I also wanted to keep it fairly simple and effective.
I bought a new 20g long aquarium and found a DYI sump kit with a single inlet. I looked at some set ups and got some ideas from internet sources and these forums. I also bought a quality return pump, sock filter and sponge filter to complete the "sump" as it were.
I also bought a hang on back (HOB) overflow box with single outlet. I wasn't going to drill this tank so that was my only option.
Installing the kit was pretty straightforward as I have had sumps for my big freshwater tanks in the past and knew how they were laid out.
I acquired some frag starter reef rubble and also used live sand in the main chamber. I also installed a foam filter in the first chamber that was running in th tank for aeration and also had a good healthy amount of my beneficial bacteria.
Finding pvc fittings was entertaining to say the least. Bulkhead fittings at the local hardware store?? Yah, right. But I put some things together and made it work.
Here are a few pics of the process. It's been running for a week now and working great.
During a treatment and fallow period of my set up, I had been entertaining the idea of a refugium. Added water capacity and making for a cleaner display both were positive attributes. Being somewhat handy and like tinkering with DIY projects, I dove in with building a 20g long "fuge". I also wanted to keep it fairly simple and effective.
I bought a new 20g long aquarium and found a DYI sump kit with a single inlet. I looked at some set ups and got some ideas from internet sources and these forums. I also bought a quality return pump, sock filter and sponge filter to complete the "sump" as it were.
I also bought a hang on back (HOB) overflow box with single outlet. I wasn't going to drill this tank so that was my only option.
Installing the kit was pretty straightforward as I have had sumps for my big freshwater tanks in the past and knew how they were laid out.
I acquired some frag starter reef rubble and also used live sand in the main chamber. I also installed a foam filter in the first chamber that was running in th tank for aeration and also had a good healthy amount of my beneficial bacteria.
Finding pvc fittings was entertaining to say the least. Bulkhead fittings at the local hardware store?? Yah, right. But I put some things together and made it work.
Here are a few pics of the process. It's been running for a week now and working great.
