Help with plumbing

[zxcv123]

we just picked up the pvc for the plumbing.
24' of 1" pvc, Three bags of elbos, one bag of tees, and three ball valves, 3 unions.
3/4" pvc 12'

now there will be a 29 gal sump with 3 compartments. were getting glass cut for baffles today,
first compartment = skimmer
2= settle out area and heater
3= return chamber

I want to do a reugium but it wont fit in the sump.
what are my options as to incorperation a fuge in the system plumbing,

Could I use both the holes for drains instead of one for the return, and have 1 drain go to the main sump, one to the fuge, and two seperate return pumps back to the tank over the top?
any other ideas ?

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by zxcv123

I want to do a reugium but it wont fit in the sump. What are my options as to incorperation a fuge in the system plumbing? Could I use both the holes for drains instead of one for the return, and have 1 drain go to the main sump, one to the fuge, and two seperate return pumps back to the tank over the top?

Any other ideas ?

That would work, but instead, depending on how much flow you would want through the display, you could use this same concept to up your flow through the main tank (like for a stony coral reeftop biotope) to have really good flow through the tank. This would suspend much of the detrital mulm that would form otherwise on the bottom in eddies and on the rock. This would be more important in bb husbandry tanks, allowing you to use a powerhead to blast under the rock, and the extra throughput of the main pump to blow over your rock to move this extra flow down the drins with the detritus suspended in the oveflows waters to your skimmer.

An alternative to placing a refugium in the path of this high main tank flow is to place a smaller container with a light on top above the sump and use a powerhead submersed in the sump to move flow into the refugium. Use a simple drain drilled in the bottom with an overflow tube in it to set the depth of your refugium. Gravity will then drain the refugium through the overfluw tube back into the sump at whtever flow rate you decide on with your powerhead.


HTH

[zxcv123]

how do I get a fuge on top of my sump?
What holds the weight?

[tdwyatt]

The 10 step Program to Refugium Installation

1. Go to wallyworld
2. Get a tupperware, Rubbermaid, or similar container that is the waterproof size you want for your refugium
3. Go to Home Despot
4. Get some 1/2 " plywood cut about an inch larger thn the top of the container you bought in 2 above (this is going to be yur base for the refugium, if you have a saw at home you can do this there, of course)
5. go home an place the plywood above your sump, make sure there is room for all the other hoses, etc., to clear the plywood, if not, put legs on the plywood and place it over the sump for clearance check.
6. place the refugium from 2 above, check for clearance to the sides and back
7. drill a hole for the drain's bulkhead (you have these laying around the house, I'm sure ), make sure it will allow for drainline to make it to the sump (note: you can drill a hole in the side if needed to install your bulkhead, then install an elbow for the overflow drain if you can't place the refugium directly over the sump)
8. get the powerhead you want for the amount of flow you desire for the refugium. Remove any flow deflectors or venturi devices from the output for the powerhed and install a piece of nylon reinforced hose on the output opening for the powerhead. Nakew sure it is a snug fit, put the hose in boiling water for a few moments to allow it to scretch if necessary, it will firm back up nd be very snug if it will barely not fit when cold. Install any guards for the intake, then drop the powerhead into a place in the sump in a location where there is always plenty of depth to cover the powerhead.
9. run enough of the nylon-reinforced hose to go over the top and to the inside edge of the refugium (see 2 above) and attach it with a hose clamp or zip tie or other means to prevent it from flying around the tank stand when the power is on. Remember, if you run it to the bottom, it will become a siphon when the power is off, so keep it so it will be under the surface when the power is on, but won't be there too long to drain the refugium to the sump once the power is off, or drill a siphon relief hole as you would for the main tank return.
10. test for leaks, make sure the hose is permanently affixed so it will not move over time for the water flow into the refugium, then place a LOA 6500K fluorescent spotlight fixture over the refugium and you're ready to go. Make sure you can easily remove this refugium to either siphon out detrutus or to harvest macroalgae every few months, otherwise it becomes a potential nurtient source for the system.

HTH

[tdwyatt]

just saw this at another thread, I think if you're not using any coral in your refugium (i.e. Xeniids for export in a octocorl tank), and all you're wanting is to grow algae, then the following link might be more what you need for lighting: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

[zxcv123]

Thanks tom great help.