Cyberchef refugium

[cyberchef]

Here are pics of the refugium. I still have to get the permanent lighting instralled once it arrives. But otherwise it's good to go.

Info
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2 refugiums approximately 15-20 Gal each

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Refugiuim 1
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Custom drilled tank 15"D X 24"W x 8"H
65 watts of 50/50 smartlight PC
shallow sand bed
some LR and increasing
Good amount of macro algaes (calupera)
Peppermint shrimp (currently 3 eventually 5-10 , 2 more in main tank to catch and relocate)

Refugium 2
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Custom drilled tank 15"D X 24"W x 12"H
65 watts of 50/50 smartlight PC
approx #20 LR and increasing
2"-3" sand bed
macro algae (calupera, shaving brush plus some others)
Amphipods and copepods
1 small brown gorgonian came on a piece of LR
1 small purple Gorgonian

[cyberchef]

The next 3-4 pics are of the overflow tubes on the back of the tanks. I cut the threaded end before capping it so that I coukld adjust them without drilling a hole in the end of the pipe and hopefully keep them quieter. I almost can't hear them now, it's great...

Update... I figured out that the cut across the end of the pipe was not necessary. I was having a problem with the refugiums not flowing enough water, figured out that the cuts were the problem. I teflon taped the ends of the pipe/thread and was able to increase the flow rate by 2-3 times and it's still quiet...

In the future I would still set it up the same but not cut the pipe, just give the threads a 2X wrap of teflon tape and then adjust it once the water is on. Close the cap all of the way and then slowly open it till the water flow and input basically match and the overflow stops sucking wind.

[cyberchef]

Second pic of overflow

[cyberchef]

Pic 3

This is the cut that I would eliminate in the future or make it only down to the beginning of the threads.

[cyberchef]

Here is the end that hangs over/sits in the tank. This is the third version of this and so far it works the best and has produced the least amount of bubbles. The screw in plugs off the bottom of the elbows help to hold the fitting onto the tank.

[cyberchef]

Here's a pic of it on the tank.

[cyberchef]

Overall it's turned out to be a very clean install. There is only a couple of short pieces of tubing that can be seen between the tank and the bookcase.

[cyberchef]

here's a pic of the tank end of the overflow. The part that actually sits inside of the tank and can be seen when viewing the tank.

[cyberchef]

Here's a pic of the back of the bookcase. The two overflow drains on the right side of the pic have been replaced with the new ones in the previous pic at the beginning of the thread. Also the cuts for the overflows in the back of the bookcase are much bigger than in the pic, I had to raise the tanks to get better flow. One thing I can't stress enough is to make sure all of your measuremens are correct before you start. Also make sure that the refugium ovcerflow is at least 4" higher than the top of the main tank or you won't get any real flow from the refugium to the tank. Eventually I will probably replace the back of the bookcase because of the way too large holes that had to be made to movwe the tanks once they were in the bookcase. the tanks had to be loaded into the bookcase from the top, I accidently made them too wide to put in thru the front, again make sure of your measurements. I actually ordered the custom tanks before I bought the bookcase (although we had it picked out and measured) or I would have had to wait another month to get the tanks but the measurements would have been more accurate. I do have to admit that I like the fact that the tank ends are covered by the molding on the bookcase. I'm also going to install a hinged cover over the opening above the lower tank on the front so that when you are viewing the refugiums you are not looking at the top of the tank.

[cyberchef]

Here's a pic of the tank, refugium and one corner of the entertainment center which matches the bookcase/refugium.