First Of Several Questions About My Fuge

[new2reefing]

Hey all. So im finally ramped up to start my refugium. Its going to be a gravity fed 20 gallon tank sitting beside my display.
Question - what would you recomend in terms of pump to get water into the fuge. I was thinking of either using a powerhead, or an adjustable pump. The pump would need to be able to lift about 1'max and vertically 5' and the end result being 80-150 GPH through the fuge.
Would a powerhead or pump work better for this purpose?
Also any recomended afordable brands

 

[EricTMah]

Either pump will be fine. But an actual circulation pump will last longer as power heads aren't designed for head pressure.

I think targeting 80-150 gph would be a good amount of flow for a fuge. Imo slower water through the fuge will allow more contact time with whatever you're using in the fuge to control no3 and po4

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[new2reefing]

Yup low flows the plan. Wasnt sure what my starting gph should be so it hits 100ish by the fuge. Maybe 250gph? I can always valve to reduce i guess

 

[new2reefing]

One other question. Would you do any baffles for this or just as one section. I'm debating doing around a 6" section for chaeto only. The rest would be deep sand bed(still debating), dragons breath macro, mangroves, and rock for microfauna.

 

[Pipes]

This is a project I'd like to see pictures of.

On a side note. With the fuge sitting beside the display, could an overflow be re-directed into the fuge and then the fuge have a drain back to the sump? Thinking this would be 1 less pump to power.

 

[Neopimp]

This is a project I'd like to see pictures of.

On a side note. With the fuge sitting beside the display, could an overflow be re-directed into the fuge and then the fuge have a drain back to the sump? Thinking this would be 1 less pump to power.

thinking the same thing

 

[Kyle1970]

I wouldn't worry about baffles.
You could put some "tracks" onto the side of the fuge that would allow you to slide in some eggcrate if you ever want to segregate some algae to one side.
As far as draining back to the sump, it sounds like a good idea but I believe you are trying to not have a pump pushing the water after it goes through the fuge. Am I correct? The benefit of this type of fuge is that pods etc. just trickle back into the tank rather than taking the wild ride through the pump.

Pics too as mentioned by @Pipes is always a good thing too!

 

[new2reefing]

Hey All,
Thanks for the responces.
Now I know I'll get heck for this but I'm not using a sump, nor do I have immediate plans of using one. I have absolutely no issue with hang on back equipment, or internal heaters. The gravity fed fuge will sit beside the display with the top of the fuge being about 8" above the tank. This way I will be pumping water directly into the fuge from the display, and have it gravity feed back to the tank. this way no chopped up copepods/microfauna. It will be low flow to allow as much contact with the DSB macro, and to not send the pods on a waterslide, but instead just dump an endless stream of live food.

The benefit to this is its "Failproof"(if there is such a thing).

 

[new2reefing]

And yes kyle exactly as you said, no pump after the fuge and no wild ride for the pods.
Also by failproof i mean that both the fuge and display will be able to hold the max volume they transfer between them. If pump fails the water will only drop to the bulkhead, if bulkhead clogs the pump will only fill about 3-4 gallons which would only reach about 1" from top of fuge. I will also be running a gravity fed ATO for the same reason. Ill post pics as I go. Went to pick up a tank yesterday and they only had 20 gallon seapora tanks and they wernt sure if the sides are tempered.
In the mwan time heres a pic of the stand i built. Staining and sealing this weekend

 

[new2reefing]

 

[Pipes]

Hey All,
Thanks for the responces.
Now I know I'll get heck for this but I'm not using a sump, nor do I have immediate plans of using one. I have absolutely no issue with hang on back equipment, or internal heaters. The gravity fed fuge will sit beside the display with the top of the fuge being about 8" above the tank. This way I will be pumping water directly into the fuge from the display, and have it gravity feed back to the tank. this way no chopped up copepods/microfauna. It will be low flow to allow as much contact with the DSB macro, and to not send the pods on a waterslide, but instead just dump an endless stream of live food.

The benefit to this is its "Failproof"(if there is such a thing).

Gee, I hate being a realist (not a pessimist, but close). Wasn't the Titanic fail proof ????

 

[AdInfinitum]

View attachment 8200

I know it's not a huge deal for a small tank...but the top rim of the stand should be resting on vertical members, not supported by fasteners. The top will likely support a small tank...but in case anyone was looking at ideas for something on a larger scale....

 

[new2reefing]

Actually the top will have a sheet of 5/8" plywood to distribute the weight a bit more evenly. Im most likely looking at a max of 300 lbs and it should be rated atleast 2 times that amount, however I agree if i did it again id have done things differently.

 

[heath]

this hobby is a learning curve, I think that all of us at one time or another said that we wish we have done something a different way, I wish that I had put a bigger sump on the 125...

 

[Kyle1970]

@AdInfinitum is correct. Gotta think of shear strength of the fasteners when building like that. Nails would be more appropriate.

What happened to the titanic?? I never had time to see that movie.

Keep on building and posting pics!

 

[new2reefing]

again keep in mind I'mm using 5 layer 5/8" plywood 1.5" off the vertical posts and flush with wrapping and a center bracing, meaning i get the full vertical compression as well as the strength of the fasteners and the glue. max span at any point is 11" x 16". I'm a hefty guy and could jump on this till the cows come home and never hope to topple this build.
Also spoiler alert a guy hits the propeller and its hilarious
FYI pic attaches uses partical board top and 3/4-1" vertical posts. all the strength comes from the vertical posts as well as the the side partical board preventing vertical sway.... its insane what works for stands

 

[Skim]

You could always unscrew the top and add some " No Nails " and screw back together and then you're not just depending on the screws themselves.

 

[shamous113]

Take a look at the pics here for stand construction, http://thefragtank.ca/community/threads/new-125.17658/page-2
I'd be concerned with the shear strength of the screws, yes its a smaller tank but is it worth the risk?

 

[new2reefing]

Another question regarding pumps. Can the flow be reduced using a pipe valve? I know its probably a dumb question, but want to make sure it doesn't affect the pump lifespan or noise. My thoughts are it would just add resistance like head height would.
Also I hate the offerings for low for low flow pumps in canada.
Love this one, but not available on amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.com/KEDSUM-Submersible-Aquarium-Hydroponics-Adjustable/dp/B01H05U67O
Its the perfect flow/price and fits what i need exactly.
But the only one available in Canada is the 550 GPH one and is not adjustable .
So may go with this one instead.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004PBALAE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

Thoughts?

 

[EricTMah]

That pump should be fine and will be fine using a valve on the output end to restrict flow.

BTW. Are you using a canister filter on your tank? Seems like it might be a bit of an eye sore having that pump in your dt

Sony Xperia Z3