Building my own Refugium

[eatsomepopcorn]

I would like some thoughts on a refugium for a FOWLR 12G (5' by 18"). I was thinking of a four chaber refugium.
Chamber 1 = Protein Skimmer
Chamber 2 = Live Sand and Algae (sand raised 1" from bottom suspended)
Chamber 3 = Live Rock (30-40 lbs)
Chamber 4 = Return Pump

This would run without a sock or filter pad. I am away for a whole week at a time. I can get someone to feed, but not deal with sock changes. I was planning to run skimmer into sealed 5 gallon bucket with alarm if it gets too high. What are your thoughts.

 

[ccCapt]

How big is this going to be with 30-40# of rock in there?

I was planning to run skimmer into sealed 5 gallon bucket with alarm if it gets too high.

What does that mean?

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

do you mean a 125g?

What do you mean when suspending the sand? If you're going for denitrification in the sand bed, I think you need more than 1" but maybe I'm not understanding your statement.

Will you have LR in the DT?

Have you considered a Miracle Mud refugium sump with no skimmer? Google it and watch a bunch of videos.

I think with the 5g bucket/skimmer deal you are saying that you are going to pipe the skimmate over to it so you don't have to empty it twice a week? Unless you're wet skimming, it will take you a year to fill that bucket and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near it when opened!!

 

[cabezon]

and if the bucket is sealed, the cup might not drain well into it. I have mine go to a one gal milk jug and never have more than a cup of fluid in it.

 

[eatsomepopcorn]

The main tank will be 125g, the refugium will likely be a 55g or 70g. The sand will be raised 1 inch off the refugium bottom, it will be stacked in several layers of 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches each.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

I highly suggest you look into Miracle Mud instead of a DSB. You would not need a 'fuge that big with MM.

 

[jbadd99]

From what I've read - I'm thinking the suspended sand is for a plenum in his DSB. I was also considering doing this myself in a fuge seperate from the sump.

 

[ilostnemo]

how are you suspeneding the sand?

 

[jcmelski]

you take 1/2 or 3/4" pvc, place it on the bottom of the fuge, then put a mesh over that, then place the sand over the screen. I think he means from the bottom of the fuge.

 

[ilostnemo]

oh ok lol i was like they make floating sand now wtf haha