DIY 5 gallon refugium for 20 gallon reef- need help

[Lance M.]

I want to put a small refugium on my 20 gallon for some macroalgae and extra lr. I have no idea. could someone lay it out for me?

[Lance M.]

well anyone going to respond?

I thought about getting 2 small ph's (~80 gph or smaller if I can find) and attaching tubing to them to connect the two tanks.

would just doing this work?

[mr funktastic]

i am not a salty but i am suprised none has helped u yet. i think what u want to do is run one pump in the refugium(this is going under the tank right?) if u run 2 pumps u take the chance of one overpowering the other and overflowing your refuge. if u only have one it will pull the water through the intake aswell as push it out the outtake. i think. try posting in the begginner forum on the salty side and hope the mods dont pull it down here.

[afilter]

Here is a link to an old thread of mine from when I was building my sump, it includes a link to the design I used.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=61456

The only issue I see is cost since your tank in probably not drilled. Overflow boxes can run $100 for a good one. Suggest you look at a 10g vs. a 5g. The more water volume the better.
A 10g will also give you more room for skimmer heater etc.
Besides a 10g tank is probably no more castly that a 5g is not cheaper.

If you are looking for a pure fuge I have seen the CPR style HOB fuges that come with pumps and lights. They are very costly IMO.

Good luck.

[beachbumin]

have you thought about doing a HOB fuge? Thats what I have and I have it shoved full of Chaeto and live rock rubble