DIY Hang on refugium

[Limpc]

This is a following up on a post by fairywrasse and Ian.

I'm exploring the possibility of DIY a hang on refugium incorporating Ian's OFB. Ian, if you are reading this, here are some questions:

1. How do you glue the acrylic together ?

2. If using your OFB idea, could you throw some light on a possible refugium design

3. What would be the return pump capacity ?

4. how is the clip secure to your outside overflow box ?

I will also try to sketch some idea while flying to India tomorrow.

thanks in advance

Limpc

[Ian]

1. How do you glue the acrylic together ?

1R. I use chlorofom given by my plastic man.

2. If using your OFB idea, could you throw some light on a possible

refugium design

2R) I got it at home. tonight i'll post it.

3. What would be the return pump capacity ?

3R)From what i know you need a veryu small pump.

4. how is the clip secure to your outside overflow box ?

4R) Depending on your tank thickness and if it has a brace. I would just bend 2 strips of plastic to a u shape. Secure oneside to the refugium and just hang it on your tank.

Hope you see this before you leave. Have a safe trip!

[Limpc]

Hi Ian,

That's fast. Are you working ?

1R. I use chlorofom given by my plastic man.

1RR. Got some to spare ? I understand it is very difficult to buy, control item by the authority

4R) Depending on your tank thickness and if it has a brace. I would just bend 2 strips of plastic to a u shape. Secure oneside to the refugium and just hang it on your tank.

4RR. With the weight of the refugium, can the strips tahan or not? You use chlorofom to glue the plastic clips to the OFB? BTW, how you bend the plastic ?

Will be waiting for your drawing.

Thanks, Ian.

Limpc

[Ian]

Actually working and schooling.

Your right it is controled but the ones i get from the shop is diluted so you cannot go and kidnapp chicks!

DAmm!!

The bracket it strong cause i also silicon it after i'm done. To bend the bracked just heat it with a lighter jet. It is an attachedment to the normal lighter. And you should get clamps and some objects to help with the bending. Plan how your gonna do it before lighting up!

[BlueTerror]

is it ok having an overflow hole for the water to flow back to main tank? thinking of making one tall refugium next to my tank. how do u gauge the waterflow frm the pump is too much for the hole?

[Ian]

is it ok having an overflow hole for the water to flow back to main tank? thinking of making one tall refugium next to my tank. how do u gauge the waterflow frm the pump is too much for the hole?

Refering to your thread and from my little knowladge of MARINE. I know that the refugium does not need very strong current so i would think that you should not get a powerful pump. If your pump is to strong than you will have problems with the return flow into your main tank.

[EbiTank]

cool, guys. was also thinking of how to do it after looking at ecosys's design, but gave up after rationalising that it would be impossible to mount it considering the weight of the refugium. would be keeping tabs on this thread to pick up a couple of tricks !

[Ian]

cool, guys. was also thinking of how to do it after looking at ecosys's design, but gave up after rationalising that it would be impossible to mount it considering the weight of the refugium. would be keeping tabs on this thread to pick up a couple of tricks !

What aboout doing the bracket theis way. Its very strong this way

[Ian]

DIY Hang on refugium design. CPR type

[Limpc]

Hi Ian,

You must be a design student. Excellent illustration.

Questions:

1. How would you join the base plate of the refugium ? Bare in mind this has to withstand the weight of water and sand.

2. What do you think of reversing the intake and retutn to tank. In another words, input to refugium by siphon effect and return thro' a small pump which can be located in the refugium itself. What is the merit/demerit of each method.

Thanks,

Limpc

[Ian]

Hi Ian,

You must be a design student. Excellent illustration.

Questions:

1. How would you join the base plate of the refugium ? Bare in mind this has to withstand the weight of water and sand.

2. What do you think of reversing the intake and retutn to tank. In another words, input to refugium by siphon effect and return thro' a small pump which can be located in the refugium itself. What is the merit/demerit of each method.

Thanks,

Limpc

design student no. design peoples financial needs and websites, Yes.

1R Just use chloroform and later silicon over.

2R I think if you do not have a over flow system in your tank, then it's possible to do it. I don't think 2 systems would work safely, over flow for sump and another for refugium.

[EbiTank]

hangon looks sturdy that way, but what is the min. thickness of the acrylic you are looking at ?

prefer drawing water fr. tank by pump so that if pump fails, the overflow will not "overflow"..

if use siphon effect and return water to tank by pump, may be very messy if pump is suddenly turned off. just my $0.02 worth.

[Ian]

EbiTank,

Your right. drawing water fr. tank by pump is safer.

The acrylic should be at least 5mm(minium). If done properly it will be strong enough.

[EbiTank]

looks like we have all the details firmed up already. so when do you guys want to try out ?

BTW, Ian, you already have a diy overflow box, you sure you still want/need a hangon refugium ?

[Limpc]

Hi all,

I'm still exploring the best concept to suit my situation.

If you refer to this link ....

http://www.geocities.com/nosmadasreef/DIY.html

Since I'm also using a SeaClone skimmer, this idea kind of trigger me with more options. Here are a few questions which I need to seek your opinion:

1. Should the skimmer be after DSB or before DSB ?

2. I exporing to use siphon as intake of water from main tank and use the skimmer to return to main tank. If power failed, will the siphoning breaks when the water level of refugium and main becomes equal.

3. Saw in LFS there is a kind of sand known as riversand, sugar fine. Is this good for DSB

4. Think of using Ian's idea on OFB for intake of water. Would this be good ?

After staring at my current setup, I seem to be able to allocate a current space for the refugium. Will show you guys a picture in my next post for your kind comment.

Limpc

[Ian]

looks like we have all the details firmed up already. so when do you guys want to try out ?

BTW, Ian, you already have a diy overflow box, you sure you still want/need a hangon refugium ?

Actually i have OFB and refugum in my sump. I was just helping out Limpc on his idea.

Limpc, not sure about the skimmer be after DSB or before DSB. As for the design in the link. My personal worry would be if the skimmer's pump were to fail, the refugium would over flow. Or if the other pump fails the skimmer pump will be running without water. Does this make sence. <_<

To solve this is to do away with the skimmer and raise the box to use gravity to return the water. Safer.

[Limpc]

Hi Ian,

Incidentally, I raised the same question to the author of that DIY and surprising he replied. He said in his email that he has changed his design to be intake by pump and return by gravity, just like what you suggested. Requested him to send me a picture for my understanding.

One question regarding returning by gravity, wouldn't the water flow caused lots of bubbles and splashes ? Any idea to kerb this.

I hope I can firm up my mind and get all material needed b4 CNY cos' I got a long break during that time.

Limpc

[Ian]

How to solve it is to use 2 elbow pipes.

[Limpc]

Hi Ian,

Would the return pipe cause a siphoning effect ?

I have more or less decided to build a refugium, but not as a hangon type. It would be made of glass (guess it is cheaper than acrylic) and will be located next to my main tank sitting on the same platform. Input to fuge will be from my hangon skimmer and output will be your idea. I'm finalising the dimension by tonight and will visit the Kelantan Lane shop to custom build it within these few days.

Here's how it will look like ....

.... oops how do I post picture now! AT HELP !!!

Limpc

[anakjoh]

just an idea...

if u can put a platform underneath yr tank - say plywood, bigger than yr tank but jutting out onlt at the back - then yr refugium can just rest on it

[Ian]

just an idea...

if u can put a platform underneath yr tank - say plywood, bigger than yr tank but jutting out onlt at the back - then yr refugium can just rest on it

Your right Anakjoh, that's if your tank in the construction stages. (Just like AT's tank, in a way)

I guess if one has space behind the tank they can make a simple high wooden box behind to hold the refugium. <_<

[Limpc]

Hi guys,

Just send my design for fabrication today. Will be collecting this saturday or monday. Surely will post a picture for your reference.

Limpc