Nano cheato refugium

[Ingwe]

Hey bros,

I've linked up my a 10+ litre to my 56 litre tank. Hope to grow chaeto here with lights on at night.

These are some pics. Please advise if there are any potential disasters. :

Any other comments/questions are welcome

Materials:

Return pipe from HOF

Another one salvaged from a small canister

Boyu 200l powerhead

Some pipe

Proof of concept

In action

I'm not allowed to "use image extentions" have attached pics.

[cdckjn]

from the 2nd picture, I think you have the white tank as the refugium. Then the powerhead is in the white tank. The water is pump into the main tank, then there is an overflow where the water returns to the white refugium tank.

The problem comes when the powerhead in the refugium is stopped. the main tank water will still overflow into your refugium, causing a flood. When the power comes back on again, the overflow will not automatically restart thus the powerhead will pump water until the main water floods.

If you want to do it, you can have this design but must have a proper overflow box to counter this issue of power stoppages. Good luck!

[jackywongto]

from the 2nd picture, I think you have the white tank as the refugium. Then the powerhead is in the white tank. The water is pump into the main tank, then there is an overflow where the water returns to the white refugium tank.

The problem comes when the powerhead in the refugium is stopped. the main tank water will still overflow into your refugium, causing a flood. When the power comes back on again, the overflow will not automatically restart thus the powerhead will pump water until the main water floods.

If you want to do it, you can have this design but must have a proper overflow box to counter this issue of power stoppages. Good luck!

You can try exploring the usage of a float switch to overcome any potential issue.

[Ingwe]

Thanks!

I've prepared for the event of a blackout.. the siphon will pull water till the water level in the two tanks are equal.

In other words the smaller tank is taller than the water level of the main tank. Its still working fine after a day.

Good idea, I'll look for an overflow box. Are there any for 2ft tanks?

@jacky a float switch? Do lfs carry this?

Now all i need is chaeto.

[cdckjn]

If the water level on both tank is equal, then some of your rocks on the main tank will be exposed to air for a period of time. If that is ok, then stay with this arrangement as this works well for small tanks and you have the space to this arrangement, else go for the normal sump-at-the-bottom layout.