Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 Three weeks ago I installed a do-it-yourself refugium. At that time my nitrates were running between 15 - 25. For the first time in 6 months my nitrate level today is reading zero. My refugium was made from a 55 gallon Pepsi barrel, with 5.5 inches of sand on the bottom. I added lights and one fist size ball of Chaeto. Information to construct it was learned here at WAMAS. Cost: Sand - free from WAMAS Members Pepsi barrel - $5.00 (learned about them from WAMAS Lights - $30.00 from Home Depot (learned about them from WAMAS) Plumbing Fittings - $10.00 from Home Depot Chaeto - Free from WAMAS Members ------------------------------------------------------ Total Cost: $45.00 $20.00 for joining WAMAS paid for itself again & again. Thank you WAMAS for all the wonderful advice. I couldn't have done it without ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHUBAKAH June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 I do agree though. This place is the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Author Share June 15, 2008 I do agree though. This place is the best! I have to go to the store & buy some new batteries for my camera. I'll post some pictures later. Good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 where did you get the pepsi barrel from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctenophore June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 What did you find at home depot that works like a bulkhead for the barrel? I've only used Uniseals and regular bulkheads, neither of which HD or Lowes sells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Author Share June 15, 2008 where did you get the pepsi barrel from? Hyattsville Pepsi Plant - Barrels are $5 each. Howard Turk, Recycling Coordinator, 301.583.7260 or 301.322.7000 WAMAS did a group buy a few months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davelin315 June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 What did you find at home depot that works like a bulkhead for the barrel? I've only used Uniseals and regular bulkheads, neither of which HD or Lowes sells. Don't know what Cliff used, but I have used male and female couplings with O rings on them. For me it was never a great substitute but it worked in a pinch. Also, I have used threaded male connectors and used a tap to thread a hole that matched. A little teflon tape on there and you're pretty good (or combine it with an O ring and female connector, too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Author Share June 15, 2008 What did you find at home depot that works like a bulkhead for the barrel? I've only used Uniseals and regular bulkheads, neither of which HD or Lowes sells. I used standard 2" PVC screw fittings (male & female) with one rubber O ring. After I tightened them to the barrel on each side, I applied Jurassic Paleobond glue to make it permanent. Works like a charm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 pictures would be awesome good to hear you're getting your worth out of wamas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 Hyattsville Pepsi Plant - Barrels are $5 each. Howard Turk, Recycling Coordinator, 301.583.7260 or 301.322.7000 WAMAS did a group buy a few months ago. did you get them shipped or what did you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHUBAKAH June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 did you get them shipped or what did you do? All your questions answered here on barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Author Share June 15, 2008 Here are a few pictures of how it was built: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsedlack June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 I like that1 Way to use your brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLazar June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 (edited) Awesome Cliff. Does any know if there are any unclaimed/unused 55 gal barrels still available out there? Or anyone interested in sponsoring another group buy? With all the upcoming meetings and socials, this is the season for group buys/rades/sales of anything I suppose. Maureen sorry Cliff .......... didn't mean to hijack your thread................. Edited June 15, 2008 by MLazar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Author Share June 15, 2008 Awesome Cliff. Does any know if there are any unclaimed/unused 55 gal barrels still available out there? Or anyone interested in sponsoring another group buy? With all the upcoming meetings and socials, this is the season for group buys/rades/sales of anything I suppose. Maureen sorry Cliff .......... didn't mean to hijack your thread................. I have one 55 gallon pepsi barrel left, which I do not need now. If you are interested let me know. I will be at the next meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLazar June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 I have one 55 gallon pepsi barrel left, which I do not need now. If you are interested let me know. I will be at the next meeting. Cliff, Am definitely interested in the barrel, thanks much. Let me know what I owe you. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 15, 2008 Author Share June 15, 2008 Cliff, Am definitely interested in the barrel, thanks much. Let me know what I owe you. Maureen $5.00 for the barrel, which is what I paid for it. I'll bring it for you to the next meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLazar June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 $5.00 for the barrel, which is what I paid for it. I'll bring it for you to the next meeting. Thanks much Cliff. I'll see you at BRK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 not BRK, he's delivering them to the fragfest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryL June 15, 2008 Share June 15, 2008 I have to go to the store & buy some new batteries for my camera. I'll post some pictures later. Good point. rechargable batteries are the best..last longer too..pays for themselves like the wamas membership Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctenophore June 16, 2008 Share June 16, 2008 Nice work. Too bad the poster of the General Lee is hidden by it though :( You might want to make a top that fits around the lights to protect against salt creep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer June 16, 2008 Author Share June 16, 2008 Nice work. Too bad the poster of the General Lee is hidden by it though :( You might want to make a top that fits around the lights to protect against salt creep. The other wall has Daisy on it. I can take the top I cut off & fashion a top with it. I didn't think there would be a problem with salt creep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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