Refugium setup

[OUsnakebyte]

Okay, I've got a sump on the 75.  Understand 'em and everything.  Due to apartment space/constraint issues, this 29 seahorse tank is set up in the bedroom and has no space for a sump.  So, I'd like to add a refugium in which to grow Chaetomorpha to assist in nutrient export, pod growth, etc.  I've had nothing but positive results from that stuff in the sump of my 75.

 

Anyway, I've never installed a refugium before, so tell me what you think of this idea.  Here goes...

 

I was thinking of something simple like a plastic shoe or sweater box to sit on top of the filter.  Something about 4-6 inches deep.  I would have a small powerhead pumping water in, connected with plastic tubing and seal it off with silicone.  This hole would be drilled in near the top of the fuge.

 

The return would be drilled lower, near the bottom, and also connected to the tank with plastic tubing and sealed the same way.

 

I was thinking of installing a 36 watt 10,000K PC light for the Chaeto.  Would this be enough to grow it?

 

Also, what size powerhead would I need to push the water through?  I assume I could install a valve to regulate the amount of water coming through?

 

What am I missing here?

 

Thanks!

Mike

[michaelg]

That sounds like a real similar setup to what I and others have done for small tanks.  Just find the right sized container, feed with a small powerhead, and install a bulkhead (at the top) for a gravity drain. You could even put it up on a small shelf behind the tank.  I have always just gone over the back of the refuge with the feed line- so really only one bulkhead is needed.  I like to keep the feed outlet above the drain so prevent a suction when power goes out.  The lighting you suggest should be fine. Try to find a box or one of those elcheapo walmat plastic fish tank that is high rather than wide to keep space confined.  I would also throw a small amount of live rock in it, and use all live sand from existing tanks.  see this thread in the gallery for pics of the one I helped greatwit make.  Its further down in the thread- not the first link.

 

http://www.wamas.org/cgi-bin....3;t=133

[ReefMon]

Ditto what Michael said, sounds like a good plan.  I'd use a Mini-Jet  404 (13-100 gph).

 

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product....4+22788

[OUsnakebyte]

Thanks guys!

 

What size bulkhead do you think?  3/4",  1", etc.  Or does it "depend."

 

One last question.  Do you think this will add much noise?  Since it's in the bedroom, it really needs to stay quiet.  I've been pretty successful at keeping the noise level down thus far (both from the tank and the girlfriend...  ::  )

 

Nah!  I give her more trouble than I need to and less credit than I should.  She really does quite well with my hobby.  Oh who am I kidding?  This is an obsession.  At least I can finally admit it!  They say that's the first step!  

 

Cheers!

Mike