Cheap in tank DIY refugium...

[afboundguy]

So a few people have asked for pics of my in tank DIY refugium so I figured I'd just start a thread so everybody can see it. I decided to make this to try to battle 10-20 ppm nitrates. Shortly after putting this in my tank the nitrates were undetectable and have stayed that way ever since. The whole project cost me under $10 (I had extra PH) and all I needed was a drill and a drill bit...

You can do this with any spec container (I used the large one) I did one for my dad's tank to help with his nitrates but used a medium one because of room considerations...

This is a front pic (sorry about the pics I took them with lights off and no stand)
All the yellow circles show all the holes I drilled in the front of the container. I also drilled them on the two sides...

 

[afboundguy]

I drilled a bigger hole for the powerhead to stick in (I used a maxi-jet 400 then 600 now it serves as the "bubble eliminator" for the bak pak because I wanted to eliminate some of the stuff hanging on the back of the tank) You can also see the holes I drilled in the side...

 

[afboundguy]

Next is kind of a crappy pic but if you look hard I drilled 2 holes on the lower back part that touches the tank and added some extra suctions cups from left over maxi-jets... They did stick to the back of the tank but now they don't

 

[afboundguy]

I also cut out a section of the top just in case all of the holes I cut in the sides clogged up there would be a place for the water to go instead of on the floor

You can also see how I have the outlet to the bak pak feeding right into the fuge for flow...

 

[afboundguy]

And lastly it just hangs on the back of the tank... I did have to modify the black top of the tank a little to make it fit with my lights but that was just a simple cutting of the black rimmed part that sticks out about 1/4" while keeping structural integrity...

 

[FOXYB]

sweet dave i made one yesterday but went the eggcrate way and put it in the sump

looks like im deep frying cheato..... once i go get some

nice diy thread

 

[afboundguy]

Again this is a simple cheap way to try to help with nutrient export. It took me maybe 30 mins to actually make the fuge and maybe 30 mins because of the space issue I had with my lights. This is an awesome project for people without a sump that want all the benefits of a refugium... If anyone has any questions post away and I'll try to answer them...

 

[jbishop]

Very cool Dave. A lot of people have been waiting for this.

 

[afboundguy]

sweet dave i made one yesterday but went the eggcrate way and put it in the sump

Looks good Bijan... I like mine because as you can tell from the pics it gets encrusted with coraline and it blends in kind of nice...

Very cool Dave. A lot of people have been waiting for this.

Thanks... I've been meaning to take pics and start a thread but I just never got around to it...

 

[cleeduz]

Thanks Dave. I am currently setting up a 36gal. corner tank, so space is definitely an issue. This really helps out a lot, Thank you.

 

[s_kelley]

Dave, this just sits in your main tank? What size tank is it in? Cool idea!

 

[Rick C]

I definitely want to make one. I just gotta get a spec container. Thanks for the instructions Dave.

 

[afboundguy]

Thanks Dave. I am currently setting up a 36gal. corner tank, so space is definitely an issue. This really helps out a lot, Thank you.

I definitely want to make one. I just gotta get a spec container. Thanks for the instructions Dave.

No problem guys... Sorry it took so long

Dave, this just sits in your main tank? What size tank is it in? Cool idea!

Yeah it just hangs off the back side of the tank. I have a 55 gallon tank.

One thing I forgot to mention is you have to make sure it gets light inside so the macro algae grows. I used to get insane growth from it when it wasn't covered in coraline algae (daylight bulbs are in the middle) but I still get growth with the ATI Blue + bulb sitting right over it...