OP
OP
rock-n-reef
Well-Known Member
Bucket Refugium!
After considerable thought on having Refugium vs. Algae Turf Scrubber vs. Algae reactor, decided to go with a refugium. However, my sump doesn’t have a separate refug chamber. It has a large 18 x15 center chamber that already has my Skimmer and couple of marinepure blocks. I chose this sump knowing the limitation. I was sure I can take the skimmer offline after the tank matures a bit, and then convert this into a full refuge chamber.
So in the meantime, planned to setup a bucket refugium (full disclaimer – not my original design. Based on a DIY build by Abe from Coral Euphoria channel). The principle is simple: use a bucket (for that matter any container) inside the sump as a refug, that way there is no light spill to the rest of the sump, and when detritus and other gunk settles in the refuge over the period of time, it is easy to take it out and clean.
It is ideal to have a black container/bucket. But the black salt buckets that I had wouldn’t fit into my sump. So decide to use a Tropic Marine salt bucket (the smaller 80 gallon mix container) that seems to fit snug inside the sump.
Since it is not black, I decided to use a few plastic craft mesh to create a lining inside the bucket. Which will help reduce the light spill, and also act as a strainer to stop any chaeto from escaping to the sump.
Three mesh sheets and a few zip ties does the job.
Here is the mesh lining
So the bucket is ready.
Drill the lid for a water inlet and a hole in the center for the light.
Decided to use a Kessil A360X refugium grow light that was lying around. So used a piece of PVC Foam Board and made a housing/stand for it to sit on top of the lid.
Drill four 3/4 inch holes that will act as drains/overflows. You can see the mesh acting as a strainer.
Feed the chiller output line to the refug inlet, so that I don't have to use a separate pump and a quick water test.
Mount the light, add the chaeto to the bucket. Good to go.
There is a little bit of light spill. So I might change it to a black bucket down the lane. But this should be good enough for now. I will also be adding some miracle mud to the refug.
After considerable thought on having Refugium vs. Algae Turf Scrubber vs. Algae reactor, decided to go with a refugium. However, my sump doesn’t have a separate refug chamber. It has a large 18 x15 center chamber that already has my Skimmer and couple of marinepure blocks. I chose this sump knowing the limitation. I was sure I can take the skimmer offline after the tank matures a bit, and then convert this into a full refuge chamber.
So in the meantime, planned to setup a bucket refugium (full disclaimer – not my original design. Based on a DIY build by Abe from Coral Euphoria channel). The principle is simple: use a bucket (for that matter any container) inside the sump as a refug, that way there is no light spill to the rest of the sump, and when detritus and other gunk settles in the refuge over the period of time, it is easy to take it out and clean.
It is ideal to have a black container/bucket. But the black salt buckets that I had wouldn’t fit into my sump. So decide to use a Tropic Marine salt bucket (the smaller 80 gallon mix container) that seems to fit snug inside the sump.
Since it is not black, I decided to use a few plastic craft mesh to create a lining inside the bucket. Which will help reduce the light spill, and also act as a strainer to stop any chaeto from escaping to the sump.
Three mesh sheets and a few zip ties does the job.
Here is the mesh lining
So the bucket is ready.
Drill the lid for a water inlet and a hole in the center for the light.
Decided to use a Kessil A360X refugium grow light that was lying around. So used a piece of PVC Foam Board and made a housing/stand for it to sit on top of the lid.
Drill four 3/4 inch holes that will act as drains/overflows. You can see the mesh acting as a strainer.
Feed the chiller output line to the refug inlet, so that I don't have to use a separate pump and a quick water test.
Mount the light, add the chaeto to the bucket. Good to go.
There is a little bit of light spill. So I might change it to a black bucket down the lane. But this should be good enough for now. I will also be adding some miracle mud to the refug.
