Hybrid Refugium/filter Ideas

HI everyone! I am thinking of building a hybrid refugium/filter out of food storage containers for my experimental planted tank. Here are my plans;




It came out sideways, annoyingly...anyhow, here is how it is going to work. I already have a 40 GPH pump in the experimental 5 gallon tank; I will add tubing to it to direct the water into the food storage container (which will be placed in a second food storage container partially filled with sand to increase its height). The tubing will flow right into a layer of hydroponics media (perhaps capped with sand or gravel if it floats) to encourage beneficial bacteria, and when the water level rises high enough it will flow through a larger piece of tubing siliconed into a hole in the container back into the tank. This will not only serve as a filter, but I will also culture live food critters in it to feed the tank.

How does this idea sound? Any tips on building the return (for example, should I scratch the area around the hole with sandpaper to make it easier for the silicone to bond with the container)? Thanks

 

I'd suggest using a bulkhead for the return instead of relying on silicone. Much more reliable IMO.

 

Check out these. Would be easy enough to replicate. I agree bulkheads would be safer. A popped piece of silicone could mean 40GPH pumped out on the floor.

I had one on my saltwater tank and it was a great source for pods. I wish I had kept it instead of selling it, as I thought it would be cool to use on the Freshwater tank too.

 

Ok. How would I install the bulkhead? Can’t envision one at the moment...

 

Ok. How would I install the bulkhead? Can’t envision one at the moment...

It's just a fitting that holds your pipe and has a gasket and washer on either side of the tank wall to keep it from coming out or leaking (theoretically).

 

I would suggest getting a filter booster, which is basically a canister filter minus the pump. Use that instead of the open food container. The booster is sealed, so one less thing that can leak. An alternative would be using a five gallon bucket with a gamma seal lid, but then you'd need to install bulkheads and fittings and by the time you were done the filter booster would be way cheaper.

 

HI everyone! I just tried to construct my filter, using a wood burner to cut the hole for the bulkhead. I didn't succeed this time - made the hole too big on both attempts, and water leaked around the bulkhead both times. Oh well...the containers I used were a dollar each, so it would not cost much to try again. (PS...if I ever try to make a refugium with two glass tanks, would a glass company be willing to cut the required hole? I was just wondering)

 

I would suggest getting a filter booster, which is basically a canister filter minus the pump. Use that instead of the open food container. The booster is sealed, so one less thing that can leak. An alternative would be using a five gallon bucket with a gamma seal lid, but then you'd need to install bulkheads and fittings and by the time you were done the filter booster would be way cheaper.

I think he wants to grow emerse plants in it, as a refugium.

Cheaper and simpler to just fill a HOB breeder box with media and plant marginals in it. Heck a lot of what I use it for is plant overflow holding... which tends to become permanent.

 

True, I could do that...but there is something to be said for making things yourself.

 

True, I could do that...but there is something to be said for making things yourself.

I certainly have no objection to DIY and modding purchased equipment, but I think there's a point where the DIY approach starts to make less sense.

I should also point out that if something goes wrong with the return from the filter, with the way it's designed you're going to end up with a nearly empty tank and most of the water on the floor. I'd put the pump in the filter tub and siphon water over from the tank. That way, worst case, you'd only lower the tank to the level of the siphon pipe. Obviously you wouldn't want it on the bottom of the tank.

I'd use a drill to cut the hole. As long as your tank isn't tempered glass you can drill it using a diamond hole saw. There are all kinds of videos on YouTube showing how to do it.

 

I think that problem would be minimized by simply putting the pump near the top of the tank...I was trying not to drill glass this time (maybe in the future).

Anyway...while I won't give up on this hybrid refugium project, I have another custom filter idea that poses no risk to the floor. This time I would take a food storage container, poke a bunch of tiny holes near the bottom with the wood burner, and then cut a hole on the lid. The pump would then be siliconed to the lid with the intake in the hole, allowing me to have a power filter that poses very little risk to fry or other small aquarium critters (especially once media is added). How does this sound?

 

HI everyone! Made a third attempt on making a hole that was the appropriate size for the bulkhead, and once again it was too large. So...I decided to silicone the bulkhead to the container while it is in the hole. The silicone will not be dry until Sunday night, so I won't know if this works until Monday...will keep you posted

 

Hooray! The fuge works! No leaking this time. It's not perfect...the silicone work is a tad ugly, and it bows if the lid is not attached when it is filled with water - but it's a crucial step forward. Going to silicone the lid on this week and see if that stops the bowing. Meanwhile, here is a picture of the fuge;