I'm back...34g solana rimless cube

[DonW]

I updated a few things on the first post regarding fish choices and a refugium/sump idea. If anybody has any input/experiences with the fish please let me know good and the bad.

I'm also looking for a good skimmer, one w/ a small footprint and relatively cheap. Any ideas? I was thinking ASM Mini G or Aqua Euro 55 link>http://www.onlineaquatic.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=138. Possibly even a hob for the sump/refugium like the Aqua C Remora w/ mj1200.

Thanks,

Jayson

I think for a skimmer, the Tunze would be a good choice. It has a very small footprint and can be found used.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Very fish friendly design!

 

[dailydriven911]

I think for a skimmer, the Tunze would be a good choice. It has a very small footprint and can be found used.

Don

Thanks for the advice. I've heard good things about the tunze skimmers.

 

[dailydriven911]

Anybody have any experience with these fish? I know the clowns are easy and I've had a few how about the others?

Fish list as of now...
1 Radiant wrasse
1 small yellow mimic tang (small)
1 clown goby
1 yasha Hase shrimp Goby
1 pair black and white ocellaris clowns

 

[dailydriven911]

I ordered some t-5's for the tank today and the pheonix 14k bulb as well as some plumbing supplies for the refugium I'm going to be working on. Marine depot rocks.

 

[dailydriven911]

Here is my simple refugium concept.

I need help w/ placement of the check valves and ball valves. I'm using a mj1200 pump for the return for the tank and a mj900 from the tank to the refugium. The skimmer will be a tunze nano or 9005. I'm thinking I might just p/u a plastic container for the refugium or a small glass tank. Dimensions of the refugium must be 16"LX16"WX16"/17"H
It's hard finding a tank that size. What do you guys recommend for sealant for the divider. Any ideas are greatly appreciated! I'm not drilling the tank and I'm using 1/2" black hose and 1/2" u-tubes and hose clamps. Here is a link for those that are interested...

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_showCart.aspx?scType=add

 

[Dirtsquirt]

Aquarium silicone for sealing the divider. With the way thats set up I'd be afraid of pods being picked up by the skimmer

The 'best' way to setup a refuge (IMO) is 3 chambers, skimmer on one side, refuge on the other and the return section in the center.

-Dan

 

[dailydriven911]

Great thanks for the advice. I'll put the return in the center. I also want to avoid microbubbles as much as possible. Should I add more baffles?

Thanks,

Jayson

 

[Dirtsquirt]

I think 3 baffles from the skimmer side is the standard, if the refuge section is low flow I would just have it cascade over a wall or set something up for surface skimming, like DisturbedReefer does with his overflows.

Another thing to be weary of is the dual pump setup you have going, all it takes is one little snail to get in the way and mess everything up. Have anything against overflow boxes?

-Dan

 

[dailydriven911]

I think 3 baffles from the skimmer side is the standard, if the refuge section is low flow I would just have it cascade over a wall or set something up for surface skimming, like DisturbedReefer does with his overflows.

Another thing to be weary of is the dual pump setup you have going, all it takes is one little snail to get in the way and mess everything up. Have anything against overflow boxes?

-Dan

Great info! I was thinking maybe I could do some sort of mesh cover over the top of the pump. I think the mj's may even come w/ a plastic cover to keep up bigger stuff, not sure though I'll dig around for something. Good point though.

Thanks!

 

[dailydriven911]

I've decided I'm going to flip my horrible refugium drawing and have the water from the main display go to my skimmer followed by a baffle then the refuge followed by another baffle then the return in the third section. What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[dailydriven911]

Okay so I'm going to put a 1/2" ball valve on the hose from the main display to the skimmer section of the sump/refugium. Where should I put a check valve?

Thanks,

Jayson

 

[dailydriven911]

I made my first refugium tonight and found out how fun it is using aquarium sealant. It doesn't look the best but it will get the job done. I used a standard 10g tank and put three baffles in. One for the skimmer section, another about 1" away from the other. It then spills over into the refugium (about 4g) and then spills over the last baffle that houses the return pump. Here are some pics of the tank and refugium/sump setup and tank w/ new t/5's and pheonix 14k bulb. Hope you like it!

 

[Snowboarda42]

Looks awesome! I really like your aquascaping!

BTW, are you still thinking of putting a tang in a 34G?...

 

[sm_shim]

your gonna drill the solana?

 

[dailydriven911]

Looks awesome! I really like your aquascaping!

BTW, are you still thinking of putting a tang in a 34G?...

I don't know it was a thought. I saw one in barrier reefs 39g elos tank so I thought maybe I could pull off a small one. I'll probably get crap for it so I probably wont do it. :lol:

 

[dailydriven911]

your gonna drill the solana?

Nope no drilling here. I'm running hoses to the backside of the tank. I'll get a pic or two to show you what it looks like.

 

[sm_shim]

awww ic hows the 1600gph with sand?

 

[dailydriven911]

awww ic hows the 1600gph with sand?

No problems but I've positioned the return just uner the middle rockwork and the K1's near the top.

 

[dailydriven911]

Ok I got the refugium going finally! It took me at least 2-3 hrs just to get it working correctly. Is that normal? I kept losing water or gaining water it was so frustrating! Anyway it's working great and suprisingly very quiet. I just need to add some l/r and cheato and a cheap light over the top. Anything else you guys think I should add?

Thanks,

Jayson