FW Refugium

F

Fatman315

AC Members
Feb 24, 2010
34
0
0
So I want to make a FW refugium out of a 10 gallon tank. I am planning on having it heavily planted with plants like hornwort, duckweed, java moss (any other plant suggestions). I also want to start breeding cherry shrimp in it as well. It will be for my 15 gallon tank for now and I would like to not have to drill anything.
Does anyone have any links with easy directions on how to accomplish this. I am completely new at this so I really have no idea what I am doing lol, but it is something I would really like to try. Especially with FW first because I plan on eventually doing something like this in a small SW tank. May even convert the 15 to SW in a few years. Anyways (sorry got sidetracked) any ideas for FW? How I should plumb it, what I will need for it. easiest way to get it done, ect....?
 
Hey Fatman,

I think it might actually be easier for you to drill the tank than to work out another system. This is because a drilled tank can be used to drain the top tank into the lower tank, and depending on the location of the hole, protect the top tank from draining dry in the event of the pump stopping. How else would you do it? it would be nearly harder to synchronize pumps to transfer water, especially if you think of what would happen when one pump stopped.
Just go to HD, they should have diamond hole saws in the drill section. Make sure you get a big one (3/4" minimum) and grab the pvc fittings to make sure its all going to fit before you drill! I used a drill press, but theres a youtube video of someone doing it with a normal powerdrill. Remember to spray water on as you drill, hot=crack.

Good Luck!
 
Ok. I was hoping I wouldn't have to drill, I don't really have any way to set the 10 lower than the 15 right now with the space I have (basically living in a space the size of a studio apartment). This project may be put on hold for a little now lol. I was using the 15 to quarantine my 2 new angelfish and they ended up breeding lol. I will figure out what to do now, but this won't be on the back burner for long. I may just go buy a new 20 gallon tank to try this out.

I'll keep you posted though, this could end up working really well lol.
 
Last edited:
So I am getting a 75 gallon reef ready tank that needs resealed. It's only $10 so I figured if it works great, if not it'll become home to a reptile lol.
If it does work, I want to turn a 10-20L tank into the FW refugium. There will probably be a DIY stand build along with this too. I'll make it so the refugium fits under the 75.
I think it will turn out fairly nice when all is said and done.
 
Sold the 75 and got a 120 gallon long acrylic tank instead with a sump. I plan on hanging a light in the cabinet and growing hornwort and maybe some other plants in the sump to help keep nitrates down. The tank itself is planted as well. I may also breed ghost shrimp in it eventually to feed to my Angels and JDs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom