Looking to add a refugium and a have a few questions

[DwightKeenan]

I was thinking of adding a 10 g refugium to my system.

The plan was to have one of the overflows from the display go directly to the refugium, while the other goes to the sump.

Then I was going to plumb the refugium to the sump.

I am looking for a spray bar to use as the line in for the refugium and don't have a clue where to find one or if that is the right way to do it.

Does anyone want to share thoughts our diagrams of how they added a refugium to there system?

I have a 75g drilled with a 20H sump right now.

Thanks

[JG24]

You can easily make a spray bar from any size PVC. Just drill some holes in th pvc, in a striaight line, spaced out evenly. Then have a cap on the end of the pvc pipe. Start out with a small drill bit. Maybe, 3/16 then go bigger from there if needed.

[DwightKeenan]

Thanks. After posting that question I read a little more and found that out.

Any suggestions on how to plumb the refugium and sump together?

I was planning on using the suggestion in the attached daigram, except that I will use all PVC.

You can easily make a spray bar from any size PVC. Just drill some holes in th pvc, in a striaight line, spaced out evenly. Then have a cap on the end of the pvc pipe. Start out with a small drill bit. Maybe, 3/16 then go bigger from there if needed.

[Fish'InMN]

I think your original plan was better, with one line directly to the sump and the other through the refugium and then into the sump. Your only other concerns should be lighting and choice of macro(s).

We'll (probably) be adding a 20long refugium to our system in a few weeks, but there is only a single 1 inch drain in our display (Stupid idea, but you live and you learn). Hence, we'll be T-ing off the return pump, since it is too much for the display anyways, and the newly created line will run into the fuge. The fuge will drain through a strainer & bulkhead back into the sump's return-pump compartment. This is a little redundant and not efficient, but its the only way that works on our system, with only a single drain. (Illustrated render FYI (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/nmkranz/SW%20-%2040%20gallon/Projects/projectshelfplumbingillustrated.jpg))

Cheers,
Marty

PS. In that illustration, the two horizontal lines (both blue and green) run down to the basement's sump pump for water changes. Valves and unions everywhere.

[DwightKeenan]

Thanks for the diagram. When I posted the one above, I as only demonstrating that I would plumb the refugium and sump togehter. I still plan on having one of my overflows going directly to the refugium.

One major question I have is do I lose anything by having the refugium feed back trhough the sump? Will any pods get killed in the external pump that returns to the display?