Jake 33 build

[windcoast reefs]

Yeah I figure a refugium is better. I am still using my Seaclone skimmer (hopefully not for long). Since everything is HOB the pumps will need to be in the skimmer. Im thinking that my 20g I have at home would do nicely. Any suggestions for how to build a refugium?

[Youngster Dan]

Refugium are really simple. They are essentially an area for critters to take "refuge" from the predator fishes in our tanks. They are a great place to grow macro algae, and house excess rock or whatever.

Mine is just a compartment in my sump, which is just made by sectioning off a portion using glass baffles. You are welcome to come check out how I have done mine. If you have a mantis shrimp in your display, a perfect home could be your refugium. Mantis are super cool, hopefully you got a colourful one.

[windcoast reefs]

Originally Posted by Youngster Dan

Refugium are really simple. They are essentially an area for critters to take "refuge" from the predator fishes in our tanks. They are a great place to grow macro algae, and house excess rock or whatever.

Mine is just a compartment in my sump, which is just made by sectioning off a portion using glass baffles. You are welcome to come check out how I have done mine. If you have a mantis shrimp in your display, a perfect home could be your refugium. Mantis are super cool, hopefully you got a colourful one.

Well Its a little late for him now (soda water kinda did him in). They are really cool, but this one took a liking to anything that moved. Yeah that would be great if I could take a look at your refugium. Let me know if you have any free time and I can stop by.

[windcoast reefs]

Well Here i the final result and some corals as of yesterday.

[windcoast reefs]

So I decided to install a sump in the next few weeks, but my current stand wouldn't hold a sump so I had to go and build one. I think I may have over built it just a tad but here is the pics!

Here is my 20 gallon tank that I will be using.


This is the frame before I faced it. Just a basic 2 by 4 frame that has been glued and then screwed together. My calculations say that the stand should be able to hold 1500 pounds when done. I built the frame so that I can later put a 90 gallon on top of it.


This is the nearly finished product, minus the front panel and the paint.


I will be painting it a satin black and the front panel will be held in by magnets. I built a cabinet for a customer years ago that I put a magnetic panel on the back and it worked amazingly. So I decided to give it a try instead of using regular hinges. I will also be wiring a LED light and a battery pack to run the heater and protein skimmer if the power goes out.

[DCDN]

I love how you're planning for the future upgrade already

[Youngster Dan]

Looks great, I wouldn't even bother putting the tank you have right now and just go straight for the jugular and put a 90 on there.

If you are building a LED, building the stand, building a sump. Why not build the tank? It could be lots of fun. Perhaps a little nerve racking, but if it works then you get mad props right?