I have read about the added benefits of a refugium. I made a post to see if anyone had an used HOB refugium but did not get any takers. Could I get the same benefits by just adding a 10 gal tank next to my 20H and running reverse lighting? I have room to set the 10gal tank right next to my 20g. At a minimum this would add additional water volume to my system that could be beneficial for a small tank like mine, right? If this would be acceptable could anyone give me some insight on how to properly set this up as far as getting the water from my 20 to the 10 and back. Also, if I added the 10 will it have to cycle before moving water from one tank to the other? Thanks in advance for any help or thoughts. -JT
i have a hang on back refugium on my 125. personally since you have the space i would go with the 10 gallon. mine is too difficult to access plus you cant really see inside of it. it serves its purpose(on a minimal scale). The increased water volume would be great for a small tank. as far as the plumbing aspect cant help you there. i am a dummy when it comes to that but you could either have someone drill both tanks or cheat and use tubing w/1 pump into the refugium and one pump back into you display. not as atractive though. i am sure one of our plumbing guro's can chime in to give you details.
The hang on the back is the easiest to make work and it would be more convient to access then on a 125 on your nano. There are several ways of running a stand alone, the one I ahve always used to be safe from accidents is to have the refuge higher then what you are returning it too. With bigger tanks that are running a sump that is easy. With smaller tanks without a sump below, most have it on a shelf above the tank or in your case a place at the end of the tank, but high enough for the return to be plumbed down hill slightly. I wouldn't use another tank, I would go to walmart and get a rubbermaid tub the size you want, clear is nice, and use it. If you really want to do it nice get something as big or bigger then the tank and you well really be doing your DT and the whole system a favor. You can't have to big of a support setup. I know people running twice the support volume as their main tank is, the more the better. Anyway back to your question. You get the tub and holesaw 2 holes in one end as far apart from each other as you can and on the height you want the water to be in the refuge, or one in each end, but that can get alot of line involved. Then get 2 bulkhead fittings[probably online] I would think 1/2" line would be plenty big for you nano and your pump of choice say a little eheim compact 300 or whatever and stick or hang that in the nano and run the line over to the refuge to one bulkhead fitting and then run the other line from the other fitting on the refuge back to the nano at the other side from the supply pump just over the top and the water well fill to the lines height in the refuge and drain back by gravity and if for some reason the power goes out you won't flood. Make sure the supply side bulkhead fitting is the same height in the refuge, or even a hair higher, that way when the power goes off the drain back into the nano well be minor. Hope this is clear, feel free to ask if something is not clear. Good luck and good idea to increase water volume.
