Read About DIY Refugium

DIY Refugium is cheaper than a built in refugium tank that can be bought in a store. Refugiums work effectively and you can construct your own very easily. Here's everything you need to know about it.

How to DIY Refugium

1. The Facts:

   A refugium is an area separate from the main tank but is sharing the same water. This gives a safe place to fish that might be a prey to other aggressive fish. You don't have to filter the water in the refugium separately as it shares the same water present in the main tank. You can grow algae and plants in one tank and save them from herbivorous fish. Young fish and small ones will feel safe in a refugium, away from the more aggressive fish.

2. Supplies:

   You will need the following to build your own refugium. - A 10 gallon acrylic tank to be used as refugium - An overflow - A pump that suits the capacity of the tank. - Plumbing accessories such a PVC pipes and adhesives.

3. What to Do:

   - The refugium tank should be placed above the main tank for the water to freely flow into the main tank. - An overflow should be installed in the refugium that can collect and send the water to the main tank. - Connect the overflow to the main tank with PVC pipes. - The pump should be connected to the main tank to take the water from and also to the refugium to send the water to. Use the pipes to connect the pump. - The pump connection in the main tank should be kept at a level so that if the water level comes down the pump stops transferring water to the refugium. - Connect the pump and start it for the refugium to work.

4. Special Considerations:

   - Overflows take water from the surface and there is a danger of small fish getting transferred to the other tank. A sponge can be used to prevent the small fish from getting into the other part of the overflow. - Make sure the pump is not very powerful. The power of the pump should suit the flow of water from the refugium to the main tank.

5. Other Tips:

   - The overflow takes water from the surface. There is floating organic waste and oils in the surface water and the overflow will transfer these harmful materials to the other tank. Use proper filtration to prevent increasing the harmful content. - You can also use an Ultraviolet Sterilizer along with the overflow so that the water is cleaned as it goes to the other tank. - You can fit lights to the refugium too and make it look bright and beautiful.

6. Expense:

   The total cost for building this refugium, with basic materials will be around $60-80.