How can I build my own refugium for my saltwater reef tank?

Answer 1

You have to dedice where's it's going to go - under or beside - by the main tank. If it's under, your tank will need to be drilled on the bottom to allow for the water flow. If it's beside, you can just use a pump for water exchange.

You'll need whatever you're using as your fuge - a tank, rubbermaid, etc - a light will need to be affixed, adequate for keeping liverock and live sand.

Anyway, they say that 'true' ruges are MEANT to be seen beside the main tank. But that will be up to you. But a 10-20 gal set up beside the main tank would do.

The water entering the refugium should come from below the main tank's water surface not from the overflow (if you have one), because of all the oils etc that accumulate on the surface of the water. Instead, place a small powerhead a couple inches below the surface. Draining the refugium back to the sump allows gravity to do the labor for us.

So, you want to decide what goes IN your tank. Live sand and liverock, anyway. Then you can choose inverts, small fish, etc.

Answer 2

Some people have used large Rubbermaid containers that they plumb into the main display tank. Have you checked out these websites? You can do a search for DIY or Refugiums..

www.thereeftank.com/forums
www.reefcentral.com/forums
www.wetwebmedia.com