DIY Refugium

[DavidGallant]

I figured I would go with acrylic. Maybe 1/2". What should i use to bond it together/insulate it from spillage. It will be an HOB for my 10gal nano, so not very large.
Thanks

[MAReefer1]

Silicone is what you could use to bond the sides together, is that what you meant?

[DavidGallant]

that would do it. any brands/types??? Or just look for silicone in a tube?

[maurod]

You do not use silicone to bond acrylic sheets, you use weldon. Hopefully someone with far more acrylic info than me will reply. In the meantime, search for Weldon and acrylic using the search too in the diy section.

[Liam]

use weldon 4 or 16,depending on how good your cuts are.Ideally 4 but 16 is thicker and will help fill any imperfections

[smithcreek]

I don't have a lot of experience fabricating with acrylic, but I think Weldon 16 should be fine for an HOB for a 10 gallon tank. 1/2" is big time overkill, 1/4" is overkill also, but easier to work with than anything thinner. Making the "hang-on" part could end up being difficult if you plan on using it like HOB filter that pumps water in and overflows back to the tank. Adds a lot of work, especially if it's you first time working with acrylic. Maybe someone with more experience will have some ideas.

[~Flighty~]

Refugiums can be as fun to watch as display tanks. Have you considered doing a refugium next to your nano? That way you can add more water volume to the system at the same time and use a simple 5 or 10g glass tank.

[ZReef]

Instead of using acrylic to make one, why not convert an Aquaclear HOB filter. The AC110 I think it is called now has quite a large area for a refugium. I converted my AC110 into a HOB refugium for my 46g. The AC70 is one step down and I used that on my 10g for a while. All you need to do is put in a baffle between the pump and the main section and perhaps slow down the flow by clipping a few props of the impeller.

There is plenty of information on the web about converting a HOB filter into a refugium.

If you are set on making an acrylic HOB refugium take a look at the already made ones for ideas on design. You will want to use Weld-on to bond the acrylic. The lower the number, the thinner it is and the faster it dries but the bond is weaker. The higher the number, the thicker it is and the slower it dries but bond is stronger. There are three Weld-on types that you want to use....

Weld-on #3: Fastest drying but extremely thin and not as strong a bond.

Weld-on #4: Fast drying and water thin but very strong bond.

Weld-on #16: Slower drying and thicker like glue. Strongest bond, fills gaps where as #3 and #4 can't.

I would use #4. I have used it to build my sump and overflow box and it works very well. I had a few gaps to fill in but GOOP works well for that. You could use #16 if you think you might need to fill in any gaps but you will need to let it bond longer. 1/8" thick acrylic would work but 1/4" might be easier to use. Home Depot caries very thin acrylic and 0.22 thick acrylic which would work just fine.

Here is a link to the Weld-on glues.
http://www.rplastics.com/plac.html?gclid=CM6ato2d0YkCFQhDSgod_mMZPQ

Hope this isn't too much to read.

-Dennis

[DavidGallant]

Refugiums can be as fun to watch as display tanks. Have you considered doing a refugium next to your nano? That way you can add more water volume to the system at the same time and use a simple 5 or 10g glass tank.

that's the plan. i'm going to do the LOA DIY light, so I can mount it above both the fuge and the tank. I want to have chaeto in the fuge, and it will increase my amount of water. I think it will also help with flow without spending for a powerhead right now.
Thanks for the input dennis. After the tech finish's installing my new microwave(cant wait for hot pockets again) I am heading to home depot.
Dave

[DavidGallant]

any tips for putting a hole in some acrylic??? I was told that a hole-saw will make it crack. i grabbed a sheet out of my grandfathers workshop, so it was free. He gave me a scoring tool to cut it, but I dont think I can pull of a circle to fit my impeller/motor
Thanks

[stevenp]

I've used hole saws, both diamond and HSS, to cut holes in acrylic and never had a problem. I actually prefer the diamond hole saws; you just need to run them slow (couple hundred RPM's or so) and keep the cut wet, and clean the swarf off the hole saw when it gets warm and starts to load up.

To keep the acrylic from cracking, clamp the acrylic to a piece of wood so when the hole saw breaks through it doesn't crack or chip the acrylic.

Steve

[DavidGallant]

sounds good. thanks for the info. i tried using a scoring tool tonight, but i need powertools.

[stevenp]

Getting the hole saw started is the biggest challenge. IME it's best to have a template, or a couple fixed fences to get it started. They have a tendancy to walk around a bit before they're buried in the cut.

Steve

[DavidGallant]

so noted. even my scoring too next to a ruler was walking. i really want to get this done soon and get some chaeto in though.

[ZReef]

When I was building a project for school out of acrylic, it was near impossible to keep the drill bit from walking. A template might come in handy. Also, try not to give it too much pressure because sometimes the bit will try to cut out too much on one pass and get stuck.

I used a dremel to cut out the 1.5" hole for a bulkhead on my overflow box and it worked pretty decent. The hole isn't perfect but it is water tight with the bulkhead. Dremel has an attachment for cutting round holes but it is meant for larger holes.

[DavidGallant]

Do you mean a side cutting bit? I totally forgot about those. I used to do US FIRST robotics in highschool so I was very hands on then, but now not so much.

[Bobbofin]

I don't know why you'd want to build a hang on refugium when they are so cheap. CPR's small hang on fuge which is 13" wide is $119.99 at both Marine Depot and Fosters and it includes the pump. By the time you buy materials, pump and take in account the value of your time you're better off buying the CPR. I did go for a DIY sump to fit under the 16"x18" 30 cube stand. It ended up costing me about $150 but if I had it made it would be $350.00 at least. Just my $.02

Here's two on eBay for under $100.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Refugium-with-Protein-Skimmer-for-Coral-Reef_W0QQitemZ230075787620QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20758 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOB-Nano-Refugium-Protein-Skimmer-for-Coral-Reef_W0QQitemZ230031145775QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20758 QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[ZReef]

Do you mean a side cutting bit? I totally forgot about those. I used to do US FIRST robotics in highschool so I was very hands on then, but now not so much.

My mother works on the FIRST team at Assabet (Aztecs 157). I helped them out when I was in high school and went to many competitions but haven't been involved much anymore. Great program!
Almost worked at DEKA over the summer working on an upgrade project for the FIRST program but it was too far away to commute.


I don't know why you'd want to build a hang on refugium when they are so cheap. CPR's small hang on fuge which is 13" wide is $119.99 at both Marine Depot and Fosters and it includes the pump. By the time you buy materials, pump and take in account the value of your time you're better off buying the CPR. I did go for a DIY sump to fit under the 16"x18" 30 cube stand. It ended up costing me about $150 but if I had it made it would be $350.00 at least. Just my $.02

Here's two on eBay for under $100.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Refugium-with-Protein-Skimmer-for-Coral-Reef_W0QQitemZ230075787620QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20758 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOB-Nano-Refugium-Protein-Skimmer-for-Coral-Reef_W0QQitemZ230031145775QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20758 QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Sometimes it is cheaper and definitely easier to buy an already made product but it is always more fun and satisfying to build something yourself.

The 25 gallon custom sump I built cost me $200 and I still have a 2' x 3' piece of 3/8" acrylic and some scraps left over.

The overflow box I built out of acrylic which would probably be the same amount of material needed for this refugium cost me around $30. Add in a small pump and the cost of this refugium will definitely be less than the CPR which is over $100.

[lawrant]

a hole through acrylic is very simple but you have to be patient don't force the drill through and it is a good idea to clamp it to a piece of wood. also start with a small drill hole as a pilot first, that will eleviate the tendancy to walk.

As far as "gluing" my favorate is weld-on #3. it can be purchased at any plastics store. I use altec plastics in boston normally. the best method to assure no leaks is to use the #3 or #4 first using the capilary method (search online there are many different instructions out there) then use a very thin coating of #16 once the #3 or #4 thing dries. You can continue to add a few beads of 16 if you wish but for apearances make sure they are as thin as possible.

Also, I hate to use the acrylic sheets from home depot. they are really difficult to work with. I try to get the one's with the paper coating since it is much easier to mark and a saber saw guide won't scratch through it like it does on the plastic coated ones.

Hope this helps.