DIY 30-Gallon Refugium

A 30-gallon refugium adds water volume to an aquarium, helping stabilize the water's pH and temperature and diluting nitrites and nitrates. The refugium tank adds water surface area which helps keep the water oxygenated. A live sand bed or live rocks in a refugium house beneficial bacteria which converts deadly ammonia from waste and uneaten food into less harmful nitrites and nitrates. Some aquarists use refugiums as a place to grow macroalgaes, amphipodes and copepods to feed to the main tank, or to house plants and animals that might get eaten by other fish.

Things You'll Need

  • 30-gallon acrylic tank
  • Drill
  • PVC piping
  • Silicone sealant
  • Submersible pump
  • Plastic egg crate
  • Live sand or rock
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill two holes the size of your PVC piping on the opposite sides of an acrylic 30-gallon aquarium tank for your inflow and outflow pipes. Position the hole for inflow higher than the hole for outflow.

    • 2

      Place a submersible pump in your main aquarium or your sump.

    • 3

      Attach PVC piping leading from the submersible pump into the inflow hole of your 30-gallon refugium. Seal PVC into place with silicone sealant until it is watertight.

    • 4

      Place PVC leading from your outflow hole back into your main aquarium or sump so the water enters the main aquarium above water level (to prevent backwash.) Seal it up with silicone sealant.

    • 5

      Place a base of plastic egg crate two to four inches above the refugium floor. This creates a space called a "plenum." According to the article "Jaubert's Method, the Monaco System, Defined and Refined" by Julian Sprung, a plenum helps to oxygenate water and break down organic waste.

    • 6

      Add a thick bed of live rock or sand (rock or sand containing beneficial bacteria and other tiny organisms) on the refugium bottom.

    • 7

      Add plants or animals you wish to propagate in your refugium.