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Dsophia

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I've been told a few times to start a thread on this, so I'm sitting down and finally just getting it done. Let me know what you guys think, and thanks for looking.

8241-show-refugium-img_4393-jpg


Here's the finished product. The angled walls hold two chambers on either side. Water comes in from the DT, fills the chambers, then rolls over the chamber walls into the main section. The angle of the water rolling backwards creates perfect current and mixture for macroalgae. It's proven to be extremely efficient, my DT has exploded since its addition to the system.

8242-show-refugium-img_4235-jpg


This is the pre-prototype to test the basic function. Had a few issues that made acrylic the man for the job.
The bad news is that this is the only picture of the construction process. The entire build was a blur, I didn't think once of taking pictures. Just getting it done before my mandarin died of starvation, lol. I've got a few computer renderings and shots of random things for reference. The next one will be documented better, promise.
 

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d2mini

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It's really cool looking. Glad you finally started a thread. :)

I'm a bit confused on how the flow works and why it works so well.
If its coming down both sides, moving backwards, what happens when it gets down near the substrate?
Seems like it would fight each other and you wouldn't end up with much flow in the middle.
Can you explain the flow pattern?

How long has it been running?
Any recent pics (if that one is older)?
Anythign else is in there besides the macros?
 

jqsquared

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Maybe you could run a test with regular water and some food coloring or dye of some kind to see the current? then throw that video up!
 
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Dsophia

Dsophia

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Thanks guys! The flow hits the substrate at the back corners and rolls up to the center. The drain is a 5" skimmer in the back center. The size pump determines how fast, and angle, the current rolls. Maybe I'll see what I can do with phytoplex. That might make a good video.
It's been running for about two months now. Lots of growth, minus what everyone has picked up over the last few weeks. I'll put up some shots today.
 
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Dsophia

Dsophia

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[video=youtube;KcLPXtgh2Pc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcLPXtgh2Pc&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Here's a video of the first test.
 
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Dsophia

Dsophia

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[video=youtube;SBVgahCeDMw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBVgahCeDMw[/video]

And a quick video two months later. The macro grows like crazy. Thanks to all of you that have come and picked some up.
 
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Dsophia

Dsophia

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[video=youtube;W42JUvoWItA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W42JUvoWItA&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Here's a quick video that shows the flow movement. I dosed the tank with phyto in the right side chamber and let it roll in.
 
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Dsophia

Dsophia

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That's really cool. This month, the BRS photo contest is about refugiums. You might win the $200 with a photo of this one.

Thanks for keeping me in mind! Izzy told me the same thing. Hope it does well, lol.
 
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That is truly sick. That first picture you showed looks like jewelry should be in there. LOL
Thanks for the videos, too. That's helps me understand your design. It's a bit over-elaborate for my tastes, but I like seeing other people's minds at work.

...and, no one can deny that it definitely works. ;) Now, get some ponies and pipes in there! :)
 
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Dsophia

Dsophia

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That is truly sick. That first picture you showed looks like jewelry should be in there. LOL
Thanks for the videos, too. That's helps me understand your design. It's a bit over-elaborate for my tastes, but I like seeing other people's minds at work.

...and, no one can deny that it definitely works. ;) Now, get some ponies and pipes in there! :)

Thanks! I love feedback on this kind of thing. I'm starting on an updated design for the next fuge, and a DT to go with it. Let me know if you have any ideas to throw at me.
 
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