AGA 5.5G w/ AC500 refugium?

[thegrandpoohbah]

Not really livestock related but there wasn't anywhere better to post this. I'm planning a 5.5G pico tank with a 27W CF light fixture. I was thinking about using an AC500 for a refugium to grow some macro and house the heater. I was also going to use the AC surface skimmer attachment. Is the AC500 too big for this? I was afraid that there may be too much weight hanging on the back of the tank. Also, will the surface skimmer attachment help at all or should I not bother? Thanks.

[mykiss]

HHhhmmmm.... I was thinking that the SC500 would be too much for the 5g. I mean the water flow. But I guess you can always slow it down bu using a sponge over the intake and adjusting the U-tube.

I just finished building Mixxe a 3.5 g sump for her 5g tank. It also works out cheaper than buying a new AC500. I've also got one for my nano tank at work. perhaps I'll post a pic of it when it's up and running.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I think an AC500 WOULD be too much flow. Even at full flow control it still moves 166 GPH. How do you put a sump on such a small tank? Do you have to drill it? I do have a 4G tank that could be used as a sump.

[mykiss]

I've got a pump and the glass pieces to put it all together. I don't have to drill it. I use a U-tube and a small pump.

PM or call me and we can talk more. Cheers

[Melody]

Never mind going into your office with this little tidbit of information...lol...please do post some pic's if you have time Mr. Mykiss, here or in the articles/DIY section. One thing that I know very little about is sump systems so I would find that alone interesting.

Thanks & good luck on your project Mr. GP - I'd love to see pic's of that too. You people will have me talked into a marine tank yet!

[mixixe]

I just got mine today and Pat helped me figure out how to set it up :) and it's way cool. I'll post some pics when I get my new camera!

[Melody]

Thanks Mix - that Mr. Mykiss is a handy guy!

[andsoitgoes]

I know, I know - I'm a lurker galore but this is what 2am in the morning gets a guy =/

Mixxie's Sumpfugium is awesome, I saw it and it's using the head of an AC unit to do a gravity flow back into the main tank. Got baffles and everything!!

I'm getting an AC500 from fskhiu tomorrow, he's modified the flow enough that it won't be an issue in a 5.5g tank, and I'm going to add it on to mine with a nice lil CF light that he's providing. I'm really looking forward to it and I think it's going to help stabilize this tank superbly well.

Wallace - Did you think about looking at the Coralife Screw-In 50/50 bulbs? I'm using the 20w version (2 of 'em in a hood) and I have a 6700k flourescent light that's adding a bit of "flavour" to the tank - so far all is doing really well, I've fragged my GSP, COULD frag my Pipe Organs and Pulsing Xenia if I wanted and I've had ZERO algae problems once it established itself. The CF Daylight bulbs *really* make the tank look way yellow, moving to the 50/50's was the best thing I'd done!

[thegrandpoohbah]

I gave up on this idea for now. Thanks though.

[andsoitgoes]

I gave up on this idea for now. Thanks though.

awww... But it's SO cool, ask Mixxie or... ME :D Love my nano... they're so PERDY, and easy, and perdy. AND perdy :)

[Melody]

ACFT (Melody acronym - arms crossed, foot tapping) Waiting for pic's....

[andsoitgoes]

LOL - <points to thread in forum so as to not hijack this thread ^_^)

[mixixe]

I actually have a little power head on my fuge, not an AC. I posted the pics i think :) I can't remember, but should be in the photo section. I do love my nano! I think Nick and I are nano addicts, and now he's moving on to the bigger tanks!!! :laugh: