The Bucket Refugium | Checks all the boxes

How I DIY'd an inexpensive, light-leak-free, space-saving, & safe refugium in my saltwater reef tank.
Website: www.coraleuphoria.com
IG: / coral.euphoria
Facebook: / coral-euphoria-1033006...
Twitter: / coraleuphoria
Please subscribe and like. Thank you for the support!
#reeftanks #fishtanks #allmymoneygoestocoral

[@Reefkpr1]

Been in the hobby for over 20 years. Can't believe I haven't seen anyone do this before. Simple, cheap and brilliant idea!!!!!!! No more light bleed over and sump stays relatively clean. Ordering some uni seals. LOL

[@theideaofclips5481]

Reefkpr use regular bulk head

[@residentevil666ful]

Get more videos out bro. I consider you one of the few Acropora gurus who's methods work and have a real display to prove his point.

[@CoralEuphoria]

Thank you

[@brocklowe118]

I really like the fish feeding beginning!

[@AlsFishBarn]

Brock Lowe Yes it was awesome

[@chessmanmark9244]

I love the entertainment factor you incorporated into an informative video. You’ve transitioned to a new level. The coral shots were a bonus. Brilliant Boss!

[@CoralEuphoria]

*Update!!! The bucket refugium is going strong!* *Some modifications I recommend:* -Drill some emergency holes at the very top of the bucket in case your main drain gets clogged. (this happened only once when I really really neglected trimming the chaeto. Don't make the holes to low or light will leak out. -It would be ideal to either have some kind of metal plate where the light is sitting, or have a way so that it doesn’t move. A couple of times I was messing around in the sump and I didn’t realize that I knocked the light off center and the light melted the lid a little. Or just be careful.. *FAQs:* *-How much flow are you running through the bucket?* About 275gph *-Can I use a white bucket?* Yes, but the light will seep through. I recommened black. *-Where did you get your bucket?* Home Depot *-Are you concerned about the plastic leaching stuff in the water?* NO. As long as you have an HDPE bucket or food safe bucket it is fine. I don’t know why people get so crazy about plastic “leaching” stuff. People put light diffuser “egg crate” in their tanks for frag racks and that is so NOT food safe. Egg crate is probably the worse plastic ever. Don't come at me with your plastic leaching theories! 🤣 *-I don’t get the Uniseal portion.* Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poacaqupg951aLM *-The bucket won’t fit in my sump, what can I do?* Find a smaller bucket. I use a “square” 4 gallon bucket for my 15g sump on my quarantine tank. *-Does the bucket float?* Not when it’s filled with water. **You should also scroll through the comments to hear others' experiences** *Parts List:* -5 Gallon bucket with lid. Black is preferred so there is no light leakage. -1″ Uniseal for water output, although you can go larger or smaller depending on how much flow you pump through the bucket -0.5″ Uniseal for water input, although you can go larger on smaller depending on desired flow -1” and ½” PVC fittings and pipes that suit your set-up -Your light of choice -Pump to feed the bucket *Other* -I currently don't have snails in my bucket. Just chaeto. -I didn't bother putting a strainer on the output. I don't have a problem with chaeto going in there since it sinks

[@rubenpallares493]

Great video and great idea!! Question: How low did your install the uniseal for the input and for the output. At water line? Also, where did you drill holes on the bucket in case the output gets clogged to avoid over filling. Plz. Thank you in advance for your feed back.

[@CoralEuphoria]

@@rubenpallares493 the emergency holes are as high as possible. Drill them where you don't want the water level going higher if your main drain gets clogged. The main output hole is about 2-3 inches above my water line in my sump. It's not that important as your sump water level will be different and how you do things will be determined by your sump. The larger difference between your bucket fuge water level and the sump water level will mean more bubbles compared to if the two levels were closer. Essentially it's the "drop" in water that creates bubbles.

[@rubenpallares493]

@@CoralEuphoria thank you very much for your reply! I really appreciate it.

[@Will40th]

Where did you get 4g bucket

[@Will40th]

Any safe way to do the bucket out of the sump? If so same way you did but just silicone for safety?

[@adamkwek5888]

Great idea , love it !

[@g2delena]

The bucket idea is great. I have a 60 gal cube and I may put a finished cabinet next to my tank for additional equipment. My current cabinet is really small so there's very little room for any extra gear. Keep the videos coming. Thanks!

[@newzombie1]

SICK!! Just happened to stumble across your channel, right now I'm in the process of just researching as much as I can, going on 1.5 years now of just reading up on stuff and and watching videos. Lol 😅 Keep up the good work!

[@jamesmorrison1166]

My favorite reef tank channel.

[@matthewrowe2667]

Hi Abe. Great work! I made one of these and there is a few minor extra points for people. Especially if using on a manifold off the main return pump. 1. Make sure you do not get greedy with space and drill the outlet too high. This has already cost me a Kessil. If it is set too high the water sometimes overspills the lid on starting up each time (water changes) and burns the light out. 2. remove the lid and hang the light Safer). 3. make the outlet larger than the inlet. This helps with the above and also water noise.

[@kaldenkyulo4100]

Would it be okay to plug pump straight into the bucket? Also how many gph recommended for the bucket pump ?

[@thediscuslounge5152]

Great idea. I will definetly add one to my sump. I was sharing your concern about having the light spill during the night.

[@scottcurtiss9385]

That's awesome! I now know how I'm gonna do my fuge in this build. Thanks Abe. You da man!

[@franckborri3605]

Hi, great idea!💡 And I like your sense of humor 😁

[@tonycloseukreef3799]

amazing video the bucket simplicity in itself well done 👍👌

[@bluethumbaquaculture6370]

Loving your vids! super entertaining and creative content + spot on advise ! thanks for sharing!

[@CoralEuphoria]

Thanks!

[@hippyhippo100]

Very interesting idea, and I love the editing 👍

[@retroreefs7986]

Another great video!!!

[@MereReef]

This idea is genuis

[@gbj6581]

Actually thats a brilliant idea.. also the light for the fuge is contained in the bucket and not spilling out which is great because for me the light grows algea in the skimmer on the side that is facing the light.. so great idea thanks.. like an oversized algea scrubber too : )

[@chrish6659]

I can’t fit a full size bucket, so I’m looking for something that is solid to prevent light bleed but still do the fittings. Very smart. Well done!

[@martinhblake]

Excellent idea !!!!!!!👏👏👏

[@karankhanna6820]

Awesome idea.. Well executed. 👌

[@brentbarraza6392]

Great idea !

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Great diy, awsome video!

[@ReeferDave]

Pretty cool way to keep the light contained. 👍

[@michaeltalley1455]

Another great video. I'm stealing this idea when I redo my, old reef, now panted fresh water, back to reef.

[@YohanM99]

I saw it on one of your future videos. I'm going to be putting one on my tank tonight. i may make one change to add a backup overflow but awesome idea thanks for the video bro.

[@WilSantiagoReefing]

Excellent!

[@lovermansmith9082]

Good idea !

[@Arie_Idaho_Reef]

Great idea!!!!

[@MereReef]

Always love vids from abe this guy is so awesome

[@tang_nabbitchannel3898]

Amazing I’m OCD about a dirty sump also, that is awesome!

[@MrEZZY5]

Great idea 👌🏻

[@Reefahholic]

Nice edit job Abe. 😂✅👍🏼 Looking good man!

[@reeferstatus2781]

Dude!! that is genius !!!

[@jle_reefer]

Dude, this vid was hilarious 😂. Great job man. I know it’s an old vid but still valuable info

[@skzion2]

Very interesting idea. Thanks.

[@theideaofclips5481]

great video here man bout time i see this sceens in the hobby vids

[@randallwiesner4193]

Great idea to consider as I plan my build

[@michaelsussman8305]

Nice!

[@abuzdream]

Thank you brother ✨ you are a true hobbyist ✨✨✨✨✨

[@rashidmahmood24]

thats sooo true. the best ideas come to you when your on the toilet.

[@booyascone4003]

Lol man i was thinking how to clean up my sump set up and boom here it is thanks for the video

[@tylerclontz]

Man Abe, I really like the way you do things. I hope to get to meet and learn more from you. Cheers 🍻

[@CoralEuphoria]

I appreciate that!

[@braveheartreefer525]

Great idea quality video production top job

[@teereefer1276]

Great video

[@sunnygoold9449]

Shower cap / rubber band gun scene is gold

[@sunnygoold9449]

I can't believe I missed this video (I was on holiday when it came out) - so awesome - great idea and the video is so well put together. It also means you can have more flow through the Chaeto and have lower flow through the sump.

[@zeldazaneta8990]

Just found this video, very dope and informatif, Liked & Subscribed

[@YJestChris]

Thanks!

[@googIereallysucks]

Your videos are getting better and better. Well done my friend.

[@andrew5762]

Top man Abe 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 need more vids buddy 😃

[@CrustaceonsReef]

I had the same bucket setup in 2018 (Also a san diegan reefer). Hint: Use an instant ocean bucket and it glows like a 1950’s store sign.

[@AlexVaughnKing]

Each video gets better and better! Keep up the good work!

[@ELENTE_]

Nice editing!! Very pro

[@Saltydog547]

You are funny. Hahaha. Really love your video

[@Mg2011el]

That genius:) 🌟

[@jrs277]

@4:32 lololol you cracked me there

[@reptilewizz]

Amazing

[@FriendM2010]

Unfortunately, probably 90% of us didn’t buy a big enough sump and have no room in sump for bucket as skimmer gets that real estate. My ATO reservoir is a HD bucket next to sump. 🤘 Newbies will soon realize, you can never have enough buckets.

[@kamranasif2004]

Awesome.

[@saltnic2962]

thanks Abe thats exactly what i want.

[@calipsosreefs4843]

Love the part trying to put the bucket inside the sump

[@arizonahascactus9697]

Bucket in the Sump. Sounds like a Frank Zappa tune. Great diy, btw.

[@Quinoking54]

Hahahahha nice video man!

[@scotttang6229]

yes! This is genius!

[@stevenhill1291]

Omg that is awsome

[@azizalshark4130]

It's clear tank and amazing

[@JohnWestHam]

Intro is awesome

[@charafdablaq1707]

It is genius !

[@moereefer]

Bro best idea plan sweet

[@AlsFishBarn]

So smart

[@jonathaningham6120]

I think it's a great idea to genius!!

[@ronswanson9004]

Great info. I just built a fuge just like yours. Works awesome. Where did you get that 1 inch threaded strainer (6:37 mark). Please let me know.

[@magro41]

Very nice, very clean and super effective. Love watchin your vids. Quick Q, does the buckets lid get affected by the heat generated from the Kessil?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Hi not at all. Its fan cooled and there are vent holes on the side

[@fedeuma]

You are a genius! What pump are you using to feed the bucket/fuge??

[@thegolflife7565]

Interesting

[@zachbrown1868]

Genius

[@DiepBlueC]

man i love these vids. Hey what fish do you keep in your frag tank?

[@CoralEuphoria]

👌 powder blue tang, kole tang, yellow tang, maroon clown, hawkfish, 6 line wrasse, royal gramma, and a bunch of filler damsels

[@hynos323]

Wow. Such a great idea! Quick question, Do you dose or running cal reactor? If dosing what pump are you using? Or what calcium reactor? Thanks?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Thank you! Currently I am dosing. I'm using one of the cheaper dosing pumps, a bubble MagusBM T01. in the past i Had a calcium reactor on this tank but it was a bit undersized for my demands. It was a geo 612. But i find it easier to adjust dosing compared to the reactor, but that might have been partly because it was too small for my system.

[@tsurro8086]

Nice idea, never liked cheato, I use calurpa, less messy!!

[@arturweintritt6801]

Hi what a perfect construction....can you tell me what kind of bucket you use is it a special plastic? I have also a problem with my ph....morning 7.8 and evening 8.2....and it is a good solution for it.

[@lavasyst]

Awesome dude, we wil call you buckethead from now on 😄. Great video ! What reactor do you use to run your rowashos in? 👍😜

[@CoralEuphoria]

Thanks! Phosban reactor. The smaller one

[@wilmersoemo]

Hey just a quick question, how did u actually fit the bucket into the sump 😅

[@JoseSanchez-ku3up]

🙌

[@Utubereefer]

Building one of these right now

[@ryancasey3914]

Soon bulk reef supply will be selling bucket with lights on top for 500 dollars

[@CoralEuphoria]

😂

[@tom-andrethomsen]

They don't strike me as a company that would pray on their customers/fans like that. Maybe if they included Kessil light in the kit... 😉

[@vytlphlow7964]

LoLoL

[@deividasspuris8342]

Hey COOL idea! Also question what that's gadget you use in the beggining of video to thaw the food out, so the water doesn't go into tank? I want one now :)

[@CoralEuphoria]

Thanks. It's a strainer that I DIYd

[@TGODxRaid]

👀👀👀👀 let’s talk about that food strainer thing

[@joeb1906]

Lol for real

[@moneysmoneywoney]

New video👍

[@mitian]

ha ha ha you are funny!

[@fabac3010]

Awesome! What pump do you use? How much flow through the bucket?

[@CoralEuphoria]

I think its a sicce. about 275 gph

[@jestronixhanderson9898]

There ya go, that bucket is reef safe. I’ve always been worried about plastic contamination

[@vietmai0425]

What equipment are you using to film?

[@rudra7615]

Tunze is like "hold my beer" Their macro algae reactor does exactly what you said, you simply reach in, throw the overgrown chaeto out and close the lid. And I'm sure with Black Friday coming, you can get one for under $300?

[@brinks128]

Awesome,, what intensity do you have it on and which setting you have it on, bloom or red?

[@CoralEuphoria]

I have it a little past halfway. One time i accidentally moved it to full blast and it melted the plastic lid a little. Probably best to have it sitting on some sort of metal if you need the intensity that high. I have it right between bloom and grow. Grows macro algae like mad!

[@brinks128]

Great, thank you again..I just built one just like yours...

[@hugomagana32]

Coral Euphoria do you still run it at this intensity??

[@vytlphlow7964]

I had a question. With the H160 being so close to the water surface do you deal with any heat issues or have to turn intensity down a lot?

[@CoralEuphoria]

there are no heat issues with it that I know of. It probably adds some heat, but not a big deal

[@jkturtle6384]

Hey man. Hows the bucket fuge still going? Looking at doing the same as i hate dirty sumps. Any changes or anything you wish you did a certain way when you first set it up?

[@CoralEuphoria]

The only change would be to drill some emergency drain holes near the top of the bucket in case a whole wad of chaeto gets caught in the output. This happened once when i totally neglected to prune the chaeto in a long time. It works very well overall. I run it 24/7 nowadays.

[@caramelkyd]

I have a ~30 gallon (120 Litres) tank and buying a kessil H160 would cost around the same as a small Algae reactor. What would be a better option? Are there cheaper lighting options that would work? Mainly want a refugium or something similar to grow a micro fauna population to eventually add Mandarins into the tank.

[@CoralEuphoria]

There are definitely cheaper lighting options out there. A lot of people use fixtures from Amazon. But I couldn't give you any specific examples. Maybe just search for grow lights.

[@neilmansi3718]

Hiya Abe, just one more question on your fuge. Mines now up and running - what lighting schedule to you use to light yours and what percentage intensity do you use ? Thanks for all your help Fella.

[@CoralEuphoria]

I used to run an H160 at about 75% for 12 hours, but the duration and intensity will depend on your nutrient load.

[@joeb1906]

I’m about to do the same method you created man. So the inlet is ran by a pump? You have two pumps now in your sump? Please share

[@CoralEuphoria]

Yes I have a small spearate feed pump in the sump about 300gph.