The Bucket Refugium | Checks all the boxes

[@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

[@YJestChris]

Thanks!

[@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?

[@brocklowe118]

I really like the fish feeding beginning!

[@AlsFishBarn]

Brock Lowe Yes it was awesome

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@bluethumbaquaculture6370]

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

[@CoralEuphoria]

Thanks!

[@jamesmorrison1166]

My favorite reef tank channel.

[@adamkwek5888]

Great idea , love it !

[@MereReef]

This idea is genuis

[@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 ?

[@tonycloseukreef3799]

amazing video the bucket simplicity in itself well done 👍👌

[@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!

[@retroreefs7986]

Another great video!!!

[@g2del]

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!

[@hippyhippo100]

Very interesting idea, and I love the editing 👍

[@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 : )

[@scottcurtiss9385]

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

[@AlexVaughnKing]

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

[@MereReef]

Always love vids from abe this guy is so awesome

[@braveheartreefer525]

Great idea quality video production top job

[@tang_nabbitchannel3898]

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

[@theideaofclips5481]

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

[@reeferstatus2781]

Dude!! that is genius !!!

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Great diy, awsome video!

[@thediscuslounge5152]

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

[@andrew5762]

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

[@franckborri3605]

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

[@ReeferDave]

Pretty cool way to keep the light contained. 👍

[@michaelsussman8305]

Nice!

[@Reefahholic]

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

[@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!

[@michaeltalley1455]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@skzion2]

Very interesting idea. Thanks.

[@jle_reefer]

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

[@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.

[@teereefer1276]

Great video

[@booyascone4003]

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

[@jrs277]

@4:32 lololol you cracked me there

[@zeldazaneta8990]

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

[@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.

[@rashidmahmood24]

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

[@Saltydog547]

You are funny. Hahaha. Really love your video

[@WilSantiagoReefing]

Excellent!

[@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??

[@randallwiesner4193]

Great idea to consider as I plan my build

[@martinhblake]

Excellent idea !!!!!!!👏👏👏

[@karankhanna6820]

Awesome idea.. Well executed. 👌

[@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

[@abuzdream]

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

[@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.

[@brentbarraza6392]

Great idea !

[@Quinoking54]

Hahahahha nice video man!

[@tstanley01]

Crazy thought, but do you think a white bucket would reflect the light around in the bucket more vs the black that absorbs the light?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Definitely but the bucket is going to glow and light up your sump which might cause algae in the sump

[@tstanley01]

@@CoralEuphoria I just came across your channel and am enjoying watching your videos. I do not care too much for rimless tanks either. Jumpers and light spill really outweigh the aesthetic of the tank for me.

[@Aquatic_Boys]

Like your style. Thanx for your knowledge. A white bucket with the top cut off would provably fit in your current black bucket and has the more reflection you want? All the best Abe 🤙

[@Arie_Idaho_Reef]

Great idea!!!!

[@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.

[@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

[@lovermansmith9082]

Good idea !

[@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.

[@MrEZZY5]

Great idea 👌🏻

[@arizonahascactus9697]

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

[@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.

[@wilmersoemo]

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

[@saltnic2962]

thanks Abe thats exactly what i want.

[@calipsosreefs4843]

Love the part trying to put the bucket inside the sump

[@Mg2011el]

That genius:) 🌟

[@fabac3010]

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

[@CoralEuphoria]

I think its a sicce. about 275 gph

[@ELENTE_]

Nice editing!! Very pro

[@doctorgolf8568]

I”m big fan of you, from thailand ,how long ur refu open the ur light? 🙏🏻

[@CoralEuphoria]

12 hours

[@fedeuma]

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

[@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

[@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

[@davileett1224]

Think this would be safe enough to use outside the sump?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Yes. You need to drill perfect holes with a hole saw

[@davileett1224]

@@CoralEuphoria that’s true. Would need to be awfully tight on the bulkhead too I would think.

[@CoralEuphoria]

@@davileett1224 Uniseals work great. Just drill the right size hole and they will work fine

[@davileett1224]

@@CoralEuphoria Interesting, you learn something new everyday. Thank you

[@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

[@moereefer]

Bro best idea plan sweet

[@lucrisp77]

After a year how is the bucket refugium going? What size pump are you using? Would you do anything different? Getting ready to install mine in two weeks

[@CoralEuphoria]

Great! I just posted a separate comment that was "pinned" to the top. Check it out.

[@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.

[@neilmansi3718]

I take it this could be gravity fed ? What flow through it would you recommend ? Thanks Abe

[@CoralEuphoria]

Around 300 is fine with a 1" output. Can go faster with bigger piping.

[@neilmansi3718]

@@CoralEuphoriathanks for the info

[@kaldenkyulo4100]

Can I put sand/miracle mud? Also and I plump the pump straight with no elbows? & thanks for being a genius 🙏🫡

[@neilmansi3718]

Would you consider a Red Sea Blue Bucket half sticking out the top of your lidded remote sump - as you put it . . . Ghetto ? ? Lol

[@CoralEuphoria]

@Kalden Kyulo yeah totally OK but depending on the flow the mud will be uneven while there isn't a lot of algae to slow the flow down

[@myenigma84]

Hi Abe. Do you still use this method of a light and bucket for primary nutrient removal?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Hi, I still use it , but currently i only turn on the light for 4 nights per week. I run rowaphos 24/7 and so i would call that my primary nutrient removal method

[@JohnWestHam]

Intro is awesome

[@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

[@hugomagana32]

Hey Abe do you use bleach when you clean out your filter sock? I’m assuming you throw them in the washing mashing and let them air dry ? Thanks

[@CoralEuphoria]

Yeah i invert then then i hose most of the

[@CoralEuphoria]

Yeah i invert them and then hose them off to get a lot of the detritus off. Ill leave it outside until i have enough for a load. Then ill wash with bleach. And let them dry before using. The skimmer sometimes goes crazy so ill leave it off for an hour after i change a sock

[@hugomagana32]

Coral Euphoria ok thank you . How much bleach do you use ?

[@CoralEuphoria]

@@hugomagana32 not much. Maybe half a cup.

[@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.

[@jbarcelona4]

Do U still have your bucket sump?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Bucket fuge? Yes. My sump is a 40g breeder

[@azizalshark4130]

It's clear tank and amazing

[@johnnyliu6271]

Abe, does having the light source sit right on top of the lid cause issues w/ heat? I'm thinking about doing the samething, but I'm concerned about heat warping the lid.

[@CoralEuphoria]

I have the light at about 2/3 intensity and there are no problems. If it's turned all the way up though, yes, the plastic will melt a bit. But If your light gets too hot, you could get around this by setting the light on top of a piece of wood or metal, instead of directly on the lid.

[@johnnyliu6271]

@@CoralEuphoria Do you think its worth upgrading to the H380 or, is the bucket just to small to need a light that big?

[@CoralEuphoria]

@@johnnyliu6271 yea thats way too much. Like i said 2/3 intensity is all thats needed

[@reptilewizz]

Amazing

[@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.

[@Tohei08]

Hey Abe, what size pump are you using for the input on your bucket fuge?

[@CoralEuphoria]

I believe its around 300gph

[@Tohei08]

@@CoralEuphoria Right on.. Thanks for the quick reply! I love the great ideas on your channel. Can't wait to try making those diy frag plugs too

[@tsurro8086]

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

[@jasong375]

Great video. Informative and hilarious. Does the output drain have to be above the water line or could it be placed below the water line ? Or is there not enough pressure pushing water through for that to work. Would the bucket just over flow ? Could really use your advice on this to help on my setup.

[@CoralEuphoria]

The drilled hole through the bucket for the output can be about the SAME LEVEL or ABOVE the level of water in the sump. NOT BELOW, because in that case, the sump water level will determine the level in the bucket, not the overflow. As long as the overflow piping is above the level in the sump, it will determine the water level in the bucket. The bigger the difference in the levels though, the more bubbles will be generated, so don't make the levels too different. For mine, the water level in the bucket is about 2 inches above the level of the sump water. You can make the water levels even closer, and have less bubbles, but you have to be mindful of what will happen if your return pump shuts off or the water level raises in the sump for any reason. Basically your bucket needs to be taller than the worst case scenario of the water raising in the sump, like if there was a power outage. Becuase if the water level in the sump touches the light sitting on the bucket, well then thats obviously bad.

[@brinks128]

Hi, so you do reverse lighting?

[@CoralEuphoria]

👍yes i do. Mainly to help with keeping the pH from dropping too low at night

[@jasong375]

Thanks for responding it really helped. One more question. Do I have to use an ELBOW for the drain inside the bucket or could I plumb it straight through the bucket with a strainer installed ( like you suggested) on the inside. This would give me another couple inches of water volume out of the bucket for my chaeto. ( The elbow with strainer extends pretty high even if I cut strainer down somehow) And I will be drilling emergency overflow holes near top like you said. Good idea. Again thanks in advance for your help.

[@CoralEuphoria]

You dont need an elbow

[@scotttang6229]

yes! This is genius!

[@vietmai0425]

What equipment are you using to film?

[@charafdablaq1707]

It is genius !

[@tfpjr]

Abe, are you still running the bucket fuge?

[@CoralEuphoria]

Yup

[@fishybizzness1592]

Hi. I just set one up. I have it feeding off of a manifold. Any chance of you putting out an updated video?