Nano Systems/Refugiums (LifeReefugiums)

Nano Prefilters are at the bottom of this page too, you will need one....

For those wanting the benefits of a full-sized system squeezed into a small cabinet space I have designed a number of systems to accommodate your needs. The reasons for going to a system of this design are numerous:

A fully viewable system, not hidden behind the aquarium
More efficient and better protein skimmer selection
Easier to access mechanical/chemical compartments
Increased water volume which is essential for small aquariums
Increased flow rates through sump and refugium
Having a refugium for the propagation of copepods/crustaceans and the benefits of natural algae filtration

When possible, there are five separate compartments or chambers to handle all aspects of a proper sump/refugium design:

Input chamber to handle the incoming water and airbubbles and turbulence
Mechanical/chemical chamber for removal of particulates so as to not clog the refugium, and a place to use bagged media
Protein skimmer chamber where water flows across the chamber before going into the refugium
Refugium area, maximized as much as possible for volume and viewing
Sump/return pump area, again maximized for as much water volume as possible

For those of you who prefer the stock protein skimmer but want to increase water volume along with a refugium, a simpler three-chambered unit is available.

Of course you will also need a hang-on prefilter and I have designed some just for nano aquariums!

Below are a number of systems designed for some of the more popular nano aquariums. This is certainly not all that can be built as I have designed and built many more that are not show here. Of course what can be designed is based on how much space you have to work with.

And, as it has been for 27 years, Lifereef systems are NOT stocked but built only when you order. This way if you have any special requirements or needs these can be accommodate. In other words you do not have to accept one of those off-the-shelf things and try to make it work.

Note: I will not make any protein skimmer recommendations for inclusion in any of these builds. You are left to choose a protein skimmer you wish to use and a system will be designed to work with that protein skimmer. Though the photos show the Tunze 9002 protein skimmer it is not an endorsement nor a recommendation but just a very popular protein skimmer that many have chosen to use and a system designed to use that protein skimmer. Sump/refugium design is very specific with regards to the protein skimmer used. Some skimmers require high water level operation and others a low water level operation, and hang-ons of course have their requirements. I will design a sump/refugium system to work with your skimmer selection where possible.

LRSM-D for the Red Sea aquariums RSM 130/130D or any Nano aquarium
click photo for larger pic	Designed to fit into the cabinet space (all of it) This was the first nano sump/refugium for the RSM aquariums. Though designed for the Tunze 9002 protein skimmer it can also be designed for many other skimmers, space permitting. 20 x 17 x 16 for the RSM cabinet or custom sized for your cabinet. For larger builds price will be adjusted accordingly. You will need 3 3/4" behind your aquarium rim for the prefilter. See the RSM Nano Prefilter details further down this page.	Required Modifications for the RSM aquarium Center canopy lift-up cover needs simple modification for the Nano RSM prefilter which you can do or we can supply a ready-to-install cover. A diagram showing the modification is included in the prefilter instructions. This mod is required if you will be removing your RSM protein skimmer. This mod is required if you will keep your RSM skimmer in its stock location. Note one hinge pin has been shortened.	Priced as follows: Complete System $869.00 Separate Components: Prefilter $119.00 Sump/Refugium $469.00 Tunze 9002 $149.00 Light Canopy $69.00 MagDrive7 pump $83.00 RSM Cover $ 25.00 (not included in system price) Black, Silver, White (See Nano Prefilters below)

LRSM-250 for the Red Sea aquarium RSM250
click photo for larger pic	Designed as a two-piece sump/skimmer component and a separate refugium component to fit into the RSM 250 cabinet. Sump: 15 1/2 x 18 x 14, approximately 8 gal volume Refugium: 14 x 18 x 18, approximately 15 gal volume If you'd like a narrow refugium (less than 14") so some storage space is still available in your cabinet, it can be done, just tell me when you order. Lifereef SVS2-24 protein skimmer and Mag9 pump capable of aquariums up to 250 gallons. NO, it is not oversized for this aquarium. Mag9 system/refugium pump moves water to the aquarium and separately to the refugium for independent flow control. Can also be designed for other protein skimmer makes and can be used for any other aquarium makes, not just the RSM. You will need 3 3/4" behind your aquarium rim for the prefilter. See the RSM Nano Prefilter details further down this page.	Required Modifications In order for the Nano RSM Prefilter to fit you will need to modify the fan opening as shown below. Or you can make a similar sized opening 5" wide in the center area where the RSM protein skimmer was. The center panel of the RSM cabinet will require two 3" holes for in/out fittings to the refugium. These are easily drilled using a 3" hole-saw.	Priced as follows: Complete System $1199.00 Separate Components: Prefilter $119.00 Sump side $319.00 Refugium side $219.00 SVS2-24 skimmer/pump $423.00 MagDrive9 system pump $102.00 16" Light Canopy $99.00 Hoses, clamps, fittings are included with sump/refugium and prefilter purchase. (See Nano Prefilters below)

LRBC for the BioCube or any Nano aquarium
click photo for larger pic	Designed for the BioCube this system again uses the Tunze 9002 protein skimmer but can be designed for others too, space permitting. 17 x 14 x 16, or whatever your cabinet dimensions will allow. Larger builds will be priced accordingly. Return pump is a Mag7 16" light canopy (not shown) fits above refugium You will need 3 3/4" behind your aquarium rim for the prefilter. See the Lifereef Nano Prefilter for BC details details further down this page.	Required Modifications: The Nano BC Prefilter must fit into the right rear chamber. We don't have any photos but so far no one has had any problems fitting this on the rim. As soon as someone sends a photo it will be posted. Aquarium hobbyists are very adept at getting things to work on their tanks.	Priced as Follows: Complete System $819.00 Separate Components: Prefilter $119.00 Sump/Refugium $419.00 Tunze 9002 skimmer $149.00 MagDrive7 $83.00 Light Canopy $99.00 (See Nano Prefilters below)

Model A
click photo for larger pic	Just another variation on a 5-chambered sump/refugium design. Skimmer fits in front left corner, input and mechanical/chemical chambers behind skimmer chamber, central refugium, and sump/return pump on right. Size determined by available space but height is 16" not including light canopy. The sump/refugium dislayed measures 20 x 12 x 16		Priced as Follows: Sump/Refugium $449.00 (final price based on size) Prefilter $119.00 MagDrive7 $83.00 Light Canopy, $69-$99 (See Nano Prefilters below)

Model B
click photo for larger pic	This fantastic design uses the Lifereef SVS2-24 in-sump protein skimmer and features six separate chambers or compartments: 1. Input/bubble trap 2. Mechanical/chemical media chamber 3. Transition chamber with removable grid between media chamber and refugium 4. Refugium 5. Removable post-filter media rack 6. Sump/return pump and skimmer chamber Protein skimmer uses the MagDrive9.5 pump and the return pump is a MagDrive7. 20 long x 17 deep x 16 high, skimmer is 22 1/2 high	Photos showing more detail will be posted soon.....	Priced as Follows: Complete System $1149.00 Separate Components: Prefilter $119.00 Sump/Refugium $499.00 Skimmer and Mag9 pump $423.00 MagDrive7 return pump $83.00 Refugium Light $69.00 (See Nano Prefilters below)
Nano Prefilters for Red Sea and Bio Cube Go Here for prefilters for larger aquariums.
Front View Optional Lifereef Silencer shown in right prefilter but can be used in "WEDGE" version also. Rear View "WEDGE" verson inner box shown on right	This Nano-Prefilter was designed for use on the Red Sea Max 130 and 250 aquariums. For the RSM130 and 130D: If you will be removing your RSM protein skimmer order the RSM NANO prefilter. If you will keep your RSM protein skimmer in its stock position order the RSM WEDGE.prefilter. Tank Canopy Modifications: The top rear cover of the RSM130/130D will need a modification as shown. A modified canopy is also available for $25.00. For the RSM250: Order the LRSM Nano Tank Rim Modification: The left rear fan opening will need modification as shown below.	Lifereef RSM Nano Prefilter Features: AUTO-RESTART when power resumes, always 100%. No aqua-lifter pump or other device needed! All edges radiused and chamfered, no sharp corners 1" diameter siphon tube. No nipples or other connectors on siphon tube that could allow siphon to break causing flood. 1 1/2" of up/down adjustment of inner box. Inner box cannot be knocked out of vertical alignment. Long lasting and easily cleaned foam filter element. Will not overflow, even if foam element becomes dirty. 3/4" male thread output, hosebarb and clamps included Optional Lifereef Nano Silencer NOTE: You will need 3 1/4" behind your aquarium rim to fit the prefilter. A narrow 2" version can be made but you will not be able to use the foam filter element or the Silencer.	Priced as Follows: RSM Nano $119.00 RSM Wedge $119.00 Lifereef Silencer $19.00 You might also want to order the following: Modified Cover $ 25.00 (specify color) 3/4" vinyl tubing $1.25/ft 5/8" vinyl tubing $ .95/ft Return J-tube $9.00 Mag7 pump $83.00 3/4" ball valve/barb $5.00 Spare Siphon $11.00 Return J-Tube This is how the water gets back to your aquarium.
Nano BC	Nano Prefilter Box	See above for features. You will need 3 1/4" behind your aquarium rim. A narrow 2" version can be made but you will not be able to use the foam filter element or the Silencer.	Price: $119.00 Lifereef Silencer: $19.00 You might also want to order the following: Modified Cover $ 25.00 (specify color) 3/4" vinyl tubing $1.25/ft 5/8" vinyl tubing $ .95/ft Return J-tube $9.00 Mag7 pump $83.00 3/4" ball valve/barb $5.00 Spare Siphon $11.00
Lifereef Nano Silencer	The Lifereef Nano Silencer is for all the above Nano Prefilter boxes. You cannot use the foam filter element if you use the Lifereef Nano Silencer. Unlike Durso, Stockman, and Gurgle Buster, this nano version was specifically designed to work with Lifereef Prefilter boxes. Water enters all the way at the bottom via slots, not at the top or subsurface as in other silencers.	This Lifereef designed Silencer is used to make the Lifereef prefilter boxes run quiet, that is, if it happens to make noise. Not all installations will make noise and you never know until you have it installed and running. Two methods can be tried to silence or lessen the noise: 1. Snaking a hose (included) down the drain line. 2. Adjusting the return water flow If neither of these work the Lifereef Silencer should.	Price: $ 19.00