Critter safe return pump?

[Hammer]

Ok, I know the best way is to have the refugium above tank water level and have a passive return flow. But that is not really possible for me for some time.
I also have an older Rio 2100 that I am using for return that I wouldn't mind not using any more

Any one have one or know anything about a safer return pump? I read something about a screw type, but that just sounds $.
I don't mind TOO much that little critters get chopped up, just more food for the tank. But I would rather have most make it through alive for a better system.

 

[2poor2reef]

I think enough of them make it through as it is. All my show tank pod population migrated through from a refugium through my sump using a regular return pump.

 

[Hammer]

Well, let me say this, I plan on a Mandarin in the future. And I want a refugium that maintain a constant supply of food in addition to what I am building the main tank to support.
I would prefer a simple pump to return the critters so I don't have to elevate the refugium so this little guy has food.
I will not compromise one of these because I cannot feed it adiquatly. And a safe return pump just makes my job that much easier.

 

[Hammer]

Hmm, hope I can feed him better then I can spell

[ August 06, 2001: Message edited by: Hammer ]

 

[2poor2reef]

You said it yourself in your original post Hammer, "I don't mind TOO much that critters get chopped up, just more food for the tank." I'll bet your fish won't mind either. I believe that most pods get through alive. I believe that most that don't are crushed but edible by fish. I believe that the alternatives are prohibitively expensive. But I too would be interested in one that isn't.

 

[fishfarmer]

I pondered this dilemma a while back, there really isn't anything available to the hobbyist. I believe bellows pumps and archimedes screw pumps are the most plankton friendly, but are big for most hobby applications. FWIW I see copepods living in my return hose from my RIO 1700 sump pump.

Do you have the option of placing the refuge next to the main tank? You may be able to move water back into the main tank using an air lift, basically a siphon tube with bubbles lifting the water back into the tank.

 

[SuperLeet]

cmon guys! use the simplest pum of all, the air lift! thats been the main guidline for refugiums and algae scubbers for years!

 

[davelin315]

I also see things in my return lines (copepods, limpets, etc) and I use a regular pump. Or, you could always try the buckets on a line being run by a hamster on a wheel pumps.....

 

[danmhippo]

LOL....Yeah, airlift!

Imagin the size of air pump to drive 1200GPH to my main tank from the sump!!

Seriously, I have tested dropping pods from the pump intake and catch them by net at the main tank. Most survived the ride except for some feeder shrimp. I have a Iwaki as my return pump.

 

[Hammer]

For now, and until I can make a stand/cabinet for the refugium to go on/in. I will just continue to use the current return pump.
I am not after a TON of current, but I do like have a fair amount from the return pump coming into the tank.
And WOW, I just saw a 2" long bristleworm tonight. Last one I saw was about a month ago, and it was only 1/2" long. Could it be the same? Do they grow that fast?
And yeah, like damnhippo says, what kind of air pump would I need? Just wheel in my air compressor from my shop?

And I just plan on the Rio going out at the worst possible moment. I would rather replace it before it dies, and just keep it as a spare. Much safer that way.

 

[Anonymous]

I screened one of my returns with a very fine mesh and was very pleased with the results. Out of hundreds of critters ranging from copepods to amphipods only a few large amphipods and baby brine shrimp were DOA.

The return was from an Iwaki wmd40rlt with an 8' head. This is really not an issue....

 

[jdeets]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by danmhippo:
<STRONG>Seriously, I have tested dropping pods from the pump intake and catch them by net at the main tank. Most survived the ride except for some feeder shrimp. I have a Iwaki as my return pump.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did those pods realize that their potential demise was only to further the advancement of the hobby, or did they think they were being unnecessarily tortured???

 

[danmhippo]

Damn, I need to find that pamphlet........(Thanks to Steve, SPC)....Serenity Now.....Serenity Now....

 

[Baalz]

my critters have no problems getting through my Mag12 and sen900
I got snails in my skimmer, critters in sump and even little white stars in main tank.. all from refugium

 

[Dewey]

Inland aquatics (www.inlandaquatics.com) used to sell some pump that they claimed didn't chop up the critters. I have never seen or used it.