16 inch hang on refugium

AaronOB82 · Jan 15, 2015

Hey guys! I have a few concerns about my hang on refugium and figured someone on here would definitely be able to help me out. I just purchased this item from aquatraders and I'm absolutely loving it so far. I got the refugium/skimmer combo package. I did not get a light for it yet! I just set up a new 55 gallon tank so I also did not buy a cheato yet. I'm starting to notice, in the section where the cheato should be, there is some what looks to be algae growing on the bottom. Is this normal? Please help me!!

fishroomlady · Jan 15, 2015

I've not used a hang-on refugium but was this a clean, unused piece of equipment? how long has your tank been up and running and do you have excess phosphate? with excess phosphate, algae will grow

AaronOB82 · Jan 15, 2015

Everything was brand new when I purchased it. My phosphates are very low. My phosphate levels are at .5 and nitrates are at 0.0. I have a few questions about my skimmers collection cup. How low into the water is my collection cup supposed to be? And how do I know how many micro bubbles are suppose to be circulating up into my collection cup. Would pictures help?

AaronOB82 · Jan 15, 2015

KorD · Jan 15, 2015

I am not familiar with that type of setup, but for micro bubbles... you want as many as you can get to make the foam dark without adding too much water into the collection cup.. I do not know if it makes sense or not so I will add a picture.

here is a pic of the setup i am using.. the tube is clear but looks like it is white from all the bubbles. ( never mind the over flowing filter sock.. I was lazy but replaced it after I took the picture )

here is what you want to see, if it is clear liquid, then you have too many bubbles.

AaronOB82 · Jan 15, 2015

I'm not sure if my set up is too new, but I barely get any bubbles in my skimmer.

NanaReefer · Jan 15, 2015

KorD said:
I am not familiar with that type of setup, but for micro bubbles... you want as many as you can get to make the foam dark without adding too much water into the collection cup.. I do not know if it makes sense or not so I will add a picture.

here is a pic of the setup i am using.. the tube is clear but looks like it is white from all the bubbles. ( never mind the over flowing filter sock.. I was lazy but replaced it after I took the picture )

here is what you want to see, if it is clear liquid, then you have too many bubbles.