DIY fuge for large tank.

[Bixby'sMenagerie]

I have a 120g reef that's been running for about 2 years now. Looking to set up a hob fuge of some kind. All the diy options I can find are for tiny tanks. Any ideas for something more appropriate to a 4' tank? I have a sump, but I made it myself (poorly) so no way to keep cheato from going to the pump.

 

[Troylee]

I have a 120g reef that's been running for about 2 years now. Looking to set up a hob fuge of some kind. All the diy options I can find are for tiny tanks. Any ideas for something more appropriate to a 4' tank? I have a sump, but I made it myself (poorly) so no way to keep cheato from going to the pump.

Plenty of things to do but it sounds simplest to get a basket and put the chateo in it, similar to the ones people use for nems. even a strainer would work.

 

[Bixby'sMenagerie]

Plenty of things to do but it sounds simplest to get a basket and put the chateo in it, similar to the ones people use for nems. even a strainer would work.

Thisbis basically what I tried the first time, it eventually escapes and ends up in the pump, and by extension, my tang's digestive tract.

 

[TokenReefer]

How much room ya got? A full photo w the sump shown too might spark some ideas from people

 

[Troylee]

Thisbis basically what I tried the first time, it eventually escapes and ends up in the pump, and by extension, my tang's digestive tract.

I’m sure we can figure out a way to modify your sump baffles easy enough even while running to make it possible to keep down there.. I don’t like things hanging off my tank but that’s just me lol.. shoot some pics of your sump…

 

[areefer01]

I have a 120g reef that's been running for about 2 years now. Looking to set up a hob fuge of some kind. All the diy options I can find are for tiny tanks. Any ideas for something more appropriate to a 4' tank? I have a sump, but I made it myself (poorly) so no way to keep cheato from going to the pump.

Are we talking about a real refugium "refuge" or a place to grow cheato or other macro algae for nutrient export? Two different things although hobbyists will debate endlessly.

If you are looking for a macro algae place do a search for diy canister. Can be something small with a pump from sump to reactor, low power led strip wrapped around, small ball of cheato, and output to sump to return pump area that hangs on the side. Do a search and you will see them. Something like two little fishes reactor for an example.

Or you might be able to do a algae scrubber that sits over the sump. Again draw from sump into scrubber and exits back into sump. Or of course don't worry about it as they really are not necessary and look at your day to day habits and see if it is something in that process or just go by how the display looks.

TL: DR there are some small diy canister sort of things that can hang on the sump using a small pump and LED strips that could work for you.

 

[Bixby'sMenagerie]

This was my first and only attempt at a sump, as I could not find anyone to help me build it. I dont mind HOB options as long as they don't look ghetto. Being able to see the critters without bending over is neat and i wouldn't need a second light if it was HOB or in tank. Otoh I wouldn't say no to help with the sump either. I would prefer it as dual purpose nutrient export/pod haven. Currently fighting down the last bit of a nitrite spike. (Cyano. Yay)

 

[Troylee]

This was my first and only attempt at a sump, as I could not find anyone to help me build it. I dont mind HOB options as long as they don't look ghetto. Being able to see the critters without bending over is neat and i wouldn't need a second light if it was HOB or in tank. Otoh I wouldn't say no to help with the sump either. I would prefer it as dual purpose nutrient export/pod haven. Currently fighting down the last bit of a nitrite spike. (Cyano. Yay)

So you’re having trouble trying to keep the chateo down there in that fuge you currently have with rock?

 

[Bixby'sMenagerie]

So you’re having trouble trying to keep the chateo down there in that fuge you currently have with rock?

Tried twice, second time using a slotted rubbermaid tray to try to block it. Slots were too big it ended up slowly drifting out. It's full of rock because I only had a hob skimmer to work with as theres no way to get a new one in there without taking the whole dispplay tank off.