First time refugium

[ethuman]

I am giving my first refugium a try so i ordered a CPR HOB because i have no room in my sump. Ive been battling cyno and hair algae recently so i think its time to give this a try. I have a dual reactor with GFO and carbon which seems to help but hasn't completely gotten rid of the problem.

Anyone else running one of these? Just looking for some feedback on how well they work?

Also it came with a Rio 600gph pump and after setting it up it seems like a lot of flow through it so I'm wondering how much to slow it down if at all?

Going to find some Cheato this week and get it started but I don't plan on any mud or rock in there the Cheato and see how it works out. Hopefully it will get rid of the algae in the DT once and for all.

 

[Orm Embar]

I've read many mixed reviews on them; for a HOB skimmer, I would generally recommend AquaMaxx or Reef Octopus. Having said that, with chaeto and a good LED grow light (24 watt for me), I took my skimmer out because I didn't need it. Food input is about 1/4 to 1/2 cube daily with 2 scoops Reef Chili daily; I could probably double that and still not have a problem (my estimate, no raw data on that though)

 

[ethuman]

I have an in sump reef octopus 150sss that i am currently using but I'm trying out the HOB fuge. Does adding pods benefit even if I don't anything in my tank that will eat them like a mandarin? I'll plan on adding some anyways i think

 

[deedubz]

I don't have a sump so I picked up a cpr fuge for my 55. It's cool for what it is. One of the kits comes with an led light and, while it's nothing to write home about, it does grow chaeto for me. There is a valve right above where the pump is submerged that can lower flow if you'd like.

As far as pods go, they can't hurt. I do have a dragonet(also eats frozen and pellets) and a few wrasses so I stock pods. The other fish pick at them too though

 

[ethuman]

I picked up the light for it as well. I know about thee valve to adjust the flow as well i was just wondering how others were running this setup. Are you running it wide open or half flow or less? Going to pick up some Chaeto this week and see how it goes before adding any pods. I have amphipods that i can see in my tank but haven't really seen many copepods.

 

[deedubz]

I have mine wide open and haven't messed with it. Think it's been running that way for 9-10 months?

 

[deedubz]

Honestly, I added a bag at start up and maybe 2-3 bags since. The scooter and wrasses are fat so I can only assume the pods are keeping themselves regulated

 

[ethuman]

Arewsome thanks for the info