Refugium on a 10g NUVO?

[kiMxD]

Hello guys,

I am watching at this moment Inappropriate Reefer's $146 budget 10g build and I really like the way he modified the HOB filter to be a refugium.

Having that said, I just setup my another tank in my home last night, which is a 10g NUVO tank that I had sitting around. I'd really like to have some sort of refugium attached to it, having that said, I'd like to ask you what are your opinions on how could I make this happen?

Thank you all!

 

[mta_morrow]

Hello guys,

I am watching at this moment Inappropriate Reefer's $146 budget 10g build and I really like the way he modified the HOB filter to be a refugium.

Having that said, I just setup my another tank in my home last night, which is a 10g NUVO tank that I had sitting around. I'd really like to have some sort of refugium attached to it, having that said, I'd like to ask you what are your opinions on how could I make this happen?

Thank you all!

Take look thru the “nano” forum here. I’m sure there are folks doing it.

Also consider posting this question in the nano forum as well, as you may get more attention there for this particular request.

 

[davocean]

I once just hung an aquaclear filter that had no filter pads or anything, just a little LR rubble and chaeto, maybe something like that would work for you.

 

[hart24601]

I have used aquaclear filters, just empty them out, put chaeto in and a gooseneck or other light and you are good. I painted mine black with fusion just for looks and to block extra light. You can light from top or back, but if light through the back of the filter will want to paint the front or have a back on the tank so you don't get light in your eyes! You can also get a smaller impeller if flow is too much. I used an AC70 but put the smaller impeller in it to reduce flow.

 

[hart24601]

Oh I just noticed it's an all in one... I don't know if a HOB will fit and the back glass is black. Hmmm....

 

[kiMxD]

Oh I just noticed it's an all in one... I don't know if a HOB will fit and the back glass is black. Hmmm....

Exactly that. That's why I wanted to see if anyone else has ever done it hehehe. I am leaning towards getting an aquaclear filter, even if it dumps the water right into the in-sump it has, I'd be okay with it.

 

[Goneaway562]

Check out intank media baskets. I have a fuge basket for chamber 2 and it works great for chaeto. Just strip off some of the black on the back and mount a light and you’re good to go

 

[kiMxD]

Check out intank media baskets. I have a fuge basket for chamber 2 and it works great for chaeto. Just strip off some of the black on the back and mount a light and you’re good to go

Can you explain that a bit more, please? Do you have a 10g NUVO too? Thanks mate!

 

[hart24601]

I used an in-tank media basket on a biocube 14 for a couple years with a coralife mini t5 on the back as it had a strip of glass that wasn’t painted. It’s a solid solution if you can remove a strip of the black backing. The chaeto would grow so dense it became almost rock hard if I didn’t harvest it quickly. It was pretty amazing.

 

[kiMxD]

I used an in-tank media basket on a biocube 14 for a couple years with a coralife mini t5 on the back as it had a strip of glass that wasn’t painted. It’s a solid solution if you can remove a strip of the black backing. The chaeto would grow so dense it became almost rock hard if I didn’t harvest it quickly. It was pretty amazing.

Thank you for your input.

Now, what you guys think of setting up an external refugium? I was thinking to get a 5 gallon tank or something and put a pump from the 10g to the 5g and raise it higher so gravity can return to the 10g?

Thanks!

 

[cojo8888]

I feel like in small system like that it only helps stabilize ph not main nutrients export. What's your thought about it? For me refugium has to be 30% + more of total water volume

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I feel like in small system like that it only helps stabilize ph not main nutrients export. What's your thought about it? For me refugium has to be 30% + more of total water volume

the size isn’t all that matters. what you put in the fuge makes the difference.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Thank you for your input.

Now, what you guys think of setting up an external refugium? I was thinking to get a 5 gallon tank or something and put a pump from the 10g to the 5g and raise it higher so gravity can return to the 10g?

Thanks!

i personally wouldn’t bother plumbing an external fuge for this small of a tank. what is the size of your extra chamber?

 

[hart24601]

I feel like in small system like that it only helps stabilize ph not main nutrients export. What's your thought about it? For me refugium has to be 30% + more of total water volume

I have heard many times that small areas do not matter for nutrient export, but that is all I used with small w/c on my sps biocube and it worked great. Like I said the chaeto would grow so dense it was physically hard to break up. That was my experience at least. Did you run a small area for macro in a nano and had issues?

Of course bioload plays a large role and not over stocking tanks is particularly important with these small tanks.

 

[kiMxD]

i personally wouldn’t bother plumbing an external fuge for this small of a tank. what is the size of your extra chamber?

I am not sure, I have not measured it. Its an AIO Nuvo 10g.

 

[kiMxD]

I have heard many times that small areas do not matter for nutrient export, but that is all I used with small w/c on my sps biocube and it worked great. Like I said the chaeto would grow so dense it was physically hard to break up. That was my experience at least. Did you run a small area for macro in a nano and had issues?

Of course bioload plays a large role and not over stocking tanks is particularly important with these small tanks.

I have never ran a nano before, I have two 120g tanks and just setup the nano last night, some rock, sand, AI Prime and biospheres.

 

[Goneaway562]

Can you explain that a bit more, please? Do you have a 10g NUVO too? Thanks mate!

I have the 20g peninsula so my filtration chambers are the same size as the 10g NUVO. Here are some pictures of my fuge setup. I use an innovative marine fuge light which has a magnet to hold it in place. The chaeto has helped keep my nutrients in check even with 4 fish in my system.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

check this out:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/octo-fuge™.509434/