Refugium set up and pods

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

Hi all
I currently have a HOB refugium on my JBJ 30 AIO. It is on the side as when I set up the tank I was not thinking of doing one so there was not enough room to hang it on the back. If I have no choice I will keep it there as I have a mandarine and it's great for my nutrients but it's ugly as heck

so I know many members with AIO's have made a back chamber in to a refugium but in mine the far right chamber has a media basket, next to that chamber is the heater. Middle chamber is my return pumps. Left chamber is my HOB Aquamaxx protein skimmer. So I guess my question is can I make my middle chamber into a refugium? I have the stock pumps in there. Please don't laugh or blast me on this question but if I can change it will any pods in that middle chamber get to my DT, or will they get caught up in the return pipes and nozzles? They're kinda small. Remember no question is a wrong question

Thanks!!

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

#reefsquad

jsker · Nov 15, 2016

Good question

Shep · Nov 15, 2016

Wish I could help but I have never used an AIO tank before

Shep · Nov 15, 2016

Wish I could help but I have never used an AIO tank before

MaiReef · Nov 15, 2016

Yes they will get back into the tank. It may not be the volume that you currently have though. Depends on how well they do in the refugium.

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

Shep said:
Wish I could help but I have never used an AIO tank before

Thanks

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

MaiReef said:
Yes they will get back into the tank. It may not be the volume that you currently have though. Depends on how well they do in the refugium.

Thank you

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

jsker said:
Good question

Thanks

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

I should also mention that right now I can't set up a in stand sump or refugium. 2 reasons :
1. I'm hoping to upgrade in the next 6 Mos.
2. I probably could do it after many YouTube videos but just not comfortable doing it.

melypr1985 · Nov 15, 2016

One think you gotta take into account is that if you use that middle chamber (the one with your return pumps) as your refugium, you might have a problem with the macro algaes getting sucked into the pumps causing them to fail without regular cleaning.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 15, 2016

That's a good question Chris. I would not convert the back chamber and remove the hang on, if you have a mandy that's depending on it. It won't put out the numbers you need. I put rock rubble in mine where it's hard to get the light in there to grow algae and it helps a little. When I disturb the rock, I see them running.

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

melypr1985 said:
One think you gotta take into account is that if you use that middle chamber (the one with your return pumps) as your refugium, you might have a problem with the macro algaes getting sucked into the pumps causing them to fail without regular cleaning.

I agree, thank you I know when I get some stray algae floating around its a pain getting it out of the nozzles.:mad: I had lots of doubts about doing it I'm glad I posted this thread.

melypr1985 · Nov 15, 2016

Chrisfish said:
I agree, thank you I know when I get some stray algae floating around its a pain getting it out of the nozzles.:mad: I had lots of doubts about doing it I'm glad I posted this thread.

It's always good to bounce ideas off the guys and gals of the forum. Helps you get it straight in your head.

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
That's a good question Chris. I would not convert the back chamber and remove the hang on, if you have a mandy that's depending on it. It won't put out the numbers you need. I put rock rubble in mine where it's hard to get the light in there to grow algae and it helps a little. When I disturb the rock, I see them running.

Thanks Renee, as I told @melypr1985 i had my doubts. I have some rock rubble in the back chamber and I had no problems with the pumps. I will keep the HOB and ignore how it looks, my Mandy is more important. She also eats live black worms and frozen LRS.

So I feel better about having her as I know my tank was probably not as established as should have been. Thanks again and congratulations on your new "adventure"

bairdimusprime · Nov 15, 2016

great question... but I have never used an AIO tank before... sorry i cannot be of any help

Lionfish Lair · Nov 15, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Thanks Renee, as I told @melypr1985 i had my doubts. I have some rock rubble in the back chamber and I had no problems with the pumps. I will keep the HOB and ignore how it looks, my Mandy is more important. She also eats live black worms and frozen LRS. So I feel better about having her as I know my tank was probably not as established as should have been. Thanks again and congratulations on your new "adventure"

My mandy loooooved his blackworms. We fed those our several times a week and he lived 8 years. He ate frozen foods as well, but adored the blackworms.

Chrisfish · Nov 15, 2016

bairdimusprime said:
great question... but I have never used an AIO tank before... sorry i cannot be of any help

Thanks

jsker · Nov 15, 2016

I am thinking, wait the six months before making any changes

Lets see if there are anymore ideas?

Arceneauxone · Nov 15, 2016

If you're for sure to upgrade, wait. If upgrading is just a good idea, but not solid, I would make pod cages with wire mesh and rock rubble. I've seen them on several forums and they can be hidden behind rock. I've never used an AIO, but I had rock rubble in my overflow with durso stand pipes. I stopped feeding my fish after a year. They never starved. I did initially stock my tank with 1000 pods and kept a low bio load for a 65 as well.