Small hob refugium?

gemini9 · May 14, 2014

I'm looking at ways to increase the quality of my water and still in a nitrate battle (sigh). I may start dosing vinegar next week, but this is a fairly new tank. I was also looking at the induction of macro algae or chaeto or something to help bring the nitrates down as well. I don't want to have chaeto all through the tank so I was considering some sort of a HOB refugium type thing that will fit. Between my skimmer and hob filter, I've only got about 8" of useable space on the back of my tank lol. Another option would be some sort of basket to hang inside my tank to hold the chaeto so it doesn't float around all over the tank. I wouldn't mind having some plant life in the tank if there are any which would work. But back to the HOB refugiums. Are there any small hob refugiums not wider than 8" that would work well? Or maybe I should just get some sort of basket? I'm open to ideas anyone may have.

booth2010 · May 14, 2014

I have seen people taking hob filters and using those as fuges. Worth lookin into

gemini9 · May 15, 2014

Hmmm. Ill look into it. Put some chaeto in a hob filter.

booth2010 · May 15, 2014

Yea that's all you'll put in it is your macro alga

Reefing Madness · May 15, 2014

THe HOB filters don't allow for enough macro algae to grow, meaning it wouldn't help much. The larger the fuge the more macro algae the better the water quality.

booth2010 · May 15, 2014

Well there are some large ones that might work. Would probably be best to make your own from acrylic. That would be a fun DIY project to try

Novillac · May 15, 2014

I've never done it myself but I set up a friend's refugium on his tank using a Fluval Aquaclear filter. Different sizes for different widths, you'd be able to find one that fit in the space. Then just a small pendant light to hand above or shine below would allow it to get the light it needed to keep growing and working for you.

Here is the DIY i used: El Fab's Simple Guide to Pico Tanks - Page 2 - Pico Reefs - Nano-Reef.com Forums

gemini9 · May 15, 2014

Chaeto need to be shipped next day air?

bond300 · May 15, 2014

What size tank? How much live rock/sand? On my 90G I have a HOB Marineland 350, 2 HOT Magnums with coral used as my BIO filter and HOB AquaC Remora Skimmer Mag 3 pump with drain tube...........

stunreefer · May 15, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
THe HOB filters don't allow for enough macro algae to grow, meaning it wouldn't help much. The larger the fuge the more macro algae the better the water quality.

:thumb:

In smaller aquaria your time/money is much better spent implementing more frequent water changes. You'll make drastic reductions in nutrients while replenishing trace elements at the same time. Win-Win.

SeahorseKeeper · May 15, 2014

stunreefer said:
:thumb:

In smaller aquaria your time/money is much better spent implementing more frequent water changes. You'll make drastic reductions in nutrients while replenishing trace elements at the same time. Win-Win.

I totally agree with this. I don't think you will be able to grow enough chaeto in a HOB filter converted into a fuge to be effective for nutrient export.

gemini9 · May 16, 2014

Its a 30g tank. Crushed coral and 30lbs rock. Maybe ill just throw some chaeto straight in the tank. Start dosing with vinegar monday. I hear that helpa. Ebay has chaeto for cheap. Does chaeto need to be shipped over night? Being a live plant?