What to do.....

[Banjo-king]

Hello everyone Id like to hear some input about what I should do with my HOB filter. I have a 20g tall tank and I plan on adding coral very soon. I have a 55g rated HOB filter in my tank. I feel like its pointless because I do very consistent water changes. My parameters have been spot on every other day that I check. I was hoping to either turn it into a macro algae refuge or put a couple mangroves in it or get rid of it all together. Anyone with a experience doing this in a display. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[PaulKreider]

Replace it with a skimmer.

 

[Banjo-king]

Replace it with a skimmer.

Thank you for the reply, but unfortunately getting a skimmer isn't an option. I'm on a very strict budget. I do plan on getting one eventually until than I'm looking for a way to make this equipment I do have worth using or not using it all. Thanks again.

 

[PaulKreider]

A HOB skimmer for a 20gal tank will run you around $40-60, It is a vital part of a reef tank and I wouldn't recommend moving into corals without one. Reefing is a very expensive hobby, as a college student I know. But if you don't plan on getting one the best thing you could do is throw some carbon in a filter bag, along with some filter floss into the HOB filter.

 

[el_ote]

Look into a DIY skimmer. It may take some work to dial it in correctly, but it can be done relatively cheaply. EBay also has inexpensive skimmers I was looking at. They're basically same as DIY (limewood airatone), but they look nice.

Tunze 9002 can be found used at a reasonable price also...

 

[Banjo-king]

A HOB skimmer for a 20gal tank will run you around $40-60, It is a vital part of a reef tank and I wouldn't recommend moving into corals without one. Reefing is a very expensive hobby, as a college student I know. But if you don't plan on getting one the best thing you could do is throw some carbon in a filter bag, along with some filter floss into the HOB filter.

Ill save and get a skimmer before I add coral. So you don't think it's worth making the HOB a refugium?

 

[Banjo-king]

A HOB skimmer for a 20gal tank will run you around $40-60, It is a vital part of a reef tank and I wouldn't recommend moving into corals without one. Reefing is a very expensive hobby, as a college student I know. But if you don't plan on getting one the best thing you could do is throw some carbon in a filter bag, along with some filter floss into the HOB filter.

Ill save and get a skimmer before I add coral. So you don't think it's worth making the HOB a refugium?

 

[PaulKreider]

You would need a larger refugium than the HOB could provide to have much of an impact, you could throw sand in there and grow mangroves but that still wouldn't compare to a skimmer.

 

[Banjo-king]

You would need a larger refugium than the HOB could provide to have much of an impact, you could throw sand in there and grow mangroves but that still wouldn't compare to a skimmer.

Do you think the mangroves would be more beneficial than just a filter pad and/or carbon. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Banjo-king]

Look into a DIY skimmer. It may take some work to dial it in correctly, but it can be done relatively cheaply. EBay also has inexpensive skimmers I was looking at. They're basically same as DIY (limewood airatone), but they look nice.

Tunze 9002 can be found used at a reasonable price also...

Thank you I'll definitely look into that.