Is there a such thing
- Thread starter Breezp
- Start date
- Location
- Marine Park
Forgive me if I come off rough here but people on this site have taken the fuge thing and ran with it. Please check out www.wetwebmedia.com when you get a chance. Years back they were all touting the importance of Fuges. If you read their FUGE FAQs you'll see that by a "fuge" they meant something of about half your system volume. Less than 1/3 of your system volume being a dedicated fuge was "pretty much pointless" and will have "too little an impact to make any difference"
That being said a HOB fuge is pointless and just a way for someone to make money. If you're looking to grow some pods try rearranging your rocks so that they are in piles. Research "pod piles" these work really well.
The other mistaken reason that people create refugiums is to grow cheato or another macro algae. Think of it this way, if your tank can support a softball sized piece of cheato that doubles every few days, think how much algae that is. Seriously think about the amount of algae that is growing in this fuge, do you really think that a system like that won't be overrun with algae in the display? Is that what you want? Any tank that can support that kind of macro algae WILL have microalgae abound.
Your best course of action would be a very quality HOB skimmer. The skimmer will remove the same funk from your water that macroalgae will but with greater reliability. Unfortunetly the HOB design isn't best for skimmers so you won't find much in terms of quality for the money. If at all possible I'd try to setup a sump with your system.
A sump will give you:
1. More water volume which means greater stability
2. A place to put a heater, and (big) skimmer out of view
3. a means of using an auto top off device which again creates greater stability
The in sump skimmers, dollar for dollar are far superior to any HOB model.
Hope that helps.
Fred
That being said a HOB fuge is pointless and just a way for someone to make money. If you're looking to grow some pods try rearranging your rocks so that they are in piles. Research "pod piles" these work really well.
The other mistaken reason that people create refugiums is to grow cheato or another macro algae. Think of it this way, if your tank can support a softball sized piece of cheato that doubles every few days, think how much algae that is. Seriously think about the amount of algae that is growing in this fuge, do you really think that a system like that won't be overrun with algae in the display? Is that what you want? Any tank that can support that kind of macro algae WILL have microalgae abound.
Your best course of action would be a very quality HOB skimmer. The skimmer will remove the same funk from your water that macroalgae will but with greater reliability. Unfortunetly the HOB design isn't best for skimmers so you won't find much in terms of quality for the money. If at all possible I'd try to setup a sump with your system.
A sump will give you:
1. More water volume which means greater stability
2. A place to put a heater, and (big) skimmer out of view
3. a means of using an auto top off device which again creates greater stability
The in sump skimmers, dollar for dollar are far superior to any HOB model.
Hope that helps.
Fred
- Location
- Marine Park
What size sump do you have? I'm not trying to be problematic, just trying to save you from doing something (and spending) twice. If your hope is to add a small fuge and grow enough pods to feed a mandarin, it aint happening. Ask around there's a bunch of people on here who've tried.
All I'm saying is you're going to spend $X to buy a really crappy HOB skimmer when $X can buy you a pretty good skimmer to go in your sump.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1128784
The MCE that this guy is selling is the BEST HOB skimmer you'll find.
All I'm saying is you're going to spend $X to buy a really crappy HOB skimmer when $X can buy you a pretty good skimmer to go in your sump.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1128784
The MCE that this guy is selling is the BEST HOB skimmer you'll find.
- Location
- Marine Park
$226 plus shipping
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ACRPB
$178 plus shipping (and you may be able to use this on your next tank)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ER1414
or
$288.90 plus shipping (and you should be able to use this on your next tank)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ER1415
Vs.
$226 now + $300+ on your next tank + all the other things.
Upgrades are expensive. REAL expensive. You need the tank, stand, lights, rock pumps, new sump. It adds up. If you can take some equipment with you it makes it much easier. The only thing worse than spending a lot of money on a protein skimmer is spending a lot of money on a protein skimmer twice.
Those Euro-reef skimmers will blow the doors of a remora pro with less noise, less wattage and much less heat.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ACRPB
$178 plus shipping (and you may be able to use this on your next tank)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ER1414
or
$288.90 plus shipping (and you should be able to use this on your next tank)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ER1415
Vs.
$226 now + $300+ on your next tank + all the other things.
Upgrades are expensive. REAL expensive. You need the tank, stand, lights, rock pumps, new sump. It adds up. If you can take some equipment with you it makes it much easier. The only thing worse than spending a lot of money on a protein skimmer is spending a lot of money on a protein skimmer twice.
Those Euro-reef skimmers will blow the doors of a remora pro with less noise, less wattage and much less heat.
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