Next piece of Equipment: HoB Refugium vs. Wet/Dry Filter

[owenz]

Hey Guys,

I have a 46-gallon bow front invert tank that is destined to someday become a reef(ish) tank. Currently, I have the following equipment/stuff in there:

- Remora Skimmer
- Eheim 2026 running (only) carbon
- Small powerhead
- 45 lbs of cured live rock

What Should I add next: a wet/dry filter or a hang on the back refugium?

This place has a nice deal on the refugiums, which comes with light for $129:

http://www.aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/m ... de=CPRAFSM

Ideally, I'd like to keep inverts, mandarin gobies, and some simple coral/anemoes in here. Right now there are a couple of cleaner crabs and a Diamond Watchman Goby, all doing well. I know wet/dry filters are and old standby, but I've seen plenty of people advocating refugiums instead.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd avoid the wet/dry option for a reeftank (they have a role with fish only, but otherwise risk becoming a source of nitrates). A hang on refugium on the other hand sounds like an essential investment if you're intending to keep a mandarin at some stage. If you fill it with plenty of LR rubble, some sand and algae, it'll become a good source of pods for the mandarin.

A word of caution though: you're still borderline for what's considered enough to keep a mandarin (many say you need at least 75lbs LR to support a pod population big enough to feed one). Do some asking around here on what's needed before you buy one and you'll be able to get some hints on how to make your tank more mandarin friendly.

 

[cjsrch]

NEITHER! if ya got room for a wetdry buy a tank and put it where the wet dry woulda gone and make it into a refuge

( make a sump then add a baffle then add a light then add refuge stuff) and BAM fuge

 

[mokujin22]

hey all,

i have a 26g bowfront reef setup with a wooden stand. the rectangular part of the stand measures approximately 24" W(outside) x 12"D x 30" tall. i too was thinking about a h.o.b. refugium with integrated skimmer (made by cpr). however, i already have a hob skimmer (by cpr) that i really like. if i get an under the tank refugium, i can use this on there, right? i like having shelves down there, but figure that this setup would benefit the tank the most. here are some thoughts:

-added nitrate reduction/lipod breeding ground
-without the skimmer on the back of the tank, it clears up significant realestate in my small tank (bubble trap, surface skimmer)
-better capacity to top off my tank (more of an issue now that i'm switching to a mh/lidless tank)
-more water in my system
-saved $ by not having to buy another skimmer component

so i was wondering if this all made sense. also, if someone could reccomend a product/setup for a small system like this? i was also thinking of diy with a 10 gallon standard aquarium (i must have about 5 laying around collecting dust in my shed) how about an overflow box? cpr makes one that does 300 gph for about $70.

no mandarin for me,
tony

 

[owenz]

NEITHER! if ya got room for a wetdry buy a tank and put it where the wet dry woulda gone and make it into a refuge

( make a sump then add a baffle then add a light then add refuge stuff) and BAM fuge

Ahh, if only the budget would permit such luxories...

however, i already have a hob skimmer (by cpr) that i really like. if i get an under the tank refugium, i can use this on there, right? i like having shelves down there, but figure that this setup would benefit the tank the most.

While I agree that an undertank fuge is preferable, I think a HOB aquafuge model is pretty well suited for a 26-gallon. It comes down to space, how much time you have, and aethestics. If you have the space, the time to devote to installing an under tank model, and you like the look a lot more...then do it!

 

[cjsrch]

"Ahh, if only the budget would permit such luxories... "

what you mean? dirt cheep man. 10 gallon tank ( bigger tehnt het iny hob fuge) 10 - 15 bucks light 20 bucks pump 20 bucks and its the same as having 5 HOB fuges as for the overflow you may need to buy one ( expensive ) if you cant make one. and making wont be to hard ot do uhh if you want ill send ya a link to how my friend made a cheep overflow ( u tube style.. cost him 15 bucks) but i wont post it unless you are actualy intrested as i have alot of book marks and dont wanna look throut hem al unles si know the info will actualy be usefull

 

[owenz]

cjsrch - thank you very much for the offer! If you post the link I will definitely check it out. I'm still a bit gun shy about building stuff myself, but you only learn by trying, right?

 

[ChrisRD]

If you're planning to plumb-in an external fuge, I recommend drilling it and installing a simple bulkhead drain setup rather than using a hang-on overflow.

 

[mokujin22]

If you're planning to plumb-in an external fuge, I recommend drilling it and installing a simple bulkhead drain setup rather than using a hang-on overflow.

i wish that i had that setup too (it seems a lot safer) but i alrady have the tank set up. don't think that my bta up there in the corner would appreciate the glass dust all that much...

was going to get the cpr fuge w/skimmer until early this week when i got on the forum. but now, i'm sold on the diy 10 g fuge under the tank. got myself an overflow cheap (cpr w/ air pump thing new on ebay for $50 shipped) and already have (several) 10 gal tanks. just need to do a bit more searching around for a good baffle and plumbing setup. think that i'll start this weekend.

i'm thinking of using a RIO 1700 as a return pump (642 gph vs max 300 gph on the overflow). the pump would have to push about 4' up. is this a good ratio?

i think that the fuge will ultimately work out better. after performing major engine work on my car, i figure i can handle a little plexiglass and epoxy (especially if i have step by step instructions and it'll save me a $100-$200).

EDIT: don't think i won't have a million questions this weekend. :wink:

thanks again all,
tony.