Hob Refugium

[minireefer]

I been wanting to add a refugium or sum to my setup for awhile.I am hoping drive down my nitrates a little more.They are up and down due to my over populated tank and feeding of the livestock(especially my sun coral every 2-3 days).My under the tank space is limited and if used there would no were to store my dy goods(wife owns all available closet space left)So that being said I have decided to go with a Hang on the back small CPR AquaFuge(13-1/4"L x 4-1/2"W x 12"H),and remove my hob aquaclear filter.I might put a carbon pad in the output tube when carbon is needed.This will provide a reduction of microbubles also.I am going with a 3-4 inch sand/mud bed.Some new kent marine Biosediment along with some sand from my main tank.I was thinking of adding adding a few onces of Marc Weiss Fundy Old Reef Mud or some other brand, but sure about the mix yet.I am think about taking a small rock from my tank and turning it into rubble to add to the top of the sand bed.
I purchased a coralife pc fixture at 18 watts day-light only bulbs to fit on the top. I will probley use some chaeto for the macro.Stuff like caulerpa seems to be illegal here in Cali. Does anyone have any experiance with these types of refugiums or any comments about them?

[jhnrb]

Sounds Good Keep Us P0sted On Your Progress.

[amonya]

Ive read alittle about the mud in usa marine and reef mag good artical u should pick up and its suppose to bend phsphates more effectivly than most things we have on the market (filters)but it also can become exuasted and have to be replace (sure u allready knew). I would be entrested in what happens so keep us posted if you decided to take that route

[ReefWannabe]

Be careful with the cpr. Ive heard alot of peoples break or leak after about a year or so.

Im also looking into this. Ive decided agaist drilling my 55, and dont want an overflow unit. I checked some on ebay, but they seem thin?? How thick should the acrylic be? is 1/4 enough??

[minireefer]

Ordered from Marine Depot now waiting for my new project parts to arrive.I think(hope) 1/4 inch is going to be ok.This a newer design to.Anything at this point will be better than the Hob filter.And if I dont get the result I am looking for.I will be forced to go with 10 gallon under the tank with overflow(a water fall in the living room)I have heard some people feed the macro to there fish when pruning but I read as well that people say do not do this because it just releases all the nutrients back into the tank.Any opinions on this?

[ReefWannabe]

it would be getting into the tank anyways. Why not give your fishes a treat lol.

[fishman]

I have a HOB refuge .I have the CPR unit on the back of my frag tank .A friend gave the unit to me .I was not going to use LR in the frag tank because of space .So I hung this unit on the back with about 4 inch of sand placed my plants in and I really like .It works great really low nitrates .No algae problems at all .ITS GREAT

[jhnrb]

Lets think about what we are doing with the harvesting of algae. removing it so it does not crash or spore in the system, and to remove the nitrates from the water collum. I do not believe feeding it back to the fish is a great idea, however, recycle or new whats the diff. I would make sure the fish eat it through and not let it float around. now if you do not want that type of algae in the main, maybe better not to feed back. just a thought. you decide. (personally I would not feed it back)

[kkw30806]

I am thinking the same thing like you Jasen. I also have limited space underneath my tank. I was thinking about building a refugium (DIY type) with a 10 gal tank. Does anyone have some good instruction with pictures on how to build one yourself?

THanks,
Jack

[minireefer]

I recieved the fuge two days ago(Got to love marine depot)I started my setup.
Added the mud and Kent Biosediment. I took about 2 cup of live sand from my tank to seed the dry stuff.Ended up about 5 inches or so in total substrated.Mounted the unit on the back of my tank.I droped in 3 ILLNASSARIUS OBSOLETA snails to keep the sand stired and eat detris(hopefully they dont escape).Next I added some mix water( it was time for a water change anyway)to the fuge.Waited about an hour for the sand cloud to settle.Poped the light on top(a Coralife Mini-Freshwater Aqualight With 2-9W 6700K Lamps) and plugged it to the timer.Swith it all on looks pretty good.I will be able to dose
iodine and phyto close to the output if tube if desired.I was triing to get some cheato no one had any so a buddy gave me some of his illegal in California Caulerpa taxifolia.Maybe cheato might be a better export but till get some I will try the Caulerpa taxifolia.I will post some pictures soon.