Hob refugium

[Clown79]

I'm debating doing a refugium on my 15g.

 

I want to build it with one area for floss and carbon and the other side chaeto etc.

 

Thinking of doing a mod with 2 compartments

 

Will any hob filter do if its the right size or does it have to be clear plastic like aquaclears?

 

Does it need its own light or will the light from my Ai be enough, the lighting goes over my filter.

[Tmr8188]

The general consensus is fuge volume = 20% tank volume or more to be effective.

 

Depending on placement you may get away with your light being enough. However a typical sump fuge is lit opposite the main tank's photoperiod (to combat ph drops at night) or 22-23 hours a day. If lit by it's own light you run the risk of light bleeding into the display tank.

 

Imo not worth it.

[ew_fish]

I would light the fuge opposite of you main lighting for ph drops. Id make you fuge as big as you can without going over board. I have even seen people using reactors to grow cheato in. I just set up a nuvo 10 and thinking of trying this.

[Nart]

When I was researching all this stuff to start my 15G I also researched a lot about HOB refuges. The general consensus said they saw no gains in water quality, simply because it was not big enough. But if you are looking to hide equipment and raise some copepods that would be the way to go. One of the best route that I found to accomplish all this was to get an Aquaclear 110 filter and do some baffle mods to it. If you google up Aquaclear 110 refugium you will find loads of DIY on this.

 

Now that @ew_fish mentioned cheato reactors... I want one now. Darn you!

https://reefbuilders.com/2016/08/31/chaetomorpha-reactor/

[michaelbog]

I just installed one of those Finnex HOB. I have a 2.5 gallon tank so adding a 1 gallon refugium might help. We shall see.

[Nart]

I just installed one of those Finnex HOB. I have a 2.5 gallon tank so adding a 1 gallon refugium might help. We shall see.

That should definitely help. just a little under 50% of your DT water volume. Keep us posted!

[Clown79]

I've done a lot of research and even the smallest refugium has helped ppl reduce nutrients.

 

My issue is the lighting aspect of it.

[Nart]

You will have to keep me posted than. I would be interested in doing one.

 

Here's the solution for your HOB lighting that I had thought of when I was going to do my HoB refuge. Basically put the boating led light right under the HOB lid.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AJVL3V0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-KMHybV4CQZAT

[trial0r]

I just installed this today and it solved my fuge lighting problem: http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovative_Marine_AUQA_Gadget_MagnaFuge_LED_Refugium_Light_LED_Light_Fixtures_for_Aquariums-Innovative_Marine-0I51043-FILTFILD-vi.html