refugium??

[TRe]

how beneficial are they??? i dont have a sump on any of my tanks and dont plan on it until i move in june. however in the mean time should i start seting up a refugium like one of the hob kind?? will it be worth it??

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

i think so. you can use it to put carbon in, or macro algae, or LR rubble... or just for extra water flow.

 

[Dadstank]

I wouldn't set-up another salttank without one. It is a great way to increase water volume and also an excellent nutrient exporter. My lettuce leaf macro dropped my nitrates down to nothing in a week. Best thing I have done for my tank!! Nitrates down= better coralline and coral growth and less nuisance algae.*thumbsups
I prefer an under the tank fuge than an HOB.... but with an HOB more pods can "seed" the tank.

 

[TRe]

well i was just looking for an easy altenative for now till i setup my sump in the future wich would be easier/cheaper??? any links???

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

it would be cheaper to modify a HOB and do a fuge. for water volume a sump would be better, but i think you can achieve what you want with just a HOB fairly easy.

 

[TRe]

got any links on how to, or where to buy???

 

[Lorna]

limi did one on here with a aquaclear and I have done a couple also.......you just remove the basket and cut the grid part off to use as a strainer on the water return......and part for a divider if you want......easy as pie, clip on an itty bitty book light and you are good to go.

 

[TRe]

so what you make it out of a filter?

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

yep. a HOB.

 

[TRe]

does anyone have a link on howto???

 

[Flowerkid]

what was that lettuce leaf macro you were talking about that sounds like something i could use... nitrates....

 

[TRe]

ok i just remove the carbon and add lr???? without a light the agea will die no???

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

ou get a clip on light, and you can leave the carbon in.

 

[TRe]

you can leave the carbon in.

from what i understood the carbon is just a nitrate trap

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

not really, only if its like... a couple inches thick, and traps poos...

 

[Lorna]

Take the carbon bag out and rinse it every couple of days that way it won't build up crap in it.

Ulva algae I think is what lettuce algae is. You can buy it on ebay....

I moded two old aquaclear 70's for my tanks as temp fuges and they work great.....I just cut the grid part of the basket off and silconed it to the water outflow as an algae gate......clipped on a mini book light......and viola......hob fuge......have my heater for my 20g in one now with some liverock rubble.

 

[TRe]

so am i just delusional about the removing the carbon??? lol ... what do you need the carbon for??? that kinda defetes the biological filtration idea

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

how does that defeat the biological filtration? if you didnt have the biological filtration, you would have ammonia present constantly... carbon just pulls stuff out of the water and keep it clearer.

 

[TRe]

i was just under the understanding that biological filtration had to do with using your live rock for filtration oposed to using the conventional filter/carbon ect....

does anyone know where i can find a clipon reading light that has a power cord not batteries???? a link would be appreciated

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

i was just under the understanding that biological filtration had to do with using your live rock for filtration oposed to using the conventional filter/carbon ect....

does anyone know where i can find a clipon reading light that has a power cord not batteries???? a link would be appreciated

you DO use the LR as bio filtration. i think the carbon is mechanical, since it removes things from the water.

and heres a couple lights.
Small & Desktop Aquarium Lighting: Galaxy & Palm Compact Fluorescent Lights