HOB Refugium

[jlawsonusmc]

I am designing my own HOB refugium for my 55. I am either going to modify a HOB filter or go get some acrylic and build one from scratch, but I have a few questions:

- What sort of flow rate should I have in the fuge? The larger HOB filters have a flow rate of <> 330gph, and that is too much, right?

- Has anyone modified a HOB filter like this before? What did you do aside from remove the filter media, drop some eggcrate or screening on the lip, and throw a light on top?

- What lighting requirements should I stick to, and where could I get a light for the fuge?

I would just buy one, but they seem really overpriced for what they are... unless someone has an old one laying around they want to let go for cheap...

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Waynesworld]

I am not sure what benefit the HOB has, other than is smaller. On the flip size it takes up room, where you could keep the back of your tank flush. For lighting my sump on my 55g, I always used a simple home depot halogen light and my cheato grew fine. I will get the part number for you in a bit. I would build your own sump, its not that hard and you can hide it under your stand.

[KodiakBear]

Flow rate through your fuge is going to depend on what you intend its purpose to be.
If you want to breed copepods in there, then a very low flow is best.
If you want to grow/store Cheato, then you'll want a bit more flow.

Tell us what you want to do with the fuge, and we'll be more capable of recommending a good gph for you to shoot for.

Also, the HOB filters are rated based on the maximum flow capable of passing through the tubes pulling water out of, and pushing it back into, your tank. Your actual flow will be based on the pump you attach to it.

Here's a link for a DIY overflow that could be easily modified into an HOB. melevsreef

[jlawsonusmc]

I appreciate the input. I want to use the fuge to both grow Chaeto and breed copepods. The reason I am looking at a HOB instead of a sump is because of a space issue, not really for any other reason. Underneath my stand is very cramped (I can't even get the 10 gallon tank I was going to use as the refugium under there) and for reasons of the wife being mad enough at me ("You bought ANOTHER fish tank?!?!? This place is already full of fish tanks!!!! It's fish and reptiles everywhere!!!") I can't really build a bigger stand just yet. The HOB is intended to be a temporary fix, and will be upgraded in the next 6-8 months or so.

[KodiakBear]

In that case, have you considered the "soap dish" Fuge? It's just one of those little sponge/soap trays you buy at walmart with the suction cups on them. They are chocker-box full of holes, so water passes right through them, and they contain your cheato really well. I know a couple folks that have used them in their tanks with success.
They just stick them inside the main tank in an obscure location behind the rockwork, throw in some cheato and LR rubble, and let it all grow. The box prevents anything from picking at it too much, so the pods can still have the safe area, and the box won't let the cheato out to tangle up your aquascape. Another plus to this is that you won't have to get another light. Since it is inside your tank, the lights you're running now will work fine.
Personally, I don't like the look of it, but it would work great for a temp fix.

[MikeAtJax]

A HOB refugium would be a great addition to your tank. If you look in the nano tank area you will find some great lighting sources.

[jlawsonusmc]

That soap dish idea is really interesting... http://www.idahoreefs.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=335

And I never even thought to look at nano lighting. This group is saving me a lot of money and heartache already....

I think I am going to give the soap dish fuge a try in the back corners of my tank where the rock will obscure them from view, and I also found something similar to what I was talking about for the HOB.
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=144837

Except I will use a larger "walmart special" hob filter to start with and don't think I am really ready to wire my own lights and then hang them over 55 gallons of water... for my safety and the safety of the tank.

I am still concerned with the flow rate in the HOB though. Do you think the mini-baffle is puts it at the right flow rate, or am I being overly concerned with minor details?

[KodiakBear]

You're being overly concerned.

Since HOB's rely on syphon to draw water from the tank, it will only be able to syphon out what the pump puts in. Therefore; in an HOB the flow rate is going to be determined by the pump, not the diameter of the baffle. The baffle will, at most, limit the MAXIMUM flow rate. If you have a smaller pump, you'll get a much smaller flow than what the baffle is capable of.

[jlawsonusmc]

I picked up 2 of those large soap dishes and have them hanging at the top of the tank under the spray bar. I will let you know how it works out for me.... I can always try the HOB too later on if needed.