Has Anyone Tried The Cpr Aquafuge 2 On A 24g Nano?

I have the CurrentUSA Aquapod 24g Nano and was wondering if anyone has tried the CPR Aquafuge hang-on refugium on a tank this size. Since my version of the tank only has 2 compartments, creating a small fuge out of the existing filter seems difficult. In general, I'm looking for an easy to maintain environment and have had a pretty stable environment without a fuge, but was wondering if this addition might add to overall stability and provide an environment for pod growth. The medium sized fuge without skimmer is about the same width as the back of the 24g nano, so I was wondering if setting it up and extending the return to go directly into the main part of the tank for extra flow would be a good addition to the environment.

Never used one myself, but CPR does make relaible products thats for sure. Their skimmers are not the best, but their overflow boxes and refugia are apparently very nice.

I'm considering the small model (13 x 4.25 x 12) with the Galaxy II clip-on PC light (13W) and setting it up with Arragonite, LR, and Chaeto. I thought with a clip-on light, I could position it such that light stays out of the main tank when run on a reverse cycle.

This system would replace the Tunze protein skimmer I run now as it has negligible value.

Any comments?

If you have the cash and knowledge then give it a go. I am sure you know your setup by now and will be able to tell if things are going wrong. GIVE IT A GO. I have a ten liter breeding tank and was tempted to use that as a refugium but then I have neither the cash or the knowledge hence I haven't given it a go. LOL.

Regards

SkiFletch said:

Never used one myself, but CPR does make relaible products thats for sure. Their skimmers are not the best, but their overflow boxes and refugia are apparently very nice.

Click to expand...

i hear their overflow boxes suck beetle juice....

and their fuges are intensely over priced

1/2 of the cpr price PLUS skimmer [URL="http/www.protein-skimmer.com/shopping.as...=itemdetail.asp"]http/www.protein-skimmer.com/shopping.as...=itemdetail.asp[/URL]

adding a mesh mod to that needlewheel should probably make it a beast.

Looking at it. Explain to me how you are thinking..in a bit of detail..about connecting and, having the 24....I'll see if I have anything to add. Remind me..does your AP have removable laminated veneer in the back? SH

Wait for it......... SH is thinking of suggesting that brilliant transilluminated-refugium-from-space-where-my-filter-used-to-be tactic. You know SH we have to think of a short name for that LOL bit of a mouth full. I hope you don't mind but I have been suggesting it to people (I always reference though). I really want to do it in my tank but I am scared that the tank will crash. I have just got it to settle a little. The problem with macro in the display is that it grows so damn fast that it starts to attach to everything including prized corals. I am pretty sure if the clowns did not move so much it would stick to them as well.....

Regards

My thought is the pump would go in the first filter compartment behind the wier and I'd extend the return to skip the filter compartment altogether and agitate the surface of the main tank itself. This would draw more water through the weir and increase filtration across the floss pad I put behind the wier. I may also have to remove another wier door for additional flow.

The AquaPod 24 is similar to your tank SH except for only 2 compartments in the filter separated evenly in the middle. It does have the 'removable' laminated veneer in the back and I could possibly try to find a way to remove some and create a space for the chaeto like you did. Seems like a bit of work, though who knows what I'll run into trying to add an external fuge.

My goal is still a simple system to maintain that remains as stable as possible. So far, it's been pretty stable with weekly water changes, but I was wondering if I could go bi-weekly and add some natural food to the system with a mini-fuge. It's also possible I'm just bored as it is reasonably stocked with both fish and coral so I'm looking for something to do.

Here's a recent FTS from January. Since then my zoa's on the front rock have receded significantly (another thread) for some unknown reason. I've fragged the hammer to 1/4 the original size and returned it to the LFS as I thought it may be the cause as it was HUGE when completely open. Other than that and occasional losses of snails, everything is pretty stable.

Gigmeyer, what lighting system are you using? Is that a metal halide......

Regards

I looked at the fuge on Drs. F and S's site. I know the length of the tank is greater than 13"...but..it's hard to tell without actually holding the fuge. One thought...could youi notch holes in the lid add tubing...extend the length of the outflow and returns...and instead of HOB or HOS...stand it separately. Or..do a HOS. As far as the mod on my tank.it's rediculously simple. Once you get over the fear of cutting paper off your tank...from the rear where no one will see it....your fuge is done. For others to see:











SH

Thanks SH, I'll continue to look at options. Just this week my large green mushroom on the front left has separated from the rock and is now hanging by a thread. The current is causing it to spin some and its base is all wound up. No doubt it will sever totally soon and fly free. Is this normal behavior for a mushroom? I know they can move around, but I have never seen anything like this. When it separates, should I just anchor it down somewhere and hope it re-attaches? This mushroom came on my monti and has been healthy and grown like crazy since I relocated it. Now suddenlt it wants to take flight.

BTW Crazy, yes on the light. It is a Sunpod 150 HQI that came with the tank.

Mushrooms break off. You can tie it down or do what I have been unsuccessful at doing....glue it. Some use a piece of woman's nylon. A rubber band will do as well. SH