Hang On Refugiums

[jeasko]

Have been considering this route for a while now but never really got behind it as there were so many questions i didnt know the answer to, however as times gone on I have found answers to some of them but still need clarification on the following.

1. on a hang on refugium is it still important to keep it lit 24/7? or can i use the same lightin cycle as the main tank?

2. while it replaces my external filter (if i remember rightly) would it mean i could remove my skimmer from the main tank and place it in the refugium along witht he heater etc, and could i sue the utlet from the skimmer to transfer water to the fuge?

3. if i have no external filter where would i put filter media such as rowaphos and carbon etc?

4 if i go down this route i will be using culerpa or cheato (is there any benfits to one or the other?) and using a small amount of LR in the fuge but not sure if there are any guidelines on how much to use in it? and whether its best to keep any live stock in there?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

To try and answer your questions:

1) Having it lit 24/7 is the best option. Alternatively a reverse cycle to your main tank is the next best as this means the macro algae will undergo photosynthisis during the night and help remove CO2 from the water (which in turn helps to keep the PH stable while the main tank lights are out).

2) It doesnt have to replace your external filter. No reason you cant run both. With regards to using the skimmer return to put water into the fuge its hard to say without seeing the setup.

3) See 2

4) Cheato seems to be the best choice as Culerpa can completely overtake the tank (I beleive with culerpa it is important to light it 24/7 to stop it going into its reproductive phase).

No real guidelines on how much LR to use. Personally I would go for LR rubble as this will also give lots of places for pods to populate. I wouldnt keep any livestock in there.

 

[jeasko]

cheers barney for your response

my main concern is if the fuge HAS to be lit 24/7, and more importantly if it can be unlit over the hours i sleep, while the tank is in my lounge i seem to be spending more and more time sleeping there (otherwise my daughter who is only a few months old will keep me awake in the main bedroom).

 

[xxBarneyxx]

If your using cheato no its doesnt have to be. Obviously not as effective as being lit 24/7 but imo it would still do a great deal for your water quality.

 

[Straydum]

if you're primarily concerned about the microalgae and so not much the carbon and all, then you can just use a breeder box and put the micro algae in. the box would be in your main tank (probably at the side, or back or front, your choice) and would get the same lighting from your main lighting unit. when the lights are off a simple LED or small lamp would do the trick

just make sure you get water flowing towards the breeder box

 

[jeasko]

if you're primarily concerned about the microalgae and so not much the carbon and all, then you can just use a breeder box and put the micro algae in. the box would be in your main tank (probably at the side, or back or front, your choice) and would get the same lighting from your main lighting unit. when the lights are off a simple LED or small lamp would do the trick

just make sure you get water flowing towards the breeder box

my main concern is nutrient control really and to minimise clutter in the main tank by having the fuge i'd be able to place my skimmer in there (if im not mistaken this is a common practice?) and just have the feeder pump in the main tank which would give me a bit more space in there to expand, also i asume that phosphate is kept under control by the cheato in the fuge hence no need for rowaphos just carbon.

 

[Alex Brown]

Can you explain to me how this setup could replace the external filter. I am looking at adding a hang on as it sounds less maintanence than a external filter.

1. what size hang on would i need for a 50gallon tank
2. is miricle mud nessesary?
3. cheato or caulerpa?
4. can i buy a small tank, use a powerhead to pump water into it, drill a hole in the side for the return. efectively its the same thing no?

 

[Alex Brown]

Thought I would post this.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMPLETE-MUD-FILTER-...1742.m153.l1262

 

[jeasko]

size i'm not sure on but miracle mud is not necessary, i would use some fine gravel from the main tank to help seed the good stuff in there and add a small amount of LR and cheato as this apparently is less demanding of the 2 for light.

While effectively the hang on is just a seperate tank you should bear in mind that you will need seperate chambers one for any mechanical/bio filtraation (LR rubble filter floss etc whichever you choose to go with) and then the main one (some do have a 3rd for placing the heater skimmer etc in) but as for randomly drilling a hole you would have to find out how much flow is ideal for these things (sorry but someone else will need to answer that one) then work out the bore of the tubing required, also remember if your going HOB there shouldnt be any issues with syphoning effects as it will be installed at the same height as the main tank unlike a sump where valves have to used to stop it over flowing should you get a power cut, so positioning is important.

This basically replaces the filter as your giving the cheato/culerpa a place to thrive unaffected by inverts or fish which in turn uses all the nutrients in the water thus minimizing your nitrates nitrites and phosphates and ammonia, it will alos help to stabilize your PH (PH spikes when lights go on and off) this is effectively what your external filter does but this way seems to be more efficient and easier to maintain.

 

[jeasko]

ok need to bring this thread back to life as still thinking of going down this route

all i now need to know is if I can use the output from my skimmer to feed the refugium as I dont see the point in adding in another pump to the main tank as this goes partly against what i'm trying to do, or will the output be to slow etc?

 

[SkiFletch]

I don't see why not. What kind of skimmer do you have and what kind of control valves does it have? Bout the only difficulty I could see would be if you used too thin a tubing to connect the two. A refugium doesn't need much flow

 

[1entra]

hi mate just to make you aware i have got a HOB refugium on my tank in my bedroom. i am growing cheato in there and keep my light on 24/7. i am using a cheap 9w tropical lamp that i have got from ebay to light it and it really doesnt cost much to do so. it was a pain initially as the lamp kept my room alight and was pain in the backside trying to go to sleep and also it kept all my fish and corals awake at night when they should have been 'sleeping'. i sorted this out by getting a very thick pillow case and simply covering the refugium including the light with it and i have not had a problem since!lol
My refugium and my protein skimmer are the only forms of filteration i have got on the tank and i use a small pump to feed the fuge. i have never used carbon or other media in the tank and have not had no problems with the phosphates etc since having set the tank up over a year ago!

 

[jeasko]

im using a v2 400 skimmer so the outlet should be more than sufficient, thi9s will also help reduce micro bubbles in the main tank, the lighting is still a consideration as probably wouldnt be able to light it 24/7 or opposite cycle to main tank as the room its in gets used as a bedroom, so would have to revisit the lighting options, that said it would be able to be lit from kinda 08:00-23:00 so would only be unlit for 9 hours not sure just how important it is to have it lit all the time?