HOB Refugiums, worth it?

mdeleon1 · 09/30/2011, 07:02 PM

I'm looking into purchasing a hob refugium since I do not have sump. Are these worth having and if so, what is a good brand?

Look at CPR Aquafuges.

Agu · 09/30/2011, 07:13 PM

IMHO most HOB refugiums are over priced for what you get.

Cantgrowdidly · 09/30/2011, 07:32 PM

although highly priced, I would say the adding the diversity to your system is "worth it"

snorvich · 09/30/2011, 08:06 PM

I am a big supporter of refugiums. I cannot say if the price of a HOB justifies the benefits. In my case, I have 40 gallon refugiums separately plumbed on each tank.

parrotchute · 09/30/2011, 08:18 PM

I agree that they are majorly overpriced. It is definitely worth it - my old 75g wasn't reef ready, so I couldn't put one under the tank. Having a small fuge packed with macroalgae that I harvested seemed to help out in algae control a lot, as well as producing tons of pods.

Being turned off by the super high price of HOBs, I made one in the corner of my tank that worked really well. I took a small acrylic box (one of those ones used to scoop fish out of a tank, about 1/2 gal), drilled a few small holes in it for flow, and used a cleaning magnet to stick in on in the corner of my tank, with the open top about 1/4" below the water surface. I then put a mini pump in there to prevent the water from being too stagnant. Fill with rubble and macroalgae, and it was perfect and cost <$30! It was close to the lights, too, so no need to add additional lighting.

mdeleon1 · 09/30/2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrotchute

I agree that they are majorly overpriced. It is definitely worth it - my old 75g wasn't reef ready, so I couldn't put one under the tank. Having a small fuge packed with macroalgae that I harvested seemed to help out in algae control a lot, as well as producing tons of pods.

Being turned off by the super high price of HOBs, I made one in the corner of my tank that worked really well. I took a small acrylic box (one of those ones used to scoop fish out of a tank, about 1/2 gal), drilled a few small holes in it for flow, and used a cleaning magnet to stick in on in the corner of my tank, with the open top about 1/4" below the water surface. I then put a mini pump in there to prevent the water from being too stagnant. Fill with rubble and macroalgae, and it was perfect and cost <$30! It was close to the lights, too, so no need to add additional lighting.

Wouldn't happen to have a pic?

parrotchute · 09/30/2011, 10:14 PM

This is the best I've got...

GrampaDon · 10/01/2011, 07:16 AM

What size tank is this for.? And which model CPR are you looking at.?

While I'm not currently using a fuge ,I have before and they worked good. And the science supports the benefit of having one. The science also says bigger is better here. So look at the largest one you can.

As someone who dabbles with acrylic. I can say ,save yourself some grief and get the ready-to-go ,like CPR or whoever. Very likely cheaper than you think over the DIY and will look nice.
[I just like to tinker in the garage ,so I take the hard road.

]

jong11 · 10/01/2011, 07:20 AM

I know I've seen used ones for sale in the classified section

mdeleon1 · 10/01/2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrampaDon

What size tank is this for.? And which model CPR are you looking at.?

While I'm not currently using a fuge ,I have before and they worked good. And the science supports the benefit of having one. The science also says bigger is better here. So look at the largest one you can.

As someone who dabbles with acrylic. I can say ,save yourself some grief and get the ready-to-go ,like CPR or whoever. Very likely cheaper than you think over the DIY and will look nice.
[I just like to tinker in the garage ,so I take the hard road.

]

Looking at CPR AquaFuge2 Dimensions: 13" L x 4.5" W x 12" T for my 56g column tank.

Sport507 · 10/01/2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdeleon1

Looking at CPR AquaFuge2 Dimensions: 13" L x 4.5" W x 12" T for my 56g column tank.

I bought this very same one for my 90gal. about a month ago from BRS. Are they over priced yes, as is everything in this hobby. It is very high quality and I wished I'd have bought it months earlier it does an excellent job. If you decide to go this way spend the extra $$$ and get the light.

lcs · 10/01/2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Looking at CPR AquaFuge2 Dimensions: 13" L x 4.5" W x 12" T for my 56g column tank.

I have the 56 column also and have the "regular" Aquafuge, without the skimmer. I have a rock, chaeto, and some other random macro algae that grows like crazy. Was it overpriced? I guess, but I have a great pod & mysid populations and my nitrates have been kept in check even with a well stocked tank and over feeding because I'm supplementing a mandarin. Even after five months, the mandarin is till hunting and pecking at the rocks in the DT so I'm pretty sure the fuge is providing pods to the DT for him.

Just my $0.02. HTH!

Oh, and I did splurge and get the light and the acrylic legs. I second what someone else had mentioned in that I've seen them in the classified thread forum.

mdeleon1 · 10/01/2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport507

I bought this very same one for my 90gal. about a month ago from BRS. Are they over priced yes, as is everything in this hobby. It is very high quality and I wished I'd have bought it months earlier it does an excellent job. If you decide to go this way spend the extra $$$ and get the light.

Yes, I was looking at the light set-up.

What do you keep in yours?

GrampaDon · 10/01/2011, 09:18 AM

You mean this one ?? http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_AquaF...CR1721-vi.html

Sport507 · 10/01/2011, 09:18 AM

In the bottom live rubble rock about 3 inches and above that Caulerpa and Cheto algae. Is that what you were asking? You can see it in the pics I posted and the pods love this thing.

mdeleon1 · 10/01/2011, 09:24 AM

Yes, that's what I was asking. Thanks.

mbg75 · 10/01/2011, 09:24 AM

U can make one out of an aquaclear HOB filter. Budddman had one.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

mdeleon1 · 10/01/2011, 12:19 PM

So now that i think about this more and more, can I not use the biowheel setup?

I've been using it for waterflow and surface agitation (minus biowheel and filter cartridge). I can just buy a clip on light and stick some chaeto in there, right? Throw some pods and mysid in there too?

CraftFish · 12/14/2016, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrampaDon

You mean this one ?? http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_AquaF...CR1721-vi.html

I have the CPR Aquafuge 2 on my 15-gallon and works well for keeping equipment out of the display tank, but the pump is still awkwardly in the display area, it keeps most of the equipment out of the tank except itself. So, I think this is a great product as HOB refugium.

cincyjim · 12/15/2016, 06:02 AM

I have one and I'm truly happy with it. Overpriced... totally but the benefits are great. I don't have a sand bed, just some small rocks and couple of mushrooms. I have one small crab and three snails in it to keep it cleaned up some. I use this for my pod population. At night when the fuge light is on you can see them everywhere.

JeffyT · 12/16/2016, 01:22 PM

Premium Aquatics has a really nice one that comes with a light. Expensive though :] but it looks really nice haha.

09/30/2011, 07:02 PM	#1
mdeleon1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 424	HOB Refugiums, worth it? I'm looking into purchasing a hob refugium since I do not have sump. Are these worth having and if so, what is a good brand? Look at CPR Aquafuges. __________________ Starting over!

09/30/2011, 07:13 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	IMHO most HOB refugiums are over priced for what you get. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

09/30/2011, 08:06 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	I am a big supporter of refugiums. I cannot say if the price of a HOB justifies the benefits. In my case, I have 40 gallon refugiums separately plumbed on each tank. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

10/01/2011, 07:16 AM	#8
GrampaDon Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Wayne ,IN Posts: 636	What size tank is this for.? And which model CPR are you looking at.? While I'm not currently using a fuge ,I have before and they worked good. And the science supports the benefit of having one. The science also says bigger is better here. So look at the largest one you can. As someone who dabbles with acrylic. I can say ,save yourself some grief and get the ready-to-go ,like CPR or whoever. Very likely cheaper than you think over the DIY and will look nice. [I just like to tinker in the garage ,so I take the hard road.]

10/01/2011, 07:20 AM	#9
jong11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 396	I know I've seen used ones for sale in the classified section __________________ 10 gallon nano - par 38 led bulb, 2 hk nano 240gph, 75w jager heater, aquaclear 70 (w/ ac 20 impeller), rkl controller Current Tank Info: 10 gal nano, 40 gal breeder (in progress)

09/30/2011, 07:32 PM	#3
Cantgrowdidly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milton FL Posts: 94	although highly priced, I would say the adding the diversity to your system is "worth it"

09/30/2011, 08:18 PM	#5
parrotchute Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 163	I agree that they are majorly overpriced. It is definitely worth it - my old 75g wasn't reef ready, so I couldn't put one under the tank. Having a small fuge packed with macroalgae that I harvested seemed to help out in algae control a lot, as well as producing tons of pods. Being turned off by the super high price of HOBs, I made one in the corner of my tank that worked really well. I took a small acrylic box (one of those ones used to scoop fish out of a tank, about 1/2 gal), drilled a few small holes in it for flow, and used a cleaning magnet to stick in on in the corner of my tank, with the open top about 1/4" below the water surface. I then put a mini pump in there to prevent the water from being too stagnant. Fill with rubble and macroalgae, and it was perfect and cost <$30! It was close to the lights, too, so no need to add additional lighting.

09/30/2011, 10:14 PM	#7
parrotchute Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 163	This is the best I've got...

10/01/2011, 09:18 AM	#14
GrampaDon Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Wayne ,IN Posts: 636	You mean this one ?? http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_AquaF...CR1721-vi.html

10/01/2011, 09:18 AM	#15
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	In the bottom live rubble rock about 3 inches and above that Caulerpa and Cheto algae. Is that what you were asking? You can see it in the pics I posted and the pods love this thing. __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

10/01/2011, 09:24 AM	#16
mdeleon1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 424	Yes, that's what I was asking. Thanks. __________________ Starting over!

10/01/2011, 09:24 AM	#17
mbg75 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 380	U can make one out of an aquaclear HOB filter. Budddman had one. Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk __________________ 75 RIMLESS

10/01/2011, 12:19 PM	#18
mdeleon1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 424	So now that i think about this more and more, can I not use the biowheel setup? I've been using it for waterflow and surface agitation (minus biowheel and filter cartridge). I can just buy a clip on light and stick some chaeto in there, right? Throw some pods and mysid in there too? __________________ Starting over!

12/15/2016, 06:02 AM	#20
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	I have one and I'm truly happy with it. Overpriced... totally but the benefits are great. I don't have a sand bed, just some small rocks and couple of mushrooms. I have one small crab and three snails in it to keep it cleaned up some. I use this for my pod population. At night when the fuge light is on you can see them everywhere. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

12/16/2016, 01:22 PM	#21
JeffyT Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 263	Premium Aquatics has a really nice one that comes with a light. Expensive though :] but it looks really nice haha. __________________ 30g IM Nuvo - Retired 08/2012-04/2016 It was a very expensive lesson :P Current Project: 20gL JBJ AIO Frag Tank \| Shallow Reef Livestock : 3 Clown Fish, Rose BTA, Flame Shrimp Current Tank Info: 20gL JBJ Shallow Reef

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