No sump. Would it be better to run a HOB refugium or a chaeto reactor?

[legos14]

Hows it going R2R fam.
I have a 75g dt i am having nutrient issues on. I am trying to lower the nitrates. I run a canister filter because the stand i have does not allow for a sump. Would it be better to run a HOB refugium or a chaeto reactor?

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

Welcome to Reef2Reef

In theory either would produce very similar results. From personal experience, I have had far more leaks and floods from a pressurized reactor than from a hang-on refugium so I would lean towards the refugium for purely practical reasons.

I would go with the largest one you can fit and make sure to use a good light. I would use something like this bundle we have put together.

Fiji Cube Advanced Hang On Refugium & Tunze Eco Chic Refugium Lights Package

This package includes the Fiji Cube Advanced Hang On Refugium Pro Series with Fiji Flow DC Pump, Large (HRB-12 Pro), and TWO Tunze Eco Chic Refugium Lights. You will need a light for your refugium and the Tunze Eco Chic Refugium Lights have the ideal spectrum for algae growth.

www.marineandreef.com

 

[Stephen8169301]

My no sump tank lol
I have cpr fuge
Aquamaxxx skimmer
Regular filter just for collecting debree

 

[legos14]

My no sump tank lol
I have cpr fuge
Aquamaxxx skimmer
Regular filter just for collecting de

My no sump tank lol
I have cpr fuge
Aquamaxxx skimmer
Regular filter just for collecting debree

Out of curiosity why the sand and rock in the fuge?

 

[legos14]

Welcome to Reef2Reef

In theory either would produce very similar results. From personal experience, I have had far more leaks and floods from a pressurized reactor than from a hang-on refugium so I would lean towards the refugium for purely practical reasons.

I would go with the largest one you can fit and make sure to use a good light. I would use something like this bundle we have put together.

Fiji Cube Advanced Hang On Refugium & Tunze Eco Chic Refugium Lights Package

This package includes the Fiji Cube Advanced Hang On Refugium Pro Series with Fiji Flow DC Pump, Large (HRB-12 Pro), and TWO Tunze Eco Chic Refugium Lights. You will need a light for your refugium and the Tunze Eco Chic Refugium Lights have the ideal spectrum for algae growth.

www.marineandreef.com

I guess what's holding me back from pulling the trigger on it is I am planning on upgrading tank beginning of next year to a tank with a sump and fuge area.
would it make more sense to buy and sell or go with a reactor maybe scrubber ?

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I guess what's holding me back from pulling the trigger on it is I am planning on upgrading tank beginning of next year to a tank with a sump and fuge area.
would it make more sense to buy and sell or go with a reactor maybe scrubber ?

I have used reactors and scrubbers and I prefer scrubbers but you can have success both ways. With a reactor inside of a sump there is not the same risk of a flood. I might put up with the hassles of the reactor for a little bit knowing that I will eventually put it in a sump where if it leaks it doesn't really matter.

 

[legos14]

I have used reactors and scrubbers and I prefer scrubbers but you can have success both ways. With a reactor inside of a sump there is not the same risk of a flood. I might put up with the hassles of the reactor for a little bit knowing that I will eventually put it in a sump where if it leaks it doesn't really matter.

Any recommendations on reactors that could work in both applications ?

 

[Stephen8169301]

@legos14 Im prepping for apex pods I’m getting this Friday this is really the sole reason I have a fuge so I can have pods because pods like rock and sand and I also have a wrasse and banggai so pods in my dt won’t last long

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

The Tunze Macro Reactor could work with and without a sump. You would need to submerge the pump and return hose in the display until you got the sump. With the sump you would put the pump and return hose in the sump but you could also remove the thumb screws and simply remove the and reattach the lid with the included magnet. This makes getting inside the reactor a lot easier and is my favorite feature of this reactor.

Tunze Macro Algae Reactor 3181

The Tunze Macro Algae Reactor 3181 makes cultivating chaetomorpha algae to control your aquariums nutrients easy. The reactor can be placed internally in your sump, or placed externally if you do not have room in your sump, or just don't have a sump.

www.marineandreef.com