HOB Contents

[Mschmidt]

I'm setting up a 29-gallon tank. I have no room, nor much desire to figure out a sump for it and have a tidal 50 HOB. It's got a nice big basket for media, so I want to know, as the title indicates: what should I put in there?

I'm not inclined to filter floss, or anything that would require regular changing. But I also know that I need something to pull suspended solids out. My thoughts are either:
1) rubble and find another way to pull solids out when I snow the tank.
2) trap some kind of filter feeder in there. Preferably one that doesn't like to walk.
3) ditch the HOB and use an HOB skimmer.
4) suck it up with poli floss.

Thoughts?

 

[Spare time]

Rubble will just make a mess. A filter feeder would not be a good idea imo.

Really all you truly need is quality activated carbon but I HIGHLY recommend adding at least some kinds of mechanical filter.

 

[Mschmidt]

Rubble will just make a mess. A filter feeder would not be a good idea imo.

Really all you truly need is quality activated carbon but I HIGHLY recommend adding at least some kinds of mechanical filter.

I have a properly sized HOB skimmer that may even be more discrete than the filter at this point. I may pull that out and see if it fits well or needs mods as it's designed for rimless.

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd just do filter floss followed by carbon and call it a day. Toss the floss and replace weekly or so, carbon replace every few months.

I use this stuff for mechanical filtration in my frag system, cheap enough that it's no worry to throw it away and replace, easy to cut to size too: https://amzn.to/3D56B8w

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I have a hob Tide. I use marine matrix and activated carbon. Then I have a cut out of filter floss and place on top.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have a tidal 55 on my 32 along with a aquamaxx 1.5 skimmer. I like the tidal to move water and run carbon, its rare that I use floss, but most of all I like the water movement. The skimmer does a better job of actually 'cleaning' the water, and also helps oxygenate the water. Do you primarily need water movement or mechanical filtration, or is your goal cleaner water?

 

[Mschmidt]

I have a tidal 55 on my 32 along with a aquamaxx 1.5 skimmer. I like the tidal to move water and run carbon, its rare that I use floss, but most of all I like the water movement. The skimmer does a better job of actually 'cleaning' the water, and also helps oxygenate the water. Do you primarily need water movement or mechanical filtration, or is your goal cleaner water?

I've got a maxspect 350, so (too little) flow isn't an issue. I was hoping the hob would help randomize the flow though. I have no other way to remove suspended solids or DOC, so probably tackle that.