HOB Skimmer or Refugium

[GavinTrz]

I am currently in the process of setting up a 75 gallon mixed reef with only HOB equipment, as I do not want a sump. I was wondering if it would be better for me to use a refugium or a skimmer. Realistically I would like to have both but I don't think there is enough room to hang everything on the back of the tank. For a refugium I wanted to DIY a Aqua Clear 70 or 110. I already have an aquaclear 110 for basic filtration, and it takes up alot of the room that would be used for other equipment. The space is 13.5 inches and I don't think its enough room to get a big enough skimmer or refugium if I were to have both. Please let me know what you would do with the available space.
Thank you!

 

[Llyod276]

You technically don't need either, sure it's nice and serves a function....but if you are consistent and faithful to your new mistress, via weekly waterchanges parameter testing (likely 2x week), then you could do without both...

 

[Llyod276]

Also if you have the space run a canister filter.

 

[GavinTrz]

Also if you have the space run a canister filter.

lol, I do have an old canister filter I could use but honestly I hate the thing. Cleaning it takes forever, and I would rather use anything else. Fixing that impeller is the worst thing I've ever had to do.

 

[tryingtoreef]

Aquamaxx hob 1.5 skimmer would be ok. I don't think an ac110 turned fuge would be worth it on a 75

 

[FUNGI]

Agree on not using a 110....it would make very little if any impact on a 75.
I'm running HOB Skimmer and three FX6's. FX6's filled with LR rubble. "Clean out" is once a year, a quick rinse with old saltwater to remove any sand....1 hour once a year. Also an external chaeto reactor. All sits inside my stand. For a 75G, I highly recommend a Reef Octopus HOB

 

[FUNGI]

Great deal here on new:https://store.coralvue.com/classic-1000-hob-protein-skimmer-openbox
but tons used available on the marketplace

 

[Llyod276]

Yeah sounds like OP wants to reef on hard mode. Good luck bud!

 

[FUNGI]

Yeah sounds like OP wants to reef on hard mode. Good luck bud!

Neah....once its all tweaked in, its the easiest thing in the world...

 

[mboley]

I just did the same thing because I had no place for a sump ( tank is on a sturdy shelf). 75 gallon SPS tank to be. Went with the ReefOcto 2000 and a Seachem Tidal 55 modified for intake only through the surface skimmer. Mounted both on one end that's in a corner.

As an old timer I can't figure out why one would go without a skimmer. Superior aeration and removes dissolved organics better than any other method. Skimmerless is for smaller tanks imo.

 

[GavinTrz]

Yeah sounds like OP wants to reef on hard mode. Good luck bud!

Unfortunately so, Only reason I cant use a sump is because my dad swears it will leak. I plan on doing regular weekly maintenance and testing/dosing so it shouldn't be too hard. I've been interning at an aquaculture facility for a while so I'm used to doing weekly water changes and dosing for calcium alk and magnesium.

 

[GavinTrz]

Agree on not using a 110....it would make very little if any impact on a 75.
I'm running HOB Skimmer and three FX6's. FX6's filled with LR rubble. "Clean out" is once a year, a quick rinse with old saltwater to remove any sand....1 hour once a year. Also an external chaeto reactor. All sits inside my stand. For a 75G, I highly recommend a Reef Octopus HOB

I think I will go with the reef octopus, after doing some reading they seem to be the best preforming. Thanks! As for the Canister, I have a fluval 407, should I run that along with the AC110? If all that goes in it is some rubble rock that sounds alot more manageable than all the sponges and pads that are usually in there.

 

[Llyod276]

Yeah sounds like OP wants to reef on hard mode. Good luck bud!

Unfortunately so, Only reason I cant use a sump is because my dad swears it will leak. I plan on doing regular weekly maintenance and testing/dosing so it shouldn't be too hard. I've been interning at an aquaculture facility for a while so I'm used to doing weekly water changes and dosing for calcium alk and magnesium.

Water on the floor is an inevitable outcome regardless of sump or not. Or maybe its just me. Prolly me