IM 40 fuge or algae reactor

nlutfi · Jan 31, 2019

Hey I have a IM nuvo 40 and want to set up a either a refugium in one of the back chambers using the in tank refugium baskets and IM fuge light, or set up and algae reactor. It seems like the algae reactor route will hold a lot more cheato then the small chamber in the tank. I have a second return pump that came with the IM 40 (476gph) would that work to for flow with a reactor and would I be able to keep the reactor under my tank in the stand rather then hanging on the side of the tank? Also which would hold more pods in the long run? Thanks!

RamsReef · Jan 31, 2019

After trying so many methods I am a big fan of just simple fuges. ALgae reactors work great but something about the critters that come with the fuges makes it better for me. Also I don't have to take a fuge apart to harvest cheato, I just reach in and grab.

nlutfi · Jan 31, 2019

Ramasule said:
After trying so many methods I am a big fan of just simple fuges. ALgae reactors work great but something about the critters that come with the fuges makes it better for me. Also I don't have to take a fuge apart to harvest cheato, I just reach in and grab.

Good points, my only concern is the size of a fuge I can have, with a reactor I have a lot more space for pods/macro to grow. If I had a bigger tank with a sump I would for sure have a fuge.

RamsReef · Jan 31, 2019

My best looking coral tank right now is a 2o long with 1 HOB filter floss and matrix, 1 HOB led refugium.

Of course I only keep 2 fish in there as it's mostly for corals.

Just have to size it vs your bio load.

nlutfi · Jan 31, 2019

I have a 40g I'm planning on maybe 4-6 fish some inverts and coral when all said and done. I just figured with the reactor I would have a lot more room for cheato and pods then the small chamber in the back of the tank. Plus with more cheato I should be able to feed more without worrying about nitrates and phosphates skyrocketing.