Refugium for fluval flex 32.5

[honeydewcrew]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently cycling my 32.5g fluval flex and was thinking about possible filtration upgrades, including a refugium. I bought 2 intake media baskets and was wondering if i could turn one of them into a refugium with filter floss in the top compartment and then the bottom 2 compartments combined into a 4"x3"x5" space for a refugium (~1L of space).

The other media basket i was going to have normal filter floss, activated carbon, and biomedia. I was thinking I could lodge a bag of biomedia at the bottom of the filtration unit a couple inches from the pump (there's a fat open space at the bottom of the filter box in the fluval flex that's 8" wide by 3" deep by 4.5" tall).

My questions are if this is a good idea and if so, what a good light would be (submersible or one against the glass in the back of the filter back) and how to set this up. I've never made a refugium before but I plan on maxing out the livestock of the tank including a small pufferfish so I would like to optimize my filtration as much as possible.

My current equipment:
- 2 media baksets
- 2 bottom blank inlet covers
- 2 top shrimp proof inlet covers
- 2x wave maker (Jebao SOW-8) [will get another one soon]
- Tunze Comline 9001 DC skimmer
- SICCE Syncra Silent 1.5 pump
- inkbird itc-306a wifi temp controller
- fluval m150 submersible heater

Thank you so so much!

 

[MoshJosh]

Yes you can, I did, minus the filter floss. It worked fine but I had to swap it out for other equipment.
Also, I was using this really cheesy light, it is probably not the best, but it worked:

Full Spectrum 2.5" Clip-on USB LED Aquatics

Budget Friendly Nano Aquarium Lighting Easy clip-on installation for rimless aquariums Full-Spectrum lighting In-line controller for quick adjustments Can be used for both fresh and saltwater The Lifegard Clip-On USB LED is a cost effective and easy to use LED fixture perfect for pico and...

fresh.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[honeydewcrew]

Yes you can, I did, minus the filter floss. It worked fine but I had to swap it out for other equipment.
Also, I was using this really cheesy light, it is probably not the best, but it worked:

Full Spectrum 2.5" Clip-on USB LED Aquatics

Budget Friendly Nano Aquarium Lighting Easy clip-on installation for rimless aquariums Full-Spectrum lighting In-line controller for quick adjustments Can be used for both fresh and saltwater The Lifegard Clip-On USB LED is a cost effective and easy to use LED fixture perfect for pico and...

fresh.bulkreefsupply.com

Okay great to hear! I was just going to tape a tunze eco chic 8831 to the back of the tank since the filter area is just pressed against the back glass wall. Hopefully that works

Also any idea where to get chaeto? Seems like algae farm is sold out (chronically).

Thanks!!

 

[MoshJosh]

Okay great to hear! I was just going to tape a tunze eco chic 8831 to the back of the tank since the filter area is just pressed against the back glass wall. Hopefully that works

Also any idea where to get chaeto? Seems like algae farm is sold out (chronically).

Thanks!!

Think they restock on Fridays (maybe) so you might have to try to snipe some. . . other than that best bet is probably trying to find a local reefer that is willing to part with some. If you go that route try to get a look at their tank and thoroughly look through the algae before putting it in your water. Also, plenty of reefers on here are probably willing to ship you a handful if you pay shipping.

 

[honeydewcrew]

Think they restock on Fridays (maybe) so you might have to try to snipe some. . . other than that best bet is probably trying to find a local reefer that is willing to part with some. If you go that route try to get a look at their tank and thoroughly look through the algae before putting it in your water. Also, plenty of reefers on here are probably willing to ship you a handful if you pay shipping.

Great I'll keep my eyes peeled! Thanks so much!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Check your local classifieds like kijiji and facebook market, there are always lots of folks selling chaeto cheap, some even give it away.

 

[Kilman805]

I’m interested in this same idea for my Flex tank. Any updates or lessons learned? I’m wondering if the relatively low chaeto volume is still effective for nitrate and phosphate export?

 

[honeydewcrew]

I’m interested in this same idea for my Flex tank. Any updates or lessons learned? I’m wondering if the relatively low chaeto volume is still effective for nitrate and phosphate export?

Honestly it was hard to tell if it worked. My phosphates were actually still pretty high (like over 0.4 at some points) despite having the refuge. Its also really hard to contain the cheato back there. I don't think its worth it for such a small AIO and having the filtration be right there.

 

[Kilman805]

Thanks a lot for checking in with that update. I’m looking seriously at the Santa Monica algae turf scrubbers, probably the HOG (hang on glass) series.

 

[amberkate]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently cycling my 32.5g fluval flex and was thinking about possible filtration upgrades, including a refugium. I bought 2 intake media baskets and was wondering if i could turn one of them into a refugium with filter floss in the top compartment and then the bottom 2 compartments combined into a 4"x3"x5" space for a refugium (~1L of space).

The other media basket i was going to have normal filter floss, activated carbon, and biomedia. I was thinking I could lodge a bag of biomedia at the bottom of the filtration unit a couple inches from the pump (there's a fat open space at the bottom of the filter box in the fluval flex that's 8" wide by 3" deep by 4.5" tall).

My questions are if this is a good idea and if so, what a good light would be (submersible or one against the glass in the back of the filter back) and how to set this up. I've never made a refugium before but I plan on maxing out the livestock of the tank including a small pufferfish so I would like to optimize my filtration as much as possible.

My current equipment:
- 2 media baksets
- 2 bottom blank inlet covers
- 2 top shrimp proof inlet covers
- 2x wave maker (Jebao SOW-8) [will get another one soon]
- Tunze Comline 9001 DC skimmer
- SICCE Syncra Silent 1.5 pump
- inkbird itc-306a wifi temp controller
- fluval m150 submersible heater

Thank you so so much!

What baskets did you buy for your 32? Also, where are you putting them? I want to get this tank so bad!