skimmer or refuge

[ReeferRookie]

Which should i had im a budget reef with no sump. Should i set up a refuge or a skimmer. Both bacm hang which would be more benificial

 

[Reefing Madness]

For just HOB, go with the skimmer.

 

[pledosophy]

They do make a hob refugium skimmer combo. I believe it is a CPR product.

Hard to give full anwser without knowing what you are keeping in your system and what challenges your currently facing.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Im not facing any current challenges nitrate nitrite am all at 0. Keeping mostly soft zs ps anems. Thst sorta thing

 

[Reefing Madness]

They don't make a good combo unit as of yet. They just can't make em big enough.
Your looking at a ReefOctopus or the SWC HOB, of which either one would really kick butt as a HOB Skimmer.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Ive heard wonders bout that reef octo

 

[Mandrew]

I have a reef octopus BH1000 on my 60gallon tank. Has zoas and softies. A frog spawn.. Ect.. The bh1000 does a great job and collects a lot of waste. It's a Hang On Back model and I think I paid around $180 for it new. I would suggest it to anyone.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Thanks appreciate the info :)

 

[heathd.hd]

Find a local acrylics distribution place and buy some scrap. Make a sump! It's really not that hard. But than your into a return pump and overflow. Which at that point your going to want to drill. Lol. Forget it. I'm seeing more and more articles on algae scrubbers that seem interesting. Also.

 

[heathd.hd]

I love my reef octopus stuff I have. I'm saving a bit for a dc pump I'm going to go with the reef octopus just for the warranty and it will match my skimmer.

 

[ReeferRookie]

I have tanks lying around if i want to set up a sump honestly.

 

[Mandrew]

Sumps are great for many things, fuge, hide equipment, better cooling when it's hot out. Ect. If you have the means to build a sump I'd go for it!

 

[ReeferRookie]

Its just buying all the access equipment and running it honestly. I even have acrylic lying around

 

[Rjramos]

I've run a 55gal, with ecosystem method using miracle mud with the recommended size refugium and no skimmer. The tank ran beautiful following ecosystems recommendations. I don't know the volume of your main display or if there is a HOB refugium that will work out. Refugiums need proper bottom surface ares and proper flow in order to be effective. Otherwise I'd go with the HOB skimmer.

 

[Mandrew]

Well I've used HOB skimmer and it works out fine. But on my next build, which is a 90g that I'm currently buying equipment for, I am definitely using a sump with a fuge in it.

 

[ReeferRookie]

i think i might run a sump itll take me a bit but itll benefit me a ton

 

[Mandrew]

Then you could put a fuge in your sump :) win/win

 

[ReeferRookie]

With macro algae. Yeah ?

 

[Mandrew]

Yeah and maybe live rock rubble.

 

[Sabres429]

skimmer for sure.