Are hang on Refugiums better than in sump??

[lennon]

HI everyone. I went to the LFS to start my purchases of equipment. I am getting a 72 gallon and have room underneath for the sump/refugium. I was told that I should consider doing the hang on 24" refugium because it is better. I did not consider it too much so I was bad and did not pay attention as to why..but I do remember something about things getting damaged before they got into the tank to provide benefit to it.
Not sure if this makes sense..but if it does..please advise.
Being that it is going to cost me almost 300 dollars for a sump/refugium oceanic model 2 ...I would like to know my options.
thanks so much!!

 

[lennon]

:help: anyone..pretty please

 

[thegrog]

The under tank ones are better in a few ways. First is that they are usually larger and can accomidate more LR, algae and LS. As for things getting "damaged" by the return pump, the pods and other goodies make it through mostly unscathed.
The advantage to a HOT one is that you can see some of it more readily. If you have pendant lighting, you don't need to buy an extra light as they get light from the pendants.
I have one of each. The HOT one has some algae and mangroves in it. The under tank one has a DSB, LR and macro algae.
Hope this helps.

 

[hot883]

I too am kickin around the idea of a hang on refugium. The one I looked at holds about 5 gal. and comes with a skimmer built in. Any ideas on that?

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by TheGrog
The under tank ones are better in a few ways. First is that they are usually larger and can accomidate more LR, algae and LS. As for things getting "damaged" by the return pump, the pods and other goodies make it through mostly unscathed.
The advantage to a HOT one is that you can see some of it more readily. If you have pendant lighting, you don't need to buy an extra light as they get light from the pendants.
I have one of each. The HOT one has some algae and mangroves in it. The under tank one has a DSB, LR and macro algae.
Hope this helps.

Being that I am getting a canopy..I assume I would have to get a hang on with a light already on it. So I am not sure if I get too much benefit from the hang on.
So there is really no substantial benefit to one or the other then? I should probably just do the sump/refugium since I will have plenty of room being that it is a 4ft wide tank...
ya think?

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by hot883
I too am kickin around the idea of a hang on refugium. The one I looked at holds about 5 gal. and comes with a skimmer built in. Any ideas on that?

Since there is no significant difference..I think I am going to do the in sump one for a few reasons..
One, I can do a bigger refugium..and bigger is much better.
Two, I can put many things in there..like the skimmer etc...so no need
to see them on top.
how big is your tank?

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by Lennon
Since there is no significant difference..I think I am going to do the in sump one for a few reasons..
One, I can do a bigger refugium..and bigger is much better.
Two, I can put many things in there..like the skimmer etc...so no need
to see them on top.
how big is your tank?
I have a 55

 

[pbienkiewi]

With my 55 gal I have my sump with no Bio-balls, sand bed, and live rock in it. I also have a HOB refugium that is 19L 4W 12D. It brought my nitrates down from 10,15 to 0. I love it........

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by pbienkiewi
With my 55 gal I have my sump with no Bio-balls, sand bed, and live rock in it. I also have a HOB refugium that is 19L 4W 12D. It brought my nitrates down from 10,15 to 0. I love it........

so would it be the same if I do a sump/refugium given the space I have on the 70 gallon?
I have a canopy ..and not too much space behind to fit the refugium well. But I do have enough room underneath for a nice size refugium.

 

[pbienkiewi]

I am building a custon canopy now. I made one already but it was way to heavy. &#$)(#$-..... It will be open in the back and on top also. You can make your own refugium underneath also. 10 or 20 gal tank. Plexyglass, Silicone the Plexy so you have baffels. Then pump it back up

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by pbienkiewi
I am building a custon canopy now. I made one already but it was way to heavy. &#$)(#$-..... It will be open in the back and on top also. You can make your own refugium underneath also. 10 or 20 gal tank. Plexyglass, Silicone the Plexy so you have baffels. Then pump it back up
Hey there..yes, everyone says to do it myself..but I am not handy

I wish I were. The guy at the LFS was selling me the oceanic model 2..it is about $279
for a sump that is big enough to add the refugium. It does however come with everything I need to get the tank going..So I am kind of forced to go that direction

oh well..maybe in time I can learn how to do these things..