Converting Aquaclear Filter into Refugium

cmonti

cmonti

Member
Im running a 20 gallon, 10 month old tank with 15-20 lbs of live rock, hang on skimmer (with nitrate reducer in media canister), 50 gallon aquaclear with purigen, chemical media, and a small cluster of LR bagged above the purigen. I really want to add a refugium to reduce my nitrates and grow some Cheato. I have no problem keeping soft corals (kenya tree, star polys, mushrooms) but cant keep and LPS. Nitrates wont go below 30-40. Weekly water 10% changes help but have yet to fix the nitrate problem. I have read some plans for converting an aquaclear into a fuge. I think this is the way I plan to go.
My question is do I need an additional filter exclusively for the fuge or can I use my current filter. Im beginning to run out of room for filters so one would be ideal. What are the pros and cons running the second filter (fuge) along side of my current filter or just running the fuge. Is that enough filtration with the skimmer?? Thanks
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I had to look up Aquaclear to be sure of what you are doing. I have heard of people doing what your talking about.
You don’t need a filter at all. What you need is just the water flowing through it and some sand and rubble rock. It might be too shallow for a refugium and any tiny critters will be washed too quickly back into the tank to be much use and too much sand will clog up the filter.
I think you need something deeper, but only you can judge that because our looking right at it..
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/382387/converting-aquaclear-filter-into-refugium#post_3336913
Check out this thread I made a HOB fuge that my skimmer discharge feeds, ben running for a while now, nitrates have been zero
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/376024/refugium-done

That refugium is so awesome, but most of us can't work that kind of magic with acrylic. I remember you doing it to get rid of microbubbles from the skimmer..I had the same skimmer, so it stuck with me.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Maybe this person is can build thing out of acrylic. But I think if you are going to use an Aquaclear filter as a fuge you should se a separate one with a light.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/382387/converting-aquaclear-filter-into-refugium#post_3336921
Maybe this person is can build thing out of acrylic. But I think if you are going to use an Aquaclear filter as a fuge you should se a separate one with a light.

Hey Al, I have that same skimmer, and I was going to sell it or give it away..depends on who wants it I guess. My Boss likes it, if he is interested could you make a HOB refugium like yours and what would you charge for such a thing?
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/382387/converting-aquaclear-filter-into-refugium#post_3336924
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/382387/converting-aquaclear-filter-into-refugium#post_3336921
Maybe this person is can build thing out of acrylic. But I think if you are going to use an Aquaclear filter as a fuge you should se a separate one with a light.

Hey Al, I have that same skimmer, and I was going to sell it or give it away..depends on who wants it I guess. My Boss likes it, if he is interested could you make a HOB refugium like yours and what would you charge for such a thing?
We can talk about the fuge Flower, maybe in the new year i could build one. I will PM you.
 
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