HOB refugium question

[1guydude]

So i have a HOB DIY fuge with chalupra(SP) in it and i was wondering if i really needed the filter media (sponge) in it? Can i just take it out?

 

[slice]

The only reason I have a sponge in my HOB fuge is to catch bubbles.

 

[novahobbies]

Id say the only reason to have the sponge in there would be as a bubble trap after a protein skimmer. Otherwise it's just trapping plankton that would be better off in the DT...

 

[carlos413]

I have a cpr hob and I dont use any sponges. I think that a sponge would hold up the flow of pods in to the Dt.

 

[1guydude]

hmmm k well i took out the sponge today and added a better light! Ill post a pic... thxs for everyones input! The sponge was located where the water went into the fuge! Also the chalupra was actually growing into the sponge!

 

[1guydude]

 

[btldreef]

Where was the sponge?
Usually sponges just filter out the plankton/pods that you're trying to get into the main tank. BUT, I need to at least address that having a sponge IN a refugium can be a great place for copepods to breed.

 

[1guydude]

darnit!!! Thats wat i was thinkin....it was getting nasty though and all my macro was getting diatom looking algae on it! It was side closest to u in the pic! Were the water inlet was! Not in that 1st lil chamber but theres like a hole on the other side!!! I just covered the whole with the sponge! I put that lil piece of acrylic in it and stuff....this thing was easy to make i just had to get most of the supplies!