Skimmer and Fluval only???
- Thread starter dustintx
- Start date
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225007
Is it possible to have a thriving FOWLR tank by only using a "skimmer and a fluval filter"? Sump pump is way out of my price range right now....thank you!
Yes.
but even better IMHO is to use an in tank refugium. Just a partition with egg crate to seperate the fish/coral area from a macro algae area. Then let the marcro algae to the work of the skimmer and filter.
Just a thought
Worth at most .02
http:///forum/post/3225007
Is it possible to have a thriving FOWLR tank by only using a "skimmer and a fluval filter"? Sump pump is way out of my price range right now....thank you!
Yes.
but even better IMHO is to use an in tank refugium. Just a partition with egg crate to seperate the fish/coral area from a macro algae area. Then let the marcro algae to the work of the skimmer and filter.
Just a thought
Worth at most .02
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225014
Can u explain in better detail of how to make an in tank refugium? Also,I am thinking of a clown fish,3 live rocks,some cleaner crabs,snales and possibly a yellow tiger jawfish in a 30 gallon tank. So what do u think now? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
One the best and least expensive things I did on my 55 g was just cram in an 1/4" square plastic grid light diffusers use in drop ceilings. (Egg crate).
I put it in 3" in front of the back glass with rocks at the bottom and my powerheads at the top.
I then added 2 utility fixtures 6" behind the tank pointing forward to light up that area.
So the last 3" of the tank is now a refugium and the area in front of that has the rocks, fish and corals.
So an in tank refugium is just some area of the tank partitioned off to keep the fish away from the macros. In my case with added lights to get the macros growing.
Nitrates dropped to 0 in 3 weeks, and my two tangs would graze on the macros that poke through the egg crate all day. Smaller fish even would go between the squares and browse around in the refugium area.
egg crate $10_________$10
light fixtures 2@$7.9 ___$16
tubes__2@2-tubes $7___$14
total cost $50 or so.
No only one of the least expensive things I did but also one of the most effective in terms of fish and tank health. After a few months even phosphates dropped to 0. Plus one time I basically doubled my fish load. With no ammoni/nitrIte spikes but an initial nitrate spike that returned to 0 3 weeks later.
still just my .02
http:///forum/post/3225014
Can u explain in better detail of how to make an in tank refugium? Also,I am thinking of a clown fish,3 live rocks,some cleaner crabs,snales and possibly a yellow tiger jawfish in a 30 gallon tank. So what do u think now? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
One the best and least expensive things I did on my 55 g was just cram in an 1/4" square plastic grid light diffusers use in drop ceilings. (Egg crate).
I put it in 3" in front of the back glass with rocks at the bottom and my powerheads at the top.
I then added 2 utility fixtures 6" behind the tank pointing forward to light up that area.
So the last 3" of the tank is now a refugium and the area in front of that has the rocks, fish and corals.
So an in tank refugium is just some area of the tank partitioned off to keep the fish away from the macros. In my case with added lights to get the macros growing.
Nitrates dropped to 0 in 3 weeks, and my two tangs would graze on the macros that poke through the egg crate all day. Smaller fish even would go between the squares and browse around in the refugium area.
egg crate $10_________$10
light fixtures 2@$7.9 ___$16
tubes__2@2-tubes $7___$14
total cost $50 or so.
No only one of the least expensive things I did but also one of the most effective in terms of fish and tank health. After a few months even phosphates dropped to 0. Plus one time I basically doubled my fish load. With no ammoni/nitrIte spikes but an initial nitrate spike that returned to 0 3 weeks later.
still just my .02
socal57che
Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3225023
Or for that size tank get an Aquaclear 110 and do the refugium mod to it. You get the macro that beaslbob loves so much plus some extra water volume.
^^^ ditto that comment
and a turnover rate bonus.
http:///forum/post/3225023
Or for that size tank get an Aquaclear 110 and do the refugium mod to it. You get the macro that beaslbob loves so much plus some extra water volume.
^^^ ditto that comment
and a turnover rate bonus.
socal57che
Active Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225031
Thanx guys. Now where do I buy a sheet of egg crate from and what exactly do I buy that is supposed to GROW inside the refugium? Are they live plants or something?
If you do a HOB fuge, I just use it to grow chaetomorpha.
You haven't been here long enough to receive PMs so shoot me an email.
************ @ yahoo.com
Put "SWF" in the subject line.
I'll send you some info on HOB fuge building...which, IMO, is a misleading term. They are too small to be a true refugium. More like a confined area to grow macroalgae in a controlled environment.
http:///forum/post/3225031
Thanx guys. Now where do I buy a sheet of egg crate from and what exactly do I buy that is supposed to GROW inside the refugium? Are they live plants or something?
If you do a HOB fuge, I just use it to grow chaetomorpha.
You haven't been here long enough to receive PMs so shoot me an email.
************ @ yahoo.com
Put "SWF" in the subject line.
I'll send you some info on HOB fuge building...which, IMO, is a misleading term. They are too small to be a true refugium. More like a confined area to grow macroalgae in a controlled environment.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225031
Thanx guys. Now where do I buy a sheet of egg crate from and what exactly do I buy that is supposed to GROW inside the refugium? Are they live plants or something?
Egg crate is available from building supply places like Lowes or Home depot. When you ask for egg crate they look at you kinda funny because it is actually a light diffuser. Look in the dropped ceiling section of not in the lighting section.
You grow macro algaes in the refugium like various caulerpas or chaetomophia (brill pad). Macro algaes are just "organized" algae that can look like plants. Only they are actually algaes but have no circulation system and do not flower to reproduce.
my .02
http:///forum/post/3225031
Thanx guys. Now where do I buy a sheet of egg crate from and what exactly do I buy that is supposed to GROW inside the refugium? Are they live plants or something?
Egg crate is available from building supply places like Lowes or Home depot. When you ask for egg crate they look at you kinda funny because it is actually a light diffuser. Look in the dropped ceiling section of not in the lighting section.
You grow macro algaes in the refugium like various caulerpas or chaetomophia (brill pad). Macro algaes are just "organized" algae that can look like plants. Only they are actually algaes but have no circulation system and do not flower to reproduce.
my .02
dustintx
Member
Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/3225073
If you do a HOB fuge, I just use it to grow chaetomorpha.
You haven't been here long enough to receive PMs so shoot me an email.
socal57chevy @ yahoo.com
Put "SWF" in the subject line.
I'll send you some info on HOB fuge building...which, IMO, is a misleading term. They are too small to be a true refugium. More like a confined area to grow macroalgae in a controlled environment.
Ok,you are using too many initials or whatever cause I have no idea what SWF,HOB,IMO mean,lol. "single white female"? lol jk jk.....but seriously,I'm new to the site so you have to let me know what they mean right now, until I understand better. But I will shoot you an email after this.
http:///forum/post/3225073
If you do a HOB fuge, I just use it to grow chaetomorpha.
You haven't been here long enough to receive PMs so shoot me an email.
socal57chevy @ yahoo.com
Put "SWF" in the subject line.
I'll send you some info on HOB fuge building...which, IMO, is a misleading term. They are too small to be a true refugium. More like a confined area to grow macroalgae in a controlled environment.
Ok,you are using too many initials or whatever cause I have no idea what SWF,HOB,IMO mean,lol. "single white female"? lol jk jk.....but seriously,I'm new to the site so you have to let me know what they mean right now, until I understand better. But I will shoot you an email after this.
dustintx
Member
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3225128
Egg crate is available from building supply places like Lowes or Home depot. When you ask for egg crate they look at you kinda funny because it is actually a light diffuser. Look in the dropped ceiling section of not in the lighting section.
You grow macro algaes in the refugium like various caulerpas or chaetomophia (brill pad). Macro algaes are just "organized" algae that can look like plants. Only they are actually algaes but have no circulation system and do not flower to reproduce.
my .02
Awesome! Ok so I asked a friend from work about a refugium and he had mentioned "mud"....do I HAVE to use mud or can I grow macro algae with just regular substrate and live rock????
http:///forum/post/3225128
Egg crate is available from building supply places like Lowes or Home depot. When you ask for egg crate they look at you kinda funny because it is actually a light diffuser. Look in the dropped ceiling section of not in the lighting section.
You grow macro algaes in the refugium like various caulerpas or chaetomophia (brill pad). Macro algaes are just "organized" algae that can look like plants. Only they are actually algaes but have no circulation system and do not flower to reproduce.
my .02
Awesome! Ok so I asked a friend from work about a refugium and he had mentioned "mud"....do I HAVE to use mud or can I grow macro algae with just regular substrate and live rock????
socal57che
Active Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225472
Ok,you are using too many initials or whatever cause I have no idea what SWF,HOB,IMO mean,lol. "single white female"? lol jk jk.....but seriously,I'm new to the site so you have to let me know what they mean right now, until I understand better. But I will shoot you an email after this.
SWF = saltwaterfish.com
HOB = Hang On Back
IMO = In My Opinion
What does 'jk" mean??????
http:///forum/post/3225472
Ok,you are using too many initials or whatever cause I have no idea what SWF,HOB,IMO mean,lol. "single white female"? lol jk jk.....but seriously,I'm new to the site so you have to let me know what they mean right now, until I understand better. But I will shoot you an email after this.
SWF = saltwaterfish.com
HOB = Hang On Back
IMO = In My Opinion
What does 'jk" mean??????
socal57che
Active Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225477
Awesome! Ok so I asked a friend from work about a refugium and he had mentioned "mud"....do I HAVE to use mud or can I grow macro algae with just regular substrate and live rock????
Depends on which one we are talking about. Some HOB (Hang On Back) fuges have enough room for substate. The Aquaclear modification doesn't really have enough area to do much good, in my opinion. Couple this with the fact that it's easy to get sand in the pump and I prefer to simply use it to cultivate chaetomorpha macroalgae. You could use caulerpa, too. The algae will help export excess nutrients from your water column. I have no substrate or rock in my HOB Aquaclear...just chaeto and light.
http:///forum/post/3225477
Awesome! Ok so I asked a friend from work about a refugium and he had mentioned "mud"....do I HAVE to use mud or can I grow macro algae with just regular substrate and live rock????
Depends on which one we are talking about. Some HOB (Hang On Back) fuges have enough room for substate. The Aquaclear modification doesn't really have enough area to do much good, in my opinion. Couple this with the fact that it's easy to get sand in the pump and I prefer to simply use it to cultivate chaetomorpha macroalgae. You could use caulerpa, too. The algae will help export excess nutrients from your water column. I have no substrate or rock in my HOB Aquaclear...just chaeto and light.
socal57che
Active Member
Dustin, you have email...
dustintx
Member
Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/3225511
Depends on which one we are talking about. Some HOB (Hang On Back) fuges have enough room for substate. The Aquaclear modification doesn't really have enough area to do much good, in my opinion. Couple this with the fact that it's easy to get sand in the pump and I prefer to simply use it to cultivate chaetomorpha macroalgae. You could use caulerpa, too. The algae will help export excess nutrients from your water column. I have no substrate or rock in my HOB Aquaclear...just chaeto and light.
Awesome,thanx man. Looks good. Does it have some sort of filtration that runs to the tank? I just cant tell from the pic,sorry. I'm sure it has to. It looks like an old school hang over filter for a freshwater tank. Is that basically the way it works?
http:///forum/post/3225511
Depends on which one we are talking about. Some HOB (Hang On Back) fuges have enough room for substate. The Aquaclear modification doesn't really have enough area to do much good, in my opinion. Couple this with the fact that it's easy to get sand in the pump and I prefer to simply use it to cultivate chaetomorpha macroalgae. You could use caulerpa, too. The algae will help export excess nutrients from your water column. I have no substrate or rock in my HOB Aquaclear...just chaeto and light.
Awesome,thanx man. Looks good. Does it have some sort of filtration that runs to the tank? I just cant tell from the pic,sorry. I'm sure it has to. It looks like an old school hang over filter for a freshwater tank. Is that basically the way it works?
dustintx
Member
Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/3225543
Dustin, you have email...
Ok,cool. I'll check it in a little bit,I'm at work right now. JK = just kidding
http:///forum/post/3225543
Dustin, you have email...
Ok,cool. I'll check it in a little bit,I'm at work right now. JK = just kidding
dustintx
Member
What about if I just buy this kind for $45?
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-8530014..._2089_95497673
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-8530014..._2089_95497673
socal57che
Active Member
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225640
JK = just kidding
I forgot to include the sarcastic smilie again.
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225655
What about if I just buy this kind for $45?
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-8530014..._2089_95497673
I don't see why not. Just make sure you have enough room for the ball of chaeto to mave around and grow. If you use caulerpa, monitor it, prune it regularly and keep a light on it 24/7 to help keep it from going sexual.
http:///forum/post/3225640
JK = just kidding
I forgot to include the sarcastic smilie again.
Originally Posted by DustinTX
http:///forum/post/3225655
What about if I just buy this kind for $45?
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-8530014..._2089_95497673
I don't see why not. Just make sure you have enough room for the ball of chaeto to mave around and grow. If you use caulerpa, monitor it, prune it regularly and keep a light on it 24/7 to help keep it from going sexual.
dustintx
Member
Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/3226202
I forgot to include the sarcastic smilie again.
I don't see why not. Just make sure you have enough room for the ball of chaeto to mave around and grow. If you use caulerpa, monitor it, prune it regularly and keep a light on it 24/7 to help keep it from going sexual.
What happens if it goes sexual?
I have found a HOB w/skimmer built in it on ---- for around $80. I'm always about bargains,especially in this day in age.
http:///forum/post/3226202
I forgot to include the sarcastic smilie again.
I don't see why not. Just make sure you have enough room for the ball of chaeto to mave around and grow. If you use caulerpa, monitor it, prune it regularly and keep a light on it 24/7 to help keep it from going sexual.
What happens if it goes sexual?
I have found a HOB w/skimmer built in it on ---- for around $80. I'm always about bargains,especially in this day in age.