Hob refugium necessary?

Ok so the dimensions of the box were the cheato will sit is 5.5hx5.5lx2.5w. Will this area be big enough for the cheato?

 

That's almost exactly the same size as my chamber (mine is just a bit deeper and wider). I'm giving it a shot regardless, so if you want to hold tight I can let you see a picture when I get my chaeto tomorrow or Thursday.

A little chaeto in a small tank will help more than no chaeto, but others may have different opinions.

 

The only thing I'm worried about is the flow the cheato will get in my filter. The inlet isn't much lower than where it flows out so idk if the bottom will get much flow... (I know it filthy but I wanted to make sure it worked before I cleaned it!)

 

Are you saying the water flows from the inlet side of the filter to the main "compartment" from the top? Just wanted to clarify.

 

Basically, about half way down the compartment.

 

Mine enters the main compartment at the bottom, thus causing the problem I had with sand blowing around. If yours enters from the middle I think it would work fine, as it should circulate throughout.

Do you have a way to adjust the amount of flow with that filter?

 

I'll mention again that sand is only is a normal refugium as a method of denitrification, in a DSB configuration (5+ inches deep). You don't have that kind of room in a HOB, so sand is kinda pointless. Pods don't need sand.

 

I removed mine after the 1st day as it is pointless in this application. Now as for the LR rubble, how large should those pieces be?

 

Well, I don't see a reason to do LR either. You're going to get a small bit of denitrification from LR, but I think chaeto all the way down is going to give the best results.

 

I agree. With your limited space, I'd go for the maximum amount of room for the Cheato to grow in. If you do do any LR, I'd keep it small. Like golf ball sized or smaller.