HOB refugium

I have been looking at a HOB refugium 14 x 4 x 12.
Can I put my skimmer and heater and other filters in it or do they need to be in the main tank. Also I am changing my SG by letting my water gradually evaporate. I noticed that the water level is not even and it apears that the whole tank is leaning forward a 16th of an inch, is this going to be a problem in the
future? the tank has been up and running for about 6 months now.

 

You MIGHT be able to fit a heater in an HOB fuge, but that would be about it. Keep in mind that thing is only 4" wide, so your not really going to be able to fit equipment in it. For the nearly insane amount they charge for those things, why not just do an in-stand sump/fuge and do it the right way anyways?

 

I don't see why not...you should be able to fit the heater in there the skimmer may be too wide depending on what type you have. As for the SG, don't you think that method may take kinda long? IMO, you can remove say about 5% of the volume / day and replace with fresh water without harming anything. As for the tank tilting, yes that could pose a serious problem in the future and should be rectified ASAP. Something as little as someone bumping into the tank can cause the glass to crack.
HTH

 

I have a skimmer that is a replica of the sea clone and the pump is 3 1/2 inches so I dont see why it wouldnt work unless Im missing something. The reason I dont do it myself is I would have to get another tank and buy a pump and then the plumbing issue and I am no plumber before breaking my back I worked in th eoilfield's and no nothing about plumbing except they are listed in the yellow pages so the HOB seems like the thing. I will drive some wedges under the stand and level the tank up and trim the wedges flush to the stand. As far as the SG taking its time I feel its the best way then just do a salt mix to equal the tanks SG. I have no life in the tank and am waiting on dry rock so time isnt an issue. Thnx for the info on the tank though maybe I can balance it out without breaking anything. Might be best to get the water into some tubs then level it...well any way man thnx........

 

i would leave the skimmer in the the main tank because the skimmer would probably suck up some plants and kill a bunch of pods

 

My Skimmer puts alot of microbubbles into the tank so I want it out....until I can get a descent skimmer any ways...I made the skimp mistake when starting out so now I will have extra lights and skimmers in the
closet taking up space....
I am thinking of maybe putting a screen over the skimmer output tray maybe it will stop the bubbles but dont know what type of screen would be acceptable in a sw environment

 

Try putting just a filter sock on the output of the skimmer. That usually helps

 

I used a media bag but it needed a wash every day, right now there are no fish here and I have dry rock on the way so no need for a skimmer yet.....thnx for the input...when I start running it agian I will give all ideas a go...I might just let it set with lights on 24/7 for a few months and creat a coraline garden...then I should have enuff to get proper lights and a proper skimmer....