AC hob refugium questions

Hello to All,

I am learning a ton from this site - thank you to all who add to it.

Just some questions from a newbie - I recently made a little HOB refugium out of an AC 50 filter to supplement the Aqua C Remora protein skimmer on my 29 gallon tank. I took a hammer to a chunk of my rock and made some rubble for the bottom of it (gotta admit I enjoyed that part having had a rough day at work) and i added a tiny bit of my sand to it. Topped it off with a small ball of chaeto and voila.

I like the added flow and "natural filtration" it provides (albeit on a small scale for now while I learn all this) and my fish seem to like it too - they are often playing in the current it creates. A humble start, I know - but baby steps seem to be the right approach in this hobby.

Anyways, is it a good idea to keep a small bag of charcoal in it - or is that unecessary?

What about a mangrove pod?

Also - to any of you who have ever had one of these, what do you suggest as far as a simple way of lighting it? I need something small.

Thank you in advance.

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/diy-hob-fuge-63086.html

never attempted anything like this myself onefishtwofish ( might have to in the near future though)

but I remember enjoying the above article by one of our members who has done this
hopefully some ideas in the above thread that can help you

Steve

 

Thank you! That is a great thread.