does anyone have a HOB refugium?? i need help

i'm planning on adding an HOB fuge but i'm worried that it won't fit between the wall and the tank...

the tank is already set up

i'm looking at the cpr models and it says that it is 4.5" but it has adjustable screws so that you can balance it out after install...

what i'm wondering is if anyone has a HOB FUGE can you measure the space that it takes up behind the tank and what kind/brand/model you guys are using?

TIA
-ROMIE

 

I had the same exact CPR HOB Fuge with built in skimmer and HATED it. You will need about a good 5 inches or so because the light that comes with it is bigger than the actual fuge. I didnt like how I go so many micro bubbles in my DT because of the skimmer but if your going to just use it as a fuge it will be different except you will get bubbles where the return is into the tank. No matter what I did I couldnt get those to stop. You will get some of the light from the fuge get into the DT so you will still see it at night. What kind of filtration do you currently have right now? I think that the CPR unit is over priced for what it is.

 

i don't have any sort of filtration other than water movement live sand and live rock

this is why i'm trying to add a HOB...

 

I have my CPR HOB on my sump, if u think it might not fit, I will not suggest it as to all acrylic product, you need to give it a little bit room more than the space it is without water and under normal room temp. as once it has water or temp change, it might change a bit and if it is already barely able to fit inside, I would not suggest to risk

 

well i don't have space so i will need to run it on the side...

i wish someone could chime in w/some detailed specs oh well... thanks for your help guys!!

 

I Was looking into in in the past and was advised to not bother with a HOB fuge. The small volume of water they hold and small space make it almost useless for nitrate reduction.

What are your plans for your tank and what size tank do you have? Im assuming its the 46bow reef in your sig?

If so that is the same tank I have set up with just a HOB filter for carbon an floss for for chemical and mechanical filtration. Other than that my water movement and 45+lbs liverock handle all the biological filtration keeping my nitrates at 0 with 2 clowns, a flame angel, and a blue hippo. Many softies help with nutrient export much in the way algae scrubbers work and I have good growth from my xenia and jasmine polyp but also keep a lot of lps and a few sps.

Depending what you want to do skimmers and fuges may or may not be needed. If you plan on going all SPS low nutrient system than I would let others chime in with their suggestions

 

no actually i went against the book on my 46 bow w/nothing other than live rock live sand and good water movement and it's been up for about 1 and half years

this is for my 40 breeder that i have mandarin it's basically for pods i want to have some miracle mud cheato and dump a ton of pods in there to feed my mandarin

 

i used a modified aqua clear 70 fuge on my old 20 gallon reef, that required about 4" -4.5" for a comfortable fit.

 

I am using this one on a 29 gallon tank.

http://www.aquatraders.com/Hang-On-Refugium-with-Protein-Skimmer-14in-p/43016.htm

I have miracle mud, a little sand and lots of chaeto. It will require 5" in the back for a snug fit. I am using a multi-colored 2 Watt paddle led clip on light for the fuge, so far so good after about 16 months. I have soft corals and 1 clown in the tank. Only issue I have had is I had to replace the power head, it broke but I was able to get 2 of them shipped to me for $20! I think it does a great job and my pods love the chaeto! I have a target mandrin in my 55 gallon and I am using this tank to raise extra pods for him, I like to keep him fat and happy!

 

thanks for you guys help!

i don't even have 4" behind and that stinks but i think i shouldn't have aproblem running one on the side of the tank

i'm leaning towards the cpr aquafuge in the medium size now it just depends on if the leg of my light fits between the two brackets that go on top for support

once again thanks a lot