HOB refugiums overpriced, what do you think?

Hey guys, Ive been looking at HOB refugiums and I'm sry 150+ is just way overpriced for something so simple. I haven't seen anything under 100 with most sitting around the 150 range.

Why does a 20 gallon tank cost $30 at walmart but something 1/3 the size with a pump and a return pipe cost quadruple. I realized that some craftsmanship goes into making them but come on it cant cost the companies more than $15 total to make.

Of course the d.i.y method is another option modding a regular aquclear or doing the drilling on a acrylic yourself.

Is anybody else with me that most HOB refugiums are overpriced, or have you found some that more reasonable? Or maybe you think the price is justified, let me know

 

I agree 100%.

Tho they look really unique and would likely function well - seems like comparatively speaking - doing an external fuge in another tank is much more economical. Plus those fuges just add (tho maybe in an acceptable range) more structural stress to the tank.
You can also do a larger external fuge that is not HOB for bigger tanks - think you'll be doing a 20 gallon HOB fuge for your larger DT? Didnt think so.

 

Acrylic is expensive. I do not think you appreciate that. The acrylic to make one of theose costs more than 15$ plus labor, assembly, a pump, a PC light. I think it is fair and adds up. My acrylic reef octo HOB cost 130$ and it has less stuff to assemble.
If you want a cheaper option though, try:
AquaClear 70 Media Basket
Still with that you can see acrylic and assembly ain't cheap.

 

Acrylic is certainly very expensive - with the increase in crude comes an increase in the price of raw materials made from petroleum products.

For me tho - I have far less buyer's remorse spending the money on a piece of acrylic that is highly engineered and comes with a brand name pump than I do on a small box with a tiny pump and minimal engineering.

That is not to say they will not serve the purpose well.

Just agreeing with the OP that for me, I cannot justify the expense (my budget influences that bigtime - given a bigger budget - I am sure I would take a different position.)

 

I have an CPR aquafuge 2 w/skimmer & light that I picked up used. It still ran me $100, I dont think at the new price I wouldve purchased it, it would just plain be out of my budget, but like some of the posters said above the craftsmanship and quality of it is superb. Had I not come across it though I probably wouldve went with the traditional sump/fuge.

 

I think HOB fuges are really cool if you have the extra room on the side of your DT- allows you to really study the behaviour of the inhabitants up close and with ease!

 

largest cheapest one I could find was this one: HOB Refuge

I just attached a maxi-jet for the pump.