Refugium, Sump, more rock? Best bang for 200 bucks?

So I am a little unclear about what is most important.

I dont have either sump or fuge, nor enough live rock. My tank seems to have a lot of algae problems.

So it seems like the idea of a fuge "collect all the algae in it" is really good.

But then again, I dont have a lot of live rock, maybe 30lbs, in a 45, so should my money go to more rock before a refugium.

But it seems like everyone has a sump under their tank, and some add a refugium to it.

I have a Remora HOB protein skimmer, but its not skimming from the surface. Think maybe a overflow to sump would mean cleaning the dirtier water.

But there are also HOB refugiums, that seem like they could work. Seems like CPR is the main maker of those but they also seem pretty small.

My current stand has only 12 inches between the braces down below, and my tank is all glass so i have to do an overflow to a custom sump, which would mean learning to work with acrylic or glass.

So right now addig a sump seems like a major project. Including fabricating a custom sump to fit in that tiny space.

This all comes up because i have to move this tank all to a new apartment this week, and figure now is the tim to change anything if ever.

You can tell I am a little frazzled. So all that said. If i was going to invest 200 more into my tank. What is the best bang for the buck?

 

You could always built a HOB refuge with an old HOB filter. They are really easy to convert. Also, many people successfully run tank without a sump, however it does look nice to have a sump. You could use a bit more rock. I'd go with base rock to save a little cash on that, and eventually it looks the same.

 

a sump will make your life so much easier trust me.... you can build your refugium into the sump...it doesnt have to be seperate..

If all you want to do is get rid of the algae...try a submarine UV filter for 60 bux at marine depot..that will take care of your algae...get some astrea snails

 

Yeah i do have a old HOB filter. So i could try that. I thought there was more to a refugium. But if that would work.

Infamous, how does a sump make life easier? Seems like its just so you can put stuff like the heater somewhere else. What other advantages does it have?

 

Fuge & base rock for sure! Tangster can get you a custom built tank for a sump/fuge/wet dry ect. for a decent price.

 

I totally agree. The fuge for your algae problem and more surface area for your beneficial bacteria to grow. You need both. And you can do both for $200 if you get the base rock instead of live rock and do a HOB DIY fuge. Talk to John Maloney about rock and do a 3reef search on how to do a DIY HOB fuge. I saw a thread on this subject a few months ago.

 

I would get a fuge for the algae and BR is'nt to expensive so what ever you have left over get BR with. It's always cheaper to DIY that should also save ya a little more.

 

Awesome Guys! I found the HOB project. that seems doable. Base Rock, I can do that too. Who is John? is he a user here?

Glen.

 

I would say build a sump with a fuge in it.

 

he runs reefcleaners.org.
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