Switching to a Refugium to lower nitrates- Aquafuge?? HOB.

Txcowboy22 · 01/21/2008, 11:44 AM

I currently have a hang on back filter Aquaclear 400. I am thinking about switching to some type of Refugium to lower my nitrates. I am haveing a hard time keeping them below 20 ppm. I was wondering if a hang on back Refugium would work? Or if I should just do a Refugium under the tank. Its just that the plumbing is pretty intemidating to me. I had a wet dry filter before and I was very unhappy with all the noise and plumbing issues, thanks for any help!

dsn112 · 01/21/2008, 11:53 AM

Make your Aquaclear into a refugium

Txcowboy22 · 01/21/2008, 11:56 AM

I read an article on wetweb media that talk about doing that, I just thought it might be too small? Do you think it would help? Its not the largest 1 that hagen makes. where would I get a light small enough for it? It is on 9 inches long. Is this big enough to make a difference?

osprey3883 · 01/21/2008, 12:40 PM

Hello,
My first thought is have you determined what will fit under your stand? I like to tape together boxes of the dimensions of the fuge to determine what I can and can't fit.
The plumbing can be super simple, nothing IMO to be too intimidated by.
If you go the hang on route make sure to check e-bay, some great deals on the hang on type from time to time.

Matt

Txcowboy22 · 01/21/2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by osprey3883
Hello,
My first thought is have you determined what will fit under your stand? I like to tape together boxes of the dimensions of the fuge to determine what I can and can't fit.
The plumbing can be super simple, nothing IMO to be too intimidated by.
If you go the hang on route make sure to check e-bay, some great deals on the hang on type from time to time.

Matt

I was thinking since I already have a good hob skimmer(aqua C remora), that I might want to bypass making an under the tank sump. I was wondering what I should do. I don't want to do something that I might have to redo again.

Txcowboy22 · 01/21/2008, 02:03 PM

If I do switch my aquaclear into a fuge, what should I put in it? Also, should I be worried about the tank cycling?

Txcowboy22 · 01/21/2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dsn112
Make your Aquaclear into a refugium

Your mailbox is full, do I need to take out the old basket stuff?

dsn112 · 01/21/2008, 06:58 PM

its empty now, yes you dont need anything in there.

Txcowboy22 · 01/21/2008, 09:20 PM

so, I just take everything out. Then I put LR on the bottom add cheato and then a light? Thats it?

Txcowboy22 · 01/23/2008, 01:32 AM

ok, so I turned it into a fuge. Will I need to worry about a spike in ammonia or anything?

01/21/2008, 11:44 AM	#1
Txcowboy22 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long beach Posts: 2,098	Switching to a Refugium to lower nitrates- Aquafuge?? HOB. I currently have a hang on back filter Aquaclear 400. I am thinking about switching to some type of Refugium to lower my nitrates. I am haveing a hard time keeping them below 20 ppm. I was wondering if a hang on back Refugium would work? Or if I should just do a Refugium under the tank. Its just that the plumbing is pretty intemidating to me. I had a wet dry filter before and I was very unhappy with all the noise and plumbing issues, thanks for any help!

01/21/2008, 11:53 AM	#2
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	Make your Aquaclear into a refugium __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/21/2008, 06:58 PM	#8
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	its empty now, yes you dont need anything in there. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/21/2008, 11:56 AM	#3
Txcowboy22 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long beach Posts: 2,098	I read an article on wetweb media that talk about doing that, I just thought it might be too small? Do you think it would help? Its not the largest 1 that hagen makes. where would I get a light small enough for it? It is on 9 inches long. Is this big enough to make a difference?

01/21/2008, 12:40 PM	#4
osprey3883 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Laveen AZ Posts: 190	Hello, My first thought is have you determined what will fit under your stand? I like to tape together boxes of the dimensions of the fuge to determine what I can and can't fit. The plumbing can be super simple, nothing IMO to be too intimidated by. If you go the hang on route make sure to check e-bay, some great deals on the hang on type from time to time. Matt

01/21/2008, 02:03 PM	#6
Txcowboy22 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long beach Posts: 2,098	If I do switch my aquaclear into a fuge, what should I put in it? Also, should I be worried about the tank cycling?

01/21/2008, 09:20 PM	#9
Txcowboy22 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long beach Posts: 2,098	so, I just take everything out. Then I put LR on the bottom add cheato and then a light? Thats it?

01/23/2008, 01:32 AM	#10
Txcowboy22 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long beach Posts: 2,098	ok, so I turned it into a fuge. Will I need to worry about a spike in ammonia or anything?