Aquaclear and skimmer, or HOB fuge?

[Xirxes23]

I have had my 10 G set up for about 2 months now, and i am seeing nitrate buildup (10-20 ppm), and some algae growth. I believe the nitrates are coming from the fertilizer in my homemade phyto that i have been dosing.

I have a small aquaclear right now that i am running carbon w/ a blue mesh filter.

My question is will i benefit more from a nano remora, in addition to the aquaclear, or should i just replace the aquaclear with a aquapod2 hob refugium? if i get a refugium, there will be no room on my 10 G for a skimmer.

 

[Bmgrocks]

Why dont you just turn ur AC into a Refugium. and purchase the Nano Remora.

There is a DIY form in this nano section, check it out.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I'd turn the AC into a fuge if its big enough. What model do you have? I turned an AC 70 into a fuge for my 29g tank it i never had nitrates or phosphates even tho i fed the heck out of the tank :lol: No joke tho...i overfed that thing so bad but never had problems.

All you really do is put live sand in, some rock rubble, and then a ball of chaeto alga and put a little clip on light over it. No sense paying a ton of money for the "name brand" fuges imo when you could get a simple AC filter and do it yourself.

 

[air_doc28]

10 gal w/ AC70 fuge holding a heater and iceprobe chiller, and remora w/ MJ1200. Works great! No more hair algae!!

 

[disney95]

how wide is the AC70 will I be able to hang it on the back of my aquapod 24

 

[norcal99]

I think that converting your existing aquaclear, assuming it's at least an AC70, into a fuge would probably be more beneficial in terms of dropping nitrates and phosphates. Sticking in some macro algae (caulerpa, chaetomorpha, etc.) w/ a light would serve as a great nutrient export and should reduce your nitrates and high phosphates. More effective than a skimmer in my experience, even though I run a nano remora. Skimmer's really aren't necessary on a nano unless you're planning on SPS. +1 for a refugium.

 

[clowninaround74]

can you mod an AC 50 the same way???

 

[slowECUdiver]

yup. any AC HOB filter can be modded. see here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=601201

 

[clowninaround74]

thanks...yea i have studied that thread!!! i just didnt know if the steps were the same.

Randall