hang on refugium questions

[slowfish]

I recently combined 2 smaller tanks into a 55g and was looking to use a hang on refugium to grow some cheato with. As I had terrible results growing it in the tank before. It grew but got everywhere, collected a bunch of junk, and so forth.

First of all would something like this be worth it? Ive done some looking around and have read a few things about a hang on tank refugium not being worth it unless the tank is something such as a biocube/nano cube.

If it is worth it does anyone have recommendations on which one to get?

Ive considered a few options. Whichever one I go with it will have a light as as well.

A diy breeder box type
CPR aquafuge 2
Ecosystem 40 complete
or this one http://www.aquatraders.com/Hang-On-Refugium-with-Protein-Skimmer-24in-p/43017.htm

 

[SKurj]

I have a CPR Aquafuge, the medium sized one on a 40g Long tank, and I have their light as well. I put 4" of sand in it, some LRubble and chaeto. The chaeto sure grows, but.. I am noob and can't honestly say whether it is doing me a lot of good or not. One thing though it does have a lot of pods and bugs in it thats for sure.

In the future I may consider removing the sand, to give more room for chaeto. I currently start with a baseball sized ball, and after 2-3 weeks I toss half of it and start again.

I should add its a well made unit, no complaints there. The ramp (return) could do to be 1/2" deeper as it does create a tiny bit of noise and some bubbles, but! if I could fill my tank 1/2" more it wouldn't be an issue. The only reason I cannot run the tank fuller is becasue I use a Tunze Ozmolator with the sensors in the DT.

 

[BBRT]

On my 20gal nano I have the cpr aquafuge 2 with built in skimmer, It works great for growing cheato,housing the heater and growing pods. (makes the DT less cluttered with equipment.)
On the other hand if your 55g is going to have a sump I would recommend just using part of the sump for the refugium, if not then the hob refugium would be a good addition as long as its big enough.