HOB Fuges

[likwidglostix]

Has anyone used one of these before, and if so how do you like it? I'm researching for a 55g build. I saw these on Drs Foster and smith and it looked like a nice alternative. EcoSystems and AquaFuge both make them, the AF come with a built in skimmer as does the ES pro series. I can't get too crazy as I live in an apt. and can't really run plumbing down to the basement. It seems like one of these would also eliminate the problem of potentially coating the floor with salt water, and as you can imagine I want my deposit back.

 

[grubbie]

I have the Aquafuge 2 PS, the skimmer stinks. I have 2 collection cup that I clean and switch out about ever 3-4 days. The lift tube gets so caked with gunk the bubbles won't rise. It makes a lot of noise and I have to clean the powerhead every other week (because of no bubbles).

I bought it because the tank is located on the second floor of my house and I didn't have room for a sump.

 

[reefscape15]

I have the CPR 2.5g HOB fuge. It's not the cleanest thing i've ever seen because it just pulls water from the display and runs it through the fuge with no pre-filtration, but having said that, any fuge is better than nothing. There is a cloud of swimming pods that i can see and tons of worms and filter feeders

 

[likwidglostix]

Yeah, it doesn't seem like it provides any mechanical or chemical filtration. I was going to get the Tunze nano filter and hide it in the rockwork like got2envy did on NR for her 46 bowfront. I've noticed on a couple of websites, they only sell the Tunze with the skimmer as a set. Since they're exactly the same size, I could use both of them and buy the AF HOB Fuge without skimmer. I'm sure the Tunze is better anyway. I like the way she built a spot for the filter in the eggcrate, I would just make mine twice as big for both units.

I may still do a 55 as my gfs dad has one in storage I'm trying to buy, but I'm leaning more torwards a 36 bowfront If I can find one on craigslist.

 

[ledford1]

If you're look for the AquaFuge PS as your main skimmer, I think you'd be disappointed. If you want to use an AquaFuge to grow macro for nutrient export, I think you'll like it.

I have the AquaFuge 2. They are on the pricey side for what they are, but they do allow you to easily add a fuge when space won't allow for anything more.

 

[likwidglostix]

That's pretty much all I want to do with one now. I'll get the tunze skimmer/filter set and just use the basic fuge for macro and pod farming. I figure it'll give me a predator free sand bed with a bit of LR. I'd like to put a mandarin in the next tank along with my two current clowns, my flametail blennie, and maybe a dwarf angel. The blacktail damsel that's also in my BC14 will be given to the pet store, but I have to wait until I empty it of LR as he's a quick little bastage. The next one will be more of a peaceful tank. This one was supposed to be, but no one warned me about damsels.

I was thinking about building an eggcrate cage in which to grow some macro in the display tank. My thought was to anchor it in the cage, then whenever it grows out, it could be a constant food source for a grazer. He could just come up to the cage and nibble on the bits he can get to without decimating the whole supply.

reefscape15, do the pods stay in your fuge, or do some of them end up in the main tank?

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

If you can't in any way fit a small sump, these are a viable option as a place to grow macro. Not enough room for a meaningful amount of live rock or sand, and a pain in the *** to clean being hung off the back of the tank. If you're looking for a way to safely grow macro without the fish being able to eat it all, look at the suction cup mounted clear plastic "bins" in the bathroom section of the hardware store.

 

[reefscape15]

I've started noticing more in my tank when i move rocks around here and there. I guess the more in my tank, the less i'll have to feed corals and fish