HOB Only Tanks

oakoen

Member
I wanted to start a thread for HOB only reef tanks. Finding pictures of established HOB tanks has been a task.

I am toward the end of cycling my 1st reef tank.

I currently have a HOB Coralife 65 skimmer and a HOB CPR Aquafuge refugium with sand, rubble and cheato set up.

I was hoping some of you who have a similar set up might post some pictures and explanations of your care routines.

Thanks,

John
 
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I also have no sump. I have a 65g with a HOB Eshopps skimmer, a TLF Phosban reactor with GFO, and a HOB fuge with rubble rock and cheato. I love my system and everything is super happy. I can post pics tonight.
 
56 gal reef with eheim ecco 2236,
Reef Octopus Hang on Back Protein Skimmer BH-300
sun sun 800gph powerhead
sun sun 400gph powerhead
250w 15000k metalhalide
130w actinic power compac

Up and running for 8 months
 

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Well I dont think youre going to get to many posting in here. Ive been reading everything on this forum and I can tell you that most of the folks think that if you dont run a sump you will fail.

I personally ran a 210g reef tank for 3 yrs with lots of LR, a HOB skimmer, and canister filters (for flow and carbon). I cant tell you how many times Ive seen someone write that canister filters are nitrate traps even if they have no media in the filter.

Sorry, just venting a little bit of frustration.

Dave
 
Heres my 40g breeder. Hang on skimmer and fuge. 5 gal water changes every 2 weeks. Started the tank 5/1/10. Doing pretty well for my first saltwater tank. Pic is a few weeks old but you can get the idea.
4969142567_b86e19dc29_b.jpg
 
Thanks guys, these are exactly what I have been wanting to see. Successful HOB tanks are doable. :bounce1:

Please keep them coming.
 
Here is my 50g sumpless reef, been running for about 6 months now.

All i have on it is a Warner Marine H2 skimmer and a few power heads and everything has been doing great.

Although i am working on adding a sump right now, which really is the best way to go.

IMG_0727.jpg
 
This is my 40B at almost 2 years using only an Aquaclear 70 HOB filter running Chemipure Elite (no skimmer). I purposely kept the fish load low (2 clowns). The tank looks a bit different now and I just recently added a HOB overflow box to a 20g sump. I will say that having the sump has allowed me to breath a bit easier. My acros in particular seem to like the added water volume and the added flow from my return pump.

100_3688.jpg
 
Well I dont think youre going to get to many posting in here. Ive been reading everything on this forum and I can tell you that most of the folks think that if you dont run a sump you will fail.

I personally ran a 210g reef tank for 3 yrs with lots of LR, a HOB skimmer, and canister filters (for flow and carbon). I cant tell you how many times Ive seen someone write that canister filters are nitrate traps even if they have no media in the filter.

Sorry, just venting a little bit of frustration.

Dave

only reason i would tell anyone to get a sump, is to hide all the equipment.
that's why i got one, could not stand all the equipment i had in my 55. skimmer, heater, and utube from canistor filter. my wife hated it too.
other than that, if you can make it work, then go for it. hang on fuges are nice too.
 
These hob tanks are encouraging to see as I am thinking on going with a hob skimmer for my 135 gallon as it is not drilled and the stand is not set up well for a sump and I don't want to start hacking up my stand yet.
 
This thread is encouraging to me too. I have a 46 gallon bowfront with no sump or fuge. I have a aquac remora hob skimmer, cascade canister and a koralia 4 powerhead. My system has been running for just under a year and seems to be running great. The only problem I'm having is a battle with green hair algae, all else is good.
 
Just curious, why would a care routine be different with a HOB only tank versus a tank with a sump? I have run both (currently only running with sump) and everything is about the same. The only difference I can literally think of is that water change/top off water and dosing gets put into the display in a HOB system and into the sump on a sump system.
 
I also have no sump. I have a 65g with a HOB Eshopps skimmer, a TLF Phosban reactor with GFO, and a HOB fuge with rubble rock and cheato. I love my system and everything is super happy. I can post pics tonight.

Which Eshopps skimmer do you have? Do you experience with other skimmers you can compare it to(ie psk100 is better than xxxxx)?

I'm looking at the PSK-100H for a 40g breeder.
 
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