I have this skimmer....

[nanshaw2001]

It's used but works fine- CPR Backpack- has a compartment for filtration that has a biobale. I am already running a cascade for filtration. Can the extra compartment be used for a refugium and does anyone have suggested media replacement for the biobale? Seems there are better things I could put in there. The tank is a 55, average bioload. Trying corals for the first time. TIA !!!

 

[nanshaw2001]

Not getting any replies. Let me ask this.....would this be a good place for my chaeto? Thanks in advance!

 

[dahenley]

is it a bak-pak 2 or an original? i am sure you could replace the bio bale with chaeto. i didnt do it. (you would need a light to for the macro to grow) the bio bale is intended to work like bio balls and house bacteria. the reef models dont use bio bale so you can do what you would like.
take it out, replace it with macro. if you dont like it or if it isnt working then just replace it back with the bio bale.

 

[Snakebyt]

or take out the bio bale and replace it with live rock rubble

 

[nanshaw2001]

It's a backpack 2. I only have a baseball size piece of chaeto ( would love for it to grow so I can add some to my sump on the 150) . Could I stuff the biobale back in and put the chaeto on top with a clip on light?

 

[skimmy]

dont bother...
if you wanna do that, then get one of those super cheap refugium/protein skimmer combo's for aquatraders for $50, then get a mj-1200 or qo-1200 and mesh mod it.
even if you keep the bakpak you have now, get either pump mentioned and mesh mod it for best results.