Really want a refugium

[LakeShow]

I have a 50 gallon in the works that i plan on making a mixed reef, due to its placement there is no possible way for me to have a sump, but i still really want to have a refugium, the tank is 30 x 18 x 21 so there isnt that much room on the back to begin with, and i already have a Warner Marine H2 skimmer on it wich takes up about 10" of space, leaving me about 18" of usable space since the rim takes about an inch off each side, the only decent pre made HoB refugium i can find is the CPR AquaFuge, and id only be able to use the smallest one which is 13" long and holds like a gallon and a half of water, but my question is would this be worth the effort/price on a 50g tank? would that small of a refugium really benefit the tank enough to even bother buying?

I also have an AC110 laying around from when the tank was freshwater that i could convert into a little DIY fuge, iv seen some nice ones on line but it seems most people put them on alot smaller of tanks, so the same question goes for this one to, is it worth it on this size of a tank?

Any other recomendations on how to possibly get a fuge on the back of the tank would be great, or if the above ideas seem worth a shot please let me know!

 

[Ratkiller]

What about putting the HOB on the side. Or even better yet do a HOB over flow, pick up a 10gallon from PetCo for $15, and put it on the side of you display tank. Throw some chetto and other plants in there and your good to go. But to tell you the truth even the 13" CPR HOB is worth useing. I have a friend that has one on the SPS dominated 90gallon and it works great. His tank it thriving!!!!

 

[LakeShow]

Thank you for the reply, I know a 10 gallon would be the best way to go but there is no room on either side of the tank for one, it's between two walls that are only about 35" apart, which is the reason I had to go with the 30" tank with kind of odd dimensions. Also only about 5" from the back wall so I couldn't fit much more than the aquafuge that I can find, good to know the aquafuge is doin good on your friends tank, I only want one for some macro and to be able to keep a nice pod population goin, think that the small one would be able to do the job? I havnt really been able to find to many reviews on them so if anyone has any experience with them let me know what you think!

Thanks

 

[Ritorix]

I've got an aquafuge on the back of my 40g. It works as advertised, lots of big fat 1/2'' long amphipods back there along with a ton of those little white sponges and (harmless) clear flatworms. I keep a small ball of cheeto with an attached LED lamp.