HOB Refugium

[Andrew_B]

Has anyone tried turning their AC70/110's into a Refugium?
Found this link with a mini tutorial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9miXlQQ31v0

People living in Spring know the water is terrible. Ammonia in water, ultimately leading to raised nitrates. Do water changes to reduce nitrates just to add more? Since my current tank doesn't have room for a wet/dry planted sump refugium, would adding 1-2 of these AC DIY refugiums provide any worthwhile nitrate reduction for a 55gal? My nitrates pretty much peak at 40ppm.

Seems easy enough to put together, just wondering if it's successful

[fshfrk]

Do it. I think it's a great ideal. You have nothing to loose. I would like to see how it works out.

[Darbex]

I have an AC110 used as a carbon filter and I have an Ice Probe to cool the water down. On a side note the local water shouldnt matter on a SW tank. You shouldnt be using the tap water to mix salt or use as top off. There are way to many chemicals in the water that will cause havoc on your fish and corals. Only use RO water and I recommend using RO/DI

[Andrew_B]

This is for a freshwater tank actually. Going to try tossing some good nitrate soaking plants into this mini refugium to see if it has any effect on the tank. Not really sure what I shold put in there though. Probably a couple small potted plants topped with some floating frogbite or riccia possibly? Apparently don't need much light

[cichlid1409]

done it before and can be a real pain. theres not much room to work with. if this isnt your only filter it could work though.

[fshfrk]

A algea scrubber will help. Which reminds me I have not cleaned my screen in a couple of months. If you don't clean the screen the scrubber is worthless. Going to do it now.