Converting a large HOB filter chamber as a mini refugium.

[sgtmyers88]

I have a large 400 GPH HOB filter on my Marine 55 gallon tank (with the original media removed) and I have a few small pieces of LR rubble sitting at the bottom with Chaeto macroalgae at the surface being tumbled by the water current in the filter chamber. I also have a clip-on 75 watt desk lamp sitting over the unit. This has been active for 3 months and seems to work well. The only problem I had was that I had to separate the Chaeto macroalgae and disperse it throughout the tank due to growth causing it to become immobile in the filter chamber.

[Nuclear_Glitter]

I've read about others doing this. A lot of them attach it to their sump. Glad to hear it's working out for you.

[Pufferpunk]

I did that for a while but the stuff I had in there just kept getting clogged with detritus. Now I have nothing in there other than Purigen. Makes for great flow over the corals!

[Terrance]

I think the HOB filter would have too strong of a current.

[Pufferpunk]

Works great for my tanks.

[sgtmyers88]

I did that for a while but the stuff I had in there just kept getting clogged with detritus. Now I have nothing in there other than Purigen. Makes for great flow over the corals!

Yeah I had that problem too but I quickly resolved that by cutting a hole in the short side of an aquaclear filter sponge and placing it over the intake tube to use as prefilter media. (seen in my recent video) Just slip it off the tube and wring it out over the sink when cleaning the tank or changing water.