The Puffer Forum

setting up a 29 gal marine aquarium for a toby. Would it be adequte filtration to just use a hang on the back fuge with macro algae as the filtration system and a clean up crew (hermies) in the tank with live rock, or would I need more filtration?

If so, what additional filtration do you suggest? thanks

I'd just make sure you add a skimmer, although space to hang one on the back might be limited with a HOB fuge.

With lots of LR and a good skimmer you should be good to go. A HOB fuge is nice, but IMHO they are not big enough to be a proper filter for a messy fish like a puffer. I have a HOB fuge on my 60 gallon and really like it, but if I had to choose between it and a skimmer I'd pick the skimmer every time.

Look for a macro algae like Chaetomorpha to put in your fuge... the stuff grows like mad (i.e.- good nutrient export)and I've found it to not have some of the issues of stuff like Caulerpa. It also shelters pods really well too.

laxchick008 wrote:

"Setting up a 29 gal for a tobie. I am not planning on using a skimmer. Before I get shot for this, tell me if you think the following set up is sufficient:

will have a HOB fuge with macro algae, also clean up crew in tank (mostly hermies) and live rock in main tank.

Can I get away without the skimmer if the only inhabitant is the tobie?"


I moved this question here from a separate thread. Please avoid double-posting .

thanks Lisa, sorry about that, didn't have responses here so I thought maybe I should have posted in the marine tank forum.

So there is no way around having a skimmer? Problem is the HOB skimmers don't seem to really work, and I didn't plan on plumbing a sump...

Any advice on ways to avoid a skimmer?

No prob!
Look into the AquaC hang-on models, they work really well.

I used a Backpac for quite a while on my 55g w/fine results. Now have a Coralife Super Skimmer 125g HOB of my 55g with fantastic results!

You can get around it. I have a nanocube that is set up as a small marine tank without space for a skimmer... but I have say I have a really had time keeping the water parameters stable compared to my other two marine tanks _with_ skimmers. If you go the skimmerless route, I'd add a small Aquaclear HOB or look into a small canister. Just watch your ph/alkalinity, feed carefully, and keep up your water change routine and I would think it should work.

However, I know it has been said many times, but once you smell the gunk collecting in your skimmer cup you'll never want to live without one! Heck I wish they worked on freshwater tanks!

I have a Backpac and an AquaC remora. While there is no question the AquaC is better and needs less maintenance (the squirty jet thing in the AquaC is "maintenance free", and the airline on the Backpac seems to get salt creep up it that I have to clear weekly). That said, the Backpac was about a hundred bucks cheaper and does a good job.