Aquaclear HOB for water polishing, Nitrate factory?

[Buddyboy]

Looking forward to any updates Nick! I'm curious as to how your 20G sump/fuge works out for you. Not sure if it's big enough to get the job done, or if I should just go with a bigger tank, bigger sump/fuge and a bigger skimmer. I was thinking about a 40G breeder for the display tank. Nice and manageable. In any case, good luck with your setup!

[Doug]

I used my 500 AC on my last tank. Superb filter and great flow but the sponge filter is a pain to clean. It does collect detritus though. Man, I can rinse it forever. I like the Regent type power filter, with the throw away vertical pads for mech. filtration, just because they are easy to pull out and clean.

As with any though, the sponge type, pads or the floss in a sump, regular disposal and/or cleaning is needed or the detrius is still in the system.

[fishface]

when i had my 25g tank i had an AC500 modded into a refugium but instead of sponge block or filter floss, i just grew super dense chaeto. it worked as both to export nitrates as well as to polish the water mechanically.

[andsoitgoes]

Darryl, that is a BRILLIANT idea. Heaven only knows why I hadn't thought about that, I'm going to do that up now to shove in my sump

Okay - now you've gotten a fire under my butt, Bud - I'll post my setup now :P

[fishface]

when i had my 25g tank i had an AC500 modded into a refugium but instead of sponge block or filter floss, i just grew super dense chaeto. it worked as both to export nitrates as well as to polish the water mechanically, never did i ever have a nitrate issue.