HOB filters

[saltbubbles]

I kinda understand what we use sumps for(better oxygenation, more water volume,more beneficial bacteria, a place for pods to hang out, a place to confine gorilla crabs lol, ect.), but does anyone keep fish with a HOB filter? I'm setting up a 25ish gal in my bedroom (seems like the cycle is complete) but it came with one of those filters. The plans for it are either a pair of clowns and eventually a nem or a FOWLR and well possibly try some green star polyps. How do they work what care should be taken with them. I tried to find something to read on those and nothing came up. Thank you guys for your help.

 

[frankenbakon]

I had a 27g cube with ac70 for 3 yrs no problems with weekly wcs

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

I've had a 27 gallon setup for a year and a half. I'm currently in the process of rinsing the filters and re-using them again. Setups can be pricey when purchasing new filter pads everytime. The filter pads come with a small amount of carbon. I just use a filter bag with tie-string and fill it with Chemi-Pure Elite to replace the re-used filters, since the limited carbon in a new filter is used up upon first usuage.

Wannabee

 

[mvm]

IMO a skimmer is more important on a tank that size than a HOB filter. It doesn't hurt, but can trap nutrients if not maintained. A skimmer on the other hand, will remove them. As far as biological filtration, your live rock alone can handle it. Honestly, you'd be fine without either if you did weekly water changes.

 

[rdnelson]

mvm;832591 wrote: imo a skimmer is more important on a tank that size than a hob filter. It doesn't hurt, but can trap nutrients if not maintained. A skimmer on the other hand, will remove them. As far as biological filtration, your live rock alone can handle it. Honestly, you'd be fine without either if you did weekly water changes.

+1

 

[joseayes]

I gave them a try before, I had one on my sump, I used to had low level in the water to be able to let the sump fill when a power outage happens, the problem start when the intake of the HOB filter couldn't have enough suction to keep the water running through the filter and runing the impeller dry, then the water splashing in the front was noisy for me, even having the right water level for the filter, water splashes always

 

[frantz]

I run my tank with HOB as extra water flow/extra carbon. I stopped buying the pads as well and just make my own. Even if you just use a sponge it works, you just want to clean out the sponges before the poop starts to rot.

 

[jimmystephens]

I have one on my 40b and on my 30 cube. Work great. +1 on getting a good hob skimmer i have the remora c. And it kicks butt (i had it on my 75 reef for a year) u can find one used on here or craigslist for cheap

 

[nickg]

I have a 29 FOWLR on a rock wall. I went with a canister and a HOB Skimmer. This is another good option. It has worked well for me.

 

[saltbubbles]

In other words I still need the skimmer. Might as well go with a small sump and forget the HOB filter, right?

 

[nickg]

If you have the room, a sump system is ALWAYS better. IMO. Plus you get that much more water volume which makes a system more stable.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Why not use something like the CPR unit that incorporates both...a skimmer and a filter section. I had one and it worked awesome!

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

I'm running 2 HOB filters on my 55g QT. I just pack them full of filter floss and change about every week and a half.

Frantz;832794 wrote: I run my tank with HOB as extra water flow/extra carbon. I stopped buying the pads as well and just make my own. Even if you just use a sponge it works, you just want to clean out the sponges before the poop starts to rot.

I do this as well on my DT (for now). Once my sump and plumbing are complete, the HOB will either be tossed, or moved to the sump just to run carbon. It does, however do a good job of pushing skimmate over to my HOB skimmer for now in the DT. It also provides surface agitation for oxygenation, I guess...

If used correctly, they can help, but can in no means replace a skimmer...

Best of luck!!!

 

[brandonmason]

I have a 15 gallon column tank with a hob and leds for softies, I have 2 sea horses a firefish and diamond goby in the tank... I do weekly water changes on the tank and check water quality religiously... I am not running a skimmer and everything is going great thus far...