Dual HOB Refugium Setup Hang on Back Filtration Saltwater Coral Reef Aquarium

This videos is about the setup of my 2 Hang on Back (HOB) Refugiums. If you have watched my other videos, you know I am a canister filter guy with my reef tanks, which is why I set up 2 HOB Refugiums.

2 HOB Refugium Setups:
HOB 1 - Macroalgae
HOB 2 - Canister Filter Setup

HOB 1 Setup
This one is setup like a Refugium.
Chaetomorpha
Innovative Marine ChaetoMax Refugium LED Light (18 Watt)

HOB 1 gives me all the benefits macroalgae, such as:
Natural filtration
Absorbs Nitrates and Phosphates
Provides a habitat for Copepods and Amphipods
Reduces the risk of nuisance algae outbreaks
Helps stabilize PH if setup properly

The biggest benefit by far of having Chaetomorpha as part of your reef tank is the assist to PH balancing.

How does it help balance PH?
During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is consumed, which helps stabilize PH. So, during the day when you run the light on your display, photosynthesis occurs, which helps stabilize PH. At night, when the lights are off, if no photosynthesis occurs, PH will drop, causing large PH swings in your tank on a daily basis.
If you have macroalgae in a Refugium, doesn’t have to be Chaetomorpha, and you run your light on the Refugium opposite of your main tank, you have photosynthesis happening during all hours of the day, helping to consistently stabilize PH all hours of the day.

My Setup:
Chaetomorpha
Light runs opposite hours of display tank light
Refugium light runs 10 hours a day

Total photosynthesis time in my tank is 22 hours a day:
Main display 12 hours
Then 1 hour complete out
10 hours Refugium
Then 1 hour complete out


HOB 2 Setup
This one is set up like a canister filter
20 / 35 / 50 PPI
Ceramic media
Chemi-Pure Elite
Purigen x 2
ROWA-Phos
Carbon

I also have a Powerhead installed inside HOB 2 to increase circulation through the media.

Media Maintenance Frequency
Filter Pads - 6 Month Life
each size spaced 2 months apart
Ceramic Media - 6 Month Life
1/2 changed every 3 months
Chemi-Pure Elite - 3 Month Life
Purigen - 2 Month Life
change more frequent if product turn dark brown
ROWA-Phos - every 2 Months
Carbon - Every 4 Weeks

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