Help needed!!

**Kaymanager** · 03-06-2010, 03:50 PM

I am looking for a hang on back skimmer and have been looking and looking and have found more and more without alot of headway into the area of finding a good one. I don't wanna spend 400+ on one but I don't wanna cheap out on this essential part of the system either. So I am reaching out to tr for yet another piec of advise on a good hob skimmer and then entail what would be the best pump option to run it with? I have looked and the aqua c, eshopps, coralife super skimmer, octopus has a hob style, just to name a few. So please feel free to laugh at the overwhelmed rookie and feel free to try(keyword there) and set him in the right direction

**CarmieJo** · 03-06-2010, 06:20 PM

I haven't used a HOB skimmer so I can't give you a recommendation but I think the Deltec's are highly rated too.

**Kaymanager** · 03-06-2010, 08:22 PM

Second questionto follow my already million others. If I did a hang on the back style refugium can I drop my hob filter system? I went with a 4.5 to 5 inch dsb after i relocated the tank and was just curious peoples thoughts on this. I wanna add another koralia pump into the tank already and was curious if I could just drop the hob filter altogether.

**CarmieJo** · 03-06-2010, 11:37 PM

With adequate sand and rock you don't need the HOB filter. It would be a good idea to add a Koralia.

**Kaymanager** · 03-07-2010, 01:28 AM

What would be defined as enough sand and rock? So far I have about 40 lbs of ls and 25 lbs of lr and plan on adding more rock too.

**CarmieJo** · 03-07-2010, 04:38 PM

1-1.5 lbs of rock per gallon of water. Sand is a little harder, people are successful with a shallow sand bed <1.5", seep sand bed >4" and no sand at all.

**Kaymanager** · 03-07-2010, 05:26 PM

So really more dependent on the lr than the sand itself? So up my lbs of lr to 50 or so and should be able to drop my hob filter is what I am getting from this right? Thanks for your help carmie

**CarmieJo** · 03-07-2010, 06:32 PM

Yes, you should be fine without the HOB.

V · 03-07-2010, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kaymanager

So really more dependent on the lr than the sand itself? So up my lbs of lr to 50 or so and should be able to drop my hob filter is what I am getting from this right? Thanks for your help carmie

are you asking from your specific case bud? as a general rule, sand has more potential surface area than rock. however both your rock & sand do the exact same thing, convert nutrients in the water column via specific bacteria into a less toxic form. sand takes the lead when converting nitrates because of this surface area rule, however as an example if your running a BB tank, then that option is no longer available. so you have to assess how else your going to deal with elevated levels. all logical stuff really

**Kaymanager** · 03-08-2010, 12:35 AM

v i am sorry but i am lost by your reply. i am asking about my own setup. i am wanting to drop my hob filter and do maybe a hob refuge. dont have the space to upgrade right now to a drilled tank is why everything is hob. but i am lost as to what a bb tank is. so please break down into rookie language so as my overwhelmed brain can comprehend. i ask alot of questions and i am sorry but i do GREATLY appreciate everyones advise and help. so v what do you think i should do in order to drop my hob filter?