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Finnex Hang-on-back Breeding Box - Refugium Large With Powerhead Review
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If you lot've been considering entering the earth of fish or shrimp convenance, or even raising invertebrates like amphipods and copepods for aquarium nutrient, then yous likely have been reading near refugiums. Refugiums allow for tank water to menstruum through while protecting ill or weak fish, too as fish that are at gamble of predation in the tank, similar fry and shrimplets.
Refugiums are a great selection for quarantine and breeding, and some can fifty-fifty be used as part of a sump setup. It can be overwhelming and disruptive to acquire about refugiums, though, so we've put together reviews of the six all-time hang on back refugiums for your aquarium.
Table of contents
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
The six Best Hang on Dorsum (HOB) Refugiums – Reviews 2022
i. Finnex External Refugium Hang-On Box – Best Overall
2. Marina Hang-On Breeding Box – Best Value
iii. CPR AquaFuge2 Hang-On Refugium – Premium Selection
four. Sudo Starpet Hang-on Breeding Box
five. ISTA IF-648 Hang-On Breeder Box
six. Blue Bounding main REF 15 Hang on Refugium
Buyer's Guide
Conclusion
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
The half dozen All-time Hang on Dorsum (HOB) Refugiums – Reviews 2022
The Finnex External Refugium Hang-on Box is not just a HOB refugium, making it the best overall HOB refugium pick. It likewise includes an adjustable h2o pump and LED light suitable for medium to high lite needs. This kit tin besides be purchased with a light suitable for low lighting needs and without a calorie-free.
This HOB refugium measures 10.25 inches past v.five inches by v inches and is made from sturdy plastic. It includes ii leveling knobs that help prevent spills, although overflow is possible if the outlet becomes clogged. This refugium also includes removable baffles to help further reduce the water menstruum if needed for shrimp, fry, or low-flow fish similar bettas. The included water pump can run up to twoscore gph.
Pros
Made from sturdy plastic
Includes adjustable water pump
Includes medium to loftier requirement LED lite
Can be purchased with low-light LED and no light
Includes leveling knobs
Features removable baffles
Water pump tin can sew together to xl gph
Cons
Tin can overflow if outlet becomes chock-full
Lowest flow may exist too strong if baffles are not used
2. Marina Hang-On Breeding Box – Best Value
The best HOB refugium for the coin is the Marina Hang-on Breeding Box. It holds upwards to ½ gallon of water and includes separators to create up to 3 chambers. The separators feature slats that are but large enough for fry to pass through to become separated from the mother.
This HOB refugium measures 10.7 inches by five.eight inches by 5.7 inches and is made from sturdy, transparent plastic. Information technology tin be used on rimless aquariums with a minimum drinking glass thickness of 5mm. This HOB refugium includes leveling feet and is available in two smaller sizes likewise. It requires the use of an air pump that is not included.
Pros
Holds up to ½ gallon of water
Includes separators to create up to three chambers
Separators feature slats large enough for fry to pass through
Sturdy, transparent plastic
Can exist used on rimless aquariums
Includes leveling feet
Bachelor in three sizes
Cons
Air pump is required but not included
Can overflow if outlet becomes clogged
Requires 5mm thick glass for use on rimless aquariums
3. CPR AquaFuge2 Hang-On Refugium – Premium Pick
For a premium product pick, accept a await at the CPR AquaFuge2 Hang-on Refugium. This production comes in 3 sizes of sturdy acrylic. They include a black acrylic bankroll that does not permit for low-cal to pass through to the principal tank, making this product a great option every bit a refugium for plants.
The largest size option of this HOB refugium measures 25.5 inches past 4.5 inches past 12 inches and holds 4.7 gallons of water. This kit includes a powerhead with all three sizes. This product is fabricated with baffles that allow for plants, animals, and substrate in the refugium to remain undisturbed while the water is not allowed to stagnate.
This product does not include a calorie-free but does include space in a higher place the water line to place one. The baffles in this kit are non removable and it does not accept a chapeau.
Pros
Made from sturdy acrylic
Available in three sizes up to 4.vii gallons
Black backing to prevent light bleed into principal tank
Includes a powerhead
Unique baffles organization does non allow for stagnation
Cons
Premium price
Baffles are not removable
Does not include a light
No chapeau
4. Sudo Starpet Hang-on Breeding Box
The Sudo Starpet Hang-on Breeding Box is a large, sturdy HOB refugium pick. Information technology is nearly identical to the Marina HOB Convenance Box, but at a higher cost.
This HOB refugium does non include an air pump or calorie-free, although an air pump is required for its apply and a light is recommended. This HOB refugium measures ten.7 inches by 5.8 inches by 5.7, is fabricated from sturdy, transparent plastic, and has 2 leveling knobs. It also includes two separators with slats large plenty for fry to pass through only likewise big for adult fish to pass through. The slats tin can be used to turn the box into iii split up chambers.
Pros
Holds up to ½ gallon of water
Includes separators to create up to 3 chambers
Separators feature slats big enough for fry to pass through
Sturdy, transparent plastic
Includes leveling feet
Cons
Air pump is required but non included
Can overflow if outlet becomes clogged
Higher price than other similar products
5. ISTA IF-648 Hang-On Breeder Box
The ISTA IF-648 Hang-on Breeder Box is made from transparent plastic that may get scratched with rough handling. It can fit over an aquarium edge or rim up to 1 inch in width.
This HOB refugium measures 10 inches by five.5 inches by 5.25 inches and holds approximately ½ gallon of h2o. It has two separators with slats that allow for fry to split up from other fish. Yous can make upwards to three chambers with this box. The separators and holders in this product allow for some customization. The box does not include the needed air pump or a calorie-free, just it does have a lid. The pump inlet can be loud and may crave some adjustments to reduce racket.
Pros
Holds ½ gallon of h2o
Removable separators with slats allow fry to laissez passer through
Separators can exist placed in unlike locations allowing for customization of 3 chambers
Includes a lid
Includes leveling feet
Cons
May scratch with rough handling
Can only fit over 1" rim
Air pump is required but not included
Pump inlet may be loud and require adjustments
6. Blue Bounding main REF 15 Hang on Refugium
The Blue Body of water REF 15 Hang on Refugium is a premium-priced HOB refugium fabricated from acrylic. It features a blackness acrylic back to subtract calorie-free leaking into the main tank. It is prone to scratching and pieces may intermission with rough handling. It is also prone to leaking, so you'll demand to watch for this closely.
This product measures 13.25 inches by iv.75 inches past 12 inches and holds a little more than ½ gallon of water. It does include a filter with a bio sponge intake cover. It does not include a light. If this product chips or cracks, it can be repaired with aquarium-safe epoxy or acrylic. It only has one chamber and does non include baffles.
Pros
Holds over ½ gallon of water
Black acrylic backing prevents light haemorrhage into main tank
Includes filter with bio sponge intake cover
Chips and cracks tin be repaired if needed
Cons
Scratches and breaks easily
Decumbent to leaking
Does not include a light
Does non have a chapeau
Single sleeping accommodation without baffles/separators
Heir-apparent's Guide
Things to Consider When Choosing the Correct HOB Refugium For Your Tank:
Your Intended Use: When choosing a HOB refugium for your tank, take into account what you're intending to use it for. Some HOB refugiums are better suited for utilise as a simple breeder box while others are perfect to use as a fully functional sump setup. Some boxes may be meliorate suited for breeding fish as opposed to shrimp, and others are amend suited for growing things similar algae and amphipods.
Your Tank Setup: If your tank is on a strict low-cal cycle and you're using a HOB refugium to grow loftier-light algae, so finding a box with darkened backing volition aid forbid light bleed into your tank. If your tank has cooler water requirements than what you are raising, breeding, or growing in the HOB refugium, then you'll need to look into adding a heater to warm the water for the refugium without heating the tank.
Your Tank's Glass: If you lot have a pocket-sized rimless tank, then a ½ gallon HOB refugium volition likely exist too heavy and will risk not bad or breaking your tank's glass. If you have a small-scale tank but it has a sturdy rim, then it will exist able to handle a heavier box. Knowing the thickness of your tank's glass and the width of its rim, if it has one, volition assist guide you in choosing the perfect HOB refugium for your tank.
HOB Refugium Options
Refugium box vs kit: If you're unsure of how to set upwardly a HOB refugium or just desire something simple, then purchasing a kit may be the best option for you. A kit should come with all or most of the necessary equipment to get your HOB refugium up and running. If you feel confident in your ability to set it up, or you but have actress equipment like air pumps hanging around that need to be used, so purchasing a HOB refugium box without all the bells and whistles should work perfectly for you lot.
Single chamber vs baffles vs separators: Depending on your desired HOB refugium use, you lot may desire a single sleeping accommodation box. If y'all're wanting to utilize a HOB refugium every bit a breeder box for fish that are likely to eat fry, then a box with slotted separators may be perfect for you. Separators can also exist a great selection if you're needing to keep multiple fish out of the main tank, like for quarantine, only they are likely to fight in close quarters. Baffles are type of separator that have varying sizes of slots, with some beingness completely solid, and that can be fix at different heights in the box. Baffles are a great way to straight and filter h2o flow if you're intending to use a HOB refugium for a sump setup. Baffles tin besides help protect sensitive plants and corals from water flow.
Acrylic vs plastic: Technically, acrylic is a plastic, but all plastics are not created equal. Acrylic is a thick, sturdy plastic that is strong only rigid, making it prone to bang-up under too much pressure or with crude treatment. Other types of plastic can exist thinner and weaker, but more flexible than acrylic, meaning they are at a higher risk of breaking over time, simply at a lower chance of keen similar acrylic might. Acrylic is easier to repair than other types of plastics, so a higher-quality HOB refugium will probable exist made from acrylic.
Clear bankroll vs darkened bankroll: How much light do you want passing between the primary tank and the HOB refugium? Some boxes have clear backing, significant that any light you put into the refugium volition bleed into the main tank, and vice versa. If y'all need specific light parameters met within the master tank or the HOB refugium, then a darkened bankroll will probable meet your tank'south needs meliorate considering this backing allows y'all to go on separate lighting for your main tank and your HOB refugium.
Lid vs no chapeau: HOB refugiums tin come with a hat, without a lid, or with a chapeau that tin can be purchased separately. This will all be up to your needs for your HOB refugium. A box without a lid is going to accept more evaporation than a box with a hat. A box with a lid will have better temperature regulation than a box without a lid. Some people adopt a HOB refugium without a chapeau for ease of access for maintenance, cleaning, and getting to plants or animals inside if needed. Information technology'due south a practiced idea to take your household into account when choosing whether or not y'all want a HOB refugium with a lid. Minor children may be decumbent to putting their hands into a box without a lid. Some pets may exist prone to attempting to drink from a box without a hat, or even attempting to grab animals within.
Sizes: The size of the HOB refugium you get will depend entirely on your preference, your tank, and your intended usage. The glass and rim of your tank both need to be able to support the weight of whatever HOB items you put on them. If you are wanting to create a sump refugium setup, then you volition likely need a large HOB refugium. If you are needing a temporary holding surface area for acclimating new fish to the tank or for protecting sick fish, then a smaller HOB refugium may run into your needs. HOB refugiums comes in a broad range of sizes, and then yous have enough of options to meet your needs.
When to Use a HOB Refugium
When to Use a Quarantine/Secondary Tank
Acclimating new fish and invertebrates that are coming from quarantine
When commencement bringing new fish and invertebrates home
Breeding specific colors or types of shrimp
When attempting to enhance or breed shrimp with predatory fish in the main tank
Protecting weak or non-contagious sick fish or invertebrates or protecting sensitive plants
While treating fish or invertebrates for a contagious illness
Protecting fry from cannibalism or predation in the tank
Raising large numbers of fry or shrimplets
Growing chaeto, amphipods, copepods, or other nutrient sources
Growing big amounts of basis cover plants, like mosses, before adding to the primary tank
Decision
If y'all know exactly what you want a HOB refugium for, then these reviews should help you counterbalance the pros and cons of different products to selection what will all-time meet your needs. If you aren't sure what you're needing, employ these reviews to identify what you're hoping to attain with your HOB refugium and and then pick a product from there.
The Finnex External Refugium Hang-on Box is the best overall HOB refugium choice because it's a high-quality product that includes everything you need to become a HOB refugium upwardly and running. The CPR Aquafuge2 Hang-on Refugium is the peak premium selection considering information technology's fabricated from loftier-quality materials and includes a fully functional pump setup. For the best value, the Marina Hang-on Convenance Box is the superlative pick, because information technology's loftier-quality, cost-effective, and an especially expert selection if you already take a pump and light at home.
Picking a HOB refugium is overwhelming and learning everything at that place is to know nigh getting a HOB refugium working can be confusing, so use this list of products to help brand choosing a product easier so you tin can focus on how you want to set it upwardly to work best for your tank.
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