Which way to go?

[azcummins]

I've got a 55 gal FOWL tank that eventually make a reef tank, and I'm looking to add a HOB refugium, but I'm torn between 2 options:

Option #1
- HOB refugium only, no build in skimmer
- get a Tunze skimmer that sits in the tank
- total cost ~$400
- Pro : I've had good results with my Tunze skimmer in my 20 gal tank and its way better to spend extra $ on something that works than having a cheap hunk of junk.
- Con: cost and I'd have a skimmer in the tank in addition to a HOB refugium
- Link for just refugium

Option #2
- HOB refugium with build-in skimmer
- total cost $289
- Pro: Cheaper. Cleaner design since it would be all-in-one.
- Con: I can't find any history of this skimmer setup and it could be a hunk of junk, which means I'd then go buy the Tunze skimmer and have a worthless piece of the refugium.
- link to suggested refugium and skimmer


Anyone have any history with the all-in-one refugium or think I should go a certain direction over the other?

 

[alcohologist]

i'd go for the first option. you already like the tunze skimmer. the one that's integrated into the fuge system doesn't look too effective to me, esp for a 55gal.

 

[BIGgourami]