HOB Refugium flow rate?

[AllenIsbell]

I plan on adding a HOB refugium to my 20 gallon soon-to-be reef. I'm not sure if I will be using either a 4" DSB or Miracle Mud for substrate. I have heard that the lower the flow for a refugium--the better.

Soooo.... The CPR is overpriced as heck.

I was thinking about giving the Finnex HOB fuge a try since it comes with a LED fixuture. It comes with either an air pump that offers right under 5gph or a water pump that offers 40gph.

Personally, I'd like to use an air pump since it won't clutter the tank. I've already got a Maxi Jet 1200 in there for the AquaC Remora, and that's already an eye sore.

Can anyone clear up this flow rate ignorance that I have?

I posted this on a local forum about a week ago. Lots of great people on there who are very smart and have amazing tanks. Not one person replied. IRONY?

Thanks,
Allen

P.S. The centered text is making my brain go through a mini-cycle.

[Cliff]

I would suggest a even easier approach than what you are considering. Leave the HOB bare bottom and fill it with cheato and keep the flow open as strong as you can. With a really good light, that would process more nitrates and phosphates than a DSB would and be a lot easier to maintain over the long run. This can also help to add a little more flow to the tank

[Cliff]

Sorry, forgot the link. Below is what I was thinking about, something along these lines

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...=how+to+DIY+an

[Drumachine09]

I second the high flow, bare bottom, with Cheato suggestion. Even if you did have a deep sandbed, depending on the surface area, you really wouldn't benefit from it as much as a big ole clump of cheato. Stuff is like magic.

[AllenIsbell]

Sounds good, guys. I will read into that link, Cliff. I was hoping to not have another pump in my tank! Haha, oh well. It's hard to balance function and form without a sump!