Using a DIY refugium tutorial I found, I crafted a homemade, hang-on refugium for my ten gallon nano reef tank using the AquaClear 70 power filter.  I decided to do this for two reasons: (1) to have refuge for copepods to breed with the final result being to feed a mandarin, and (2) filtration.

Parts & Supplies Needed: AquaClear 70 Power Filter, an appropriate fluorescent blub w/ clip-on fixture or similar, razor, scissors, macroalgae (chaetomorpha), piece of glass (optional)

To light the unit, I use a 50/50 10 watt compact fluorescent blub that plugs into a regular light socket.  I am considering getting a higher voltage grow lamp from Home Depot or Lowes to see if I can improve the current situation.  The light is mounted using a clip-on fixture I bought for $11 dollars.  Because I use reverse lighting (i.e. when my tank lights are off, the refugium light is on, and vice versa), I am able to point the light on my tank to add a little extra light for the anemone and coral.

I won’t go into great detail on exactly what I did to create this because there is a link to the actual tutorial at the bottom of this post.  Basically, you cut the basket into three parts (bottom + two sides).  The bottom is used to prevent the macroalgae and refugium inhabitants from flowing into the tank.  One side of the basket is used to divide the macroalgae from the biological filter or whatever else you decide to put in there, and the other side may be used to divide it further.

HOB refugium tutorial for pico and nano reef tanks