point of refugium?
- Thread starter Kaiser24
- Start date
LiquidCache
New member
Search in the forum "New to the Hobby" and you should find all the info you could ever want or need.
CrazyEyes
New member
Most people use refugiums to grow different types of algae like cheato, marco etc. By doing this the algae in the refugium will use up the nutrients in the water therefore keeping the algae in the algae in the main display under control. Others also use refugiums in order to harvest pods i.e copepods and amphipods to feed certain fish. I myself am against refugiums as they need to be a good size in order to offer any nutrient export. With that said, alot of people use them with good success.
Ali :D
New member
In a nut shell, on a scale like 99% of hobbyists, it does very little other than help keep your pod population up. Its worth having a small section housing some Chaetomorpha macro algae for pod growth. If it were to be used effectively as denitrification it would need to be many times the size of your display.
I do however like refugiums and will continue to run them in my tanks as they provide basically a second display for even more life to flourish. But, don't be fooled into thinking they will be effective as filtration.
I do however like refugiums and will continue to run them in my tanks as they provide basically a second display for even more life to flourish. But, don't be fooled into thinking they will be effective as filtration.
St Pete John
New member
Mine is mainly for pods but i also keep the first chamber empty to act as a "settling" area making it easier to siphon out the nasty.
Can also segregate aggressive fish in there until you get them a new home.
Can also segregate aggressive fish in there until you get them a new home.
Webmanny
Active member
I ran an HOB refugium for about 4 months on my 36G tank and it didn't make any difference on the GHA. I actually had more algae in my display tank than before. I still don't get the purpose of it, other than more stuff to clean.
I have to agree with some of the guys here. It is worthless to run one unless it is a huge tank full of macro algae. As for the PODS population, I would suggest a DIY PODS culture bottle out of a two litter bottle with an air stone and an LED light.
I have to agree with some of the guys here. It is worthless to run one unless it is a huge tank full of macro algae. As for the PODS population, I would suggest a DIY PODS culture bottle out of a two litter bottle with an air stone and an LED light.
LiquidCache
New member
What about just a ball of chaeto and some live rock? Count as a refugium?
reepher315
Humble Student
I would think any chamber separate from the sump with intentional algae would be considered a fuge. I use mine just for copepod reproduction. If the cheato sucks up the nitrates awesome. If not Ill get em with a water change.
aquaticartist
New member
Check out this monster of refugium in this sump. I like the idea of the separate valve to regulate water flow through the refugium.
ChadRaay86
New member
Its never a bad idea to plan a small section that can double as a refugium/growout/naughty fish area. I use mine in conjunction with a small amount of bio-pellets, socks, and carbon as sort of a multifaceted effort to combat all nutrients. But, in order to use it as a "stop all" you'd need to do a stock tank (100-300+ gallons) to really get all of your nutrients.
aguila88psi
Zoa Addict
Main purpose for having a refugium is to prevent pH fluctuations from day and night
Yes, a refugium will help with fluctuating pH. However, gas exchange by your skimmer, overflow and good surface agitation would be the most effective way to blow off CO2.
To the OP, if you think you'll enjoy growing macro algae then go for it. However, here are some things to consider.
As mentioned it can help with pH fluctuations from day and night. But, don't fall in the trap of being too concerned with pH. Yes, it's important, but I believe many people put too much emphasis on it and as long as you're within a good range 7.8-8.3 you'll be fine. When I was learning early on I felt like everyone made such a huge deal about pH when in fact Alkalinity is probably the most important perameter. And pH is directly tied to Alkalinity. Read this.
Macro algae can also be a detriment to your tank. Certain algae can go sexual and over run your display. Some algae also produces coral killing chemicals. Read this
In terms of nutrient export, a refugium is actually counterproductive. Aside from the other benefits of a sump, it's main purpose is for nutrient export. Where we send our water to get cleaned. So to setup an area with algae, sand and live rock, you are providing a place for detritus to accumulate and produce ammonia, nitrites and ultimately nitrates. Your sump should be the cleanest place in the system.
As for pod production, they produce waste also. So here again you're creating an area for more detritus to accumulate and add nutrients to the water. As mentioned a simple seperate pod culture would be the most effective way. Pods like dirty green water, so give it to them. But remember they produce waste and water changes will be necessary.
One other thing to consider is you are making a commitment to your tank and that commitment is going to require a lot of time. A refugium will consume more time. Time that you may not always have. So my advice is to keep things simple. Set up the system in such a way that makes maintenance very easy for you. If it's not easy then you're less likely to do it.
To the OP, if you think you'll enjoy growing macro algae then go for it. However, here are some things to consider.
As mentioned it can help with pH fluctuations from day and night. But, don't fall in the trap of being too concerned with pH. Yes, it's important, but I believe many people put too much emphasis on it and as long as you're within a good range 7.8-8.3 you'll be fine. When I was learning early on I felt like everyone made such a huge deal about pH when in fact Alkalinity is probably the most important perameter. And pH is directly tied to Alkalinity. Read this.
Macro algae can also be a detriment to your tank. Certain algae can go sexual and over run your display. Some algae also produces coral killing chemicals. Read this
In terms of nutrient export, a refugium is actually counterproductive. Aside from the other benefits of a sump, it's main purpose is for nutrient export. Where we send our water to get cleaned. So to setup an area with algae, sand and live rock, you are providing a place for detritus to accumulate and produce ammonia, nitrites and ultimately nitrates. Your sump should be the cleanest place in the system.
As for pod production, they produce waste also. So here again you're creating an area for more detritus to accumulate and add nutrients to the water. As mentioned a simple seperate pod culture would be the most effective way. Pods like dirty green water, so give it to them. But remember they produce waste and water changes will be necessary.
One other thing to consider is you are making a commitment to your tank and that commitment is going to require a lot of time. A refugium will consume more time. Time that you may not always have. So my advice is to keep things simple. Set up the system in such a way that makes maintenance very easy for you. If it's not easy then you're less likely to do it.
