refuge tank
- Thread starter jwilso
- Start date
can some one tell me that a refuge tank is and what is it used for
ChrisB
New member
A refugium(refuge, fuge) is a separate tank that houses a sand bed and macro algae for the purpose of raising pods and other small critters by providing a predator free environment for them to thrive. These critter's numerous offspring are then used to feed a large variety of animals in the display tank.
A dual purpose for the fuge is to provide a means for nutrient export. The macro algae(plants) take in excess nutrients as food and then grow. The "aquarist" then removes(harvests) a large portion of the macro algae therefore removing unwanted nitrates from the environment.
Not all fuges are built the same or contain the same features. Some don't have any sand, but most will have macros. The pods(bugs, crustaceans, etc) are a mainstay for some fish and you can also raise feeder fish, shrimp in there also.
A dual purpose for the fuge is to provide a means for nutrient export. The macro algae(plants) take in excess nutrients as food and then grow. The "aquarist" then removes(harvests) a large portion of the macro algae therefore removing unwanted nitrates from the environment.
Not all fuges are built the same or contain the same features. Some don't have any sand, but most will have macros. The pods(bugs, crustaceans, etc) are a mainstay for some fish and you can also raise feeder fish, shrimp in there also.
ChrisB
New member
I see you are just getting started and you are starting BIG!
The bigger the better IMO.
One other thought about fuges:
If you have the room, a fuge that is mounted higher than the display tank would be ideal although not crucial.
The water would flow by gravity out of the display and into a sump and then the return flow from the sump would be split between the display and the fuge depending on how much flow you wanted in your fuge. This allows the critters to be caught up in the gravity fed flow back to the display and less likely to be shredded by a return pump.
The bigger the better IMO.
One other thought about fuges:
If you have the room, a fuge that is mounted higher than the display tank would be ideal although not crucial.
The water would flow by gravity out of the display and into a sump and then the return flow from the sump would be split between the display and the fuge depending on how much flow you wanted in your fuge. This allows the critters to be caught up in the gravity fed flow back to the display and less likely to be shredded by a return pump.
