Refugium - worth the effort?

[Meaty24]

I am relatively new to the reef world. I know a lot of people use a refugium. I have 185 with the sump underneath the tank and no room between the back of the tank and the wall for anything to hang behind, nor can do I want to put anything on the side of the tank.

Is it worth hooking up a refigum under the tank attached to the sump? I assume it needs a light too, with a timer. What benefits will I get? Will I see a substantial difference in my tank? If I don't do it, will my tank suffer?

I really would appreciate your advice.

 

[demonsp]

Its one of the best add ons.Great for pod population and nitrate and phosphate removal and for QT'ing unknown critters. Your tank can run fine wothout it though.

 

[erics3000]

Mine helped my ph and helped with nitates and a little more water volume is a plus incase of a disaster. I took mine down to put a bigger one and I already noticed my ph is up. I also think the reverse lighting works too. You have your fuge lights come on when your tanks lights are off. This helps..

A lot of people have succes with out them too. it is just a extra tool. Your equipment and husbandry will also play a big factor.

 

[PaulieWalnuts]

i added one on my 75...and love it, great place to watch new stuff and helps keep the water stable.

 

[Shawn D]

They are very interesting, but I thought adding a skimmer helped more. I ran with just a fuge for 8 months then added a skimmer and noticed better water clarity and better coloration IMO

 

[PaulieWalnuts]

with the 2 together your unstoppable in IMO

 

[TikiDan]

Do your display as your refugium!!! takes up less space

Here is mine

 

[ludnix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12590263#post12590263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TikiDan
Do your display as your refugium!!! takes up less space

Here is mine

You could hardly call it a refugium if you have corals in it though, let alone fish.

 

[PaulieWalnuts]

yeah but it has the grass which absorbs the nitrates and phosphates and the sand. And some people put inverts in there refuge and others put xiena(can't spell) in there so they don't spread all over the tank--they are great for nutrient export so I'd say you could call it and in tank refuge. Not the typical but calling hardly is a bit rude. also i have seen a number over people put clowns in among there sea grass refuge and also small gobys to keep the refuge floor clean.

 

[TikiDan]

its a fairly new setup, only about 3 months old
As of now it houses 7 seahorses and a mandarin dragonette. By having the grass in the display tank, it make it easier for the pods and mysids to hide and breed keeping the tenants fat and happy.

I am just trying to say, your refugium doesn't have to hide under your tank in the stand.

In 6 months time it will be full of zoos, yumas, and other softies. And the seagrass will fill in the whole sand bed and will look awesome!

 

[PaulieWalnuts]

sounds pretty cool

 

[str8clownr]

without a doubt put a refugium in your tank setup, it will do wonders

 

[sjj80]

I'm pro fuge, mine helps keep phosphate and nitrate in check and it's a safe haven for pods to reproduce which helps feed fish and corals. I leave my fuge lights on 24/7 to keep the macroalgae from going sexual and fouling the water, instead of the reverse daylight schedule.

 

[Nano Chris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12589989#post12589989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
Its one of the best add ons.Great for pod population and nitrate and phosphate removal and for QT'ing unknown critters. Your tank can run fine wothout it though.

Also helps feed ur tank (live food is even better for ur tank), and than you can have a mandarin (depending on the size of the tank.)

 

[axia55]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12590529#post12590529 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TikiDan
its a fairly new setup, only about 3 months old
As of now it houses 7 seahorses and a mandarin dragonette. By having the grass in the display tank, it make it easier for the pods and mysids to hide and breed keeping the tenants fat and happy.

I am just trying to say, your refugium doesn't have to hide under your tank in the stand.

In 6 months time it will be full of zoos, yumas, and other softies. And the seagrass will fill in the whole sand bed and will look awesome!

The seagrass looks very nice, where did you buy it?

 

[matthewscars]

Does the grass take too much out of the sand? More over, do you need to re-seed the sand for the grass to stay healthy every X months?

 

[EllieSuz]

Do you have room in your sump to keep Chaeto? I keep mine in the center compartment of the sump with some rock rubble and a couple of snails and it works great.