A reFugIuM ?

[1BadHawk]

Whats the general purpose of a refugium? Ive had my tank up for nearly 5 years and never had one. Im wondering if Im missing out on something.

[Satchmo]

It basically allows pods and other critters to reproduce free from predators. Fuges are usually also stuffed with macroalgae, providing nutrient export.

[demon_surfer]

how would you set a refugium up? would it be in the sump or something seperate?:confused:

[Satchmo]

Ideally, it's a separate unit. Most sumps' flow rates are too high for a fuge. A gentle flow is better. Although there are a lot of folks who use baffles and what not to sort of section off a part of their sump. Put a light over it, and it becomes a fuge. People have even used HOB filters to make refugiums. I guess the sky's the limit for the creative (and handy).

[demon_surfer]

so you would get a small pump and run it from your sump to the refug and then pump the water back?

[Satchmo]

Yeah that would work. Only problem is you're going to loose a degree of critters as they get pureed in the return pump. One of the advantages to a fuge is providing an endless supply of natural food to the display (pods, worms, ministars, etc.). In a perfect world, the fuge would sit above the main display. Water would be pumped into the refugium and returned to the tank via gravity, saving all those critters from the wrath of the impeller.

If this isn't possible, you can do it the way you suggest. You'll still get the benefits of nutrient export and increased plankton that a refugium provides.

[demon_surfer]

aahhh ok now i gotcha... yor right pumping the water back in would kinda defeat the purpose...hmm maybe if you use like a gravel sucker type effect to get back into the main water system? or would the flow be to weak to pick up the critters?

[Satchmo]

No, that would work fine. You could use a siphon tube to return the water, or have the fuge positioned so that it overflows back into the display (like some HOB refugiums).

It's not just the critters you can see that will be benefiting your tank. Many of them reproduce via free-swimming larvae (zooplankton) that corals and other filter feeders will love.

[demon_surfer]

-->feels his brain grow<-----

[demon_surfer]

what would you put in the refugium? ive heard people talking about putting cucumbers in there? do you just put some live rock in there and let it grow out? or get some crittter cultures or something?

[Satchmo]

Usually a sand bed, some LR, and macroalgae. You'll get enough critters from the LR and macro. They're free from predation in a fuge, so they'll have no trouble reaching good populations.

[demon_surfer]

do you ever need to replace the live rock or anything to restimulate the population or should they breed enough to stay in there?? and would you need to feed them or would they take care of themselves?

[Satchmo]

Nope, just let her rip. Other than pruning/pulling out overgrowing macro, it's pretty self-sufficient.

One thing I didn't mention... it's a good idea to get your macro from several different reefers. Tons of fauna comes with macro, and this will ensure a nice and diverse fuge.

[demon_surfer]

even with a fully stocked refugium you would need to supplement the food you put into the main aquarium right?

and i know this isnt exactly the right forum but can a refugium be made for a freshwater setup too? or would it not work the same way?

[Satchmo]

No, you don't have to. Enough detritus and stuff will be swept into the fuge from the main system. It'll be more than enough for those critters to stay happy.

For FW? You really don't have the diversity of microfauna in FW to make it worth it. I suppose you could have a separate unit filled with plants for nutrient export, but if you're going to go through that trouble, just make a planted tank. FW plants are too beautiful to squirrel away out of sight.

[cich-o]

I had a planted sump for my FW tanks. I could never keep my nitrates below20 so I gotsome of those apon. bulbs, very cheap and hardy. As satchmo said it works for nutrient export, I don't think the same idea applies to FW concerning food supply.