Display Tank and Refugium Inhabitants

cmi6 · Feb 18, 2015

Can a refugium be used basically as a second display tank if I have animals that aren't compatible in lighting/water flow? I'm looking to set up a seahorse tank but think it'd be neat to have a couple other things that aren't going to work with them.

candcreef · Feb 18, 2015

Absolutely....as long as you have adequate lighting above your refugium....I house 3 maxima clams in my refugium because my Spanish hogfish has an appetite for them! Good luck and what are your ideas for the refugium?

Conan

cmi6 · Feb 19, 2015

You know, that's a good question. I'm having a hard time deciding. I really like a lot of the predators such as lions, anglers, eels, mantis shrimp. But I've also seen some absolutely gorgeous clams. I've also considered just a pair of clowns. Since they share water, should I assume the stock in the display tank and the stock in the refugium should share the same temperature requirements?

redfishbluefish · Feb 19, 2015

I purposely built my stand with a panel missing in the door right where the refugium is located:

Here is a poor picture in use....Sorry for the quality....lights were out in the refugium....but you get the idea:

Wiz · Feb 19, 2015

I put dwarf seahorses in my fuge. They slowly died. One bu one. After research I found that seahorses are strongly recommended to be housed alone. Said they are extremly dirty and delicate and will foul a reef. Also said they require lower temps as they are prone to bacterial infection which is prevelent at reef temps. The dwarfs come from temps that match my reef so I tried. There tiny. How dirty can they be. I started with 8. Hatched and spot fed brine twice daily religously. They ate and seemed well for a week. Then one by one there gills turned black and they died. :-( the lastt ons lasting about a month. The last 2 had a baby in week 3. I git all excited. Thought I would have them repopulate. But no. It died in 2 days. Then one parent. And a week later the last. I would research horses really really well first. My conditions were perfect for the dwarfs. It just didn't work.