Refugium

[USMA36]

While researching for my 90 gallon setup I have read a lot of conflicting opinions on whether or not to keep a refugium. Some are down right adamantly against them. My trigger 36 sump has a section built in for one. A lot of the more recent stuff I have been reading says that there is no real benefit, most are to small for effective nutrient reduction, and they end up becoming detritus traps. I would like something as a safe haven for copepods, since I eventually want a mandarin, but that's a long way off and it seems like a waste of space just for that. What are your thoughts? If I decide not to do one what would be good in its place?

 

[Slot]

While researching for my 90 gallon setup I have read a lot of conflicting opinions on whether or not to keep a refugium. Some are down right adamantly against them. My trigger 36 sump has a section built in for one. A lot of the more recent stuff I have been reading says that there is no real benefit, most are to small for effective nutrient reduction, and they end up becoming detritus traps. I would like something as a safe haven for copepods, since I eventually want a mandarin, but that's a long way off and it seems like a waste of space just for that. What are your thoughts? If I decide not to do one what would be good in its place?

They have small hang on back refugiums, that just hang on your tank. I think im gonna go with one of them for copepods and algae

 

[FishGuyBri]

I'm keeping a fuge because I love the way they look. After reviewing this for months before I set mine up, I figure just like anything else you have to keep it up. Anything is a detritus trap if you don't care for it properly. I have a ph problem, so I will see how it affects it. Bottom line is those who love it have had successes with it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

more recent stuff I have been reading says that there is no real benefit, most are to small for effective nutrient reduction,

put some chato in and try it out. worst case remove it.

 

[theblackpearl]

Pros - Stabilizes PH, nitrate/phosphate export, home for copepods, home for a mangrove tree

Cons - if you dont take care of it (like your display tank) it isnt gonna do you any good

 

[USMA36]

Maybe I'll try it out without adding mud. I'll add rock and chaeto and see how it goes. Otherwise it'll just be a big empty section in my sump.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

out without adding mud.

yea, that's a specific method for sure. avoid rubble imo too.
If you like it then get crazy and try other stuff.

 

[bubbaque]

I love growing chaeto. The light you use determines how effecient the chaeto will be. I use a mars hydro from Amazon for $90 and it sucks the nitrate out of the system. If I keep the light on for 24 hrs a couple days in a row my nitrates go from 5ppm to 0. I also love watching the pods crawl around in the fudge.

My first light was a hang on homedepot one and it doesn't compare.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I love growing chaeto. The light you use determines how effecient the chaeto will be. I use a mars hydro from Amazon for $90 and it sucks the nitrate out of the system. If I keep the light on for 24 hrs a couple days in a row my nitrates go from 5ppm to 0. I also love watching the pods crawl around in the fudge.

My first light was a hang on homedepot one and it doesn't compare.

you haven't gone for the Dragons tongue yet?
Yea refugium addict here....

 

[bubbaque]

you haven't gone for the Dragons tongue yet?
Yea refugium addict here....

I would love to try it but I'm afraid to buy it from my LFS. When I first wanted to buy chaeto I went and bought it from the LFS and it had TONS of asterina starfish in it, so I just threw it in the garbage. I had to get it from someone else. I'm afraid to add any other macro now,

 

[Hyde2406]

I have had refugiums for years I just bought a Santa Monica up flow scrubber about 6 months ago and I'm in love my ph is balancing it self, all I do is clean it out every week, the hardest part is trying to save the pods, they use it as a breeding ground, my favorite piece of equipment next to my skimmer. It was 3 months before anything grew in it I was very skeptical at first but I emailed and they asked for my parameters and because I was trying to pull the phosphate from old rocks and didn't have anything pushing nutrients it would take a while and just to keep cleaning it weekly. I also run a refugium my scrubber sits in the back behind my algae I bought off here.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm afraid to add any other macro now,

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Look it up too. Easy to clean. also a powerhead in a bucket of tank water and a clip on light is macro qt. No one should be Macro deficient!

 

[alex.mccann99]

Refugium is great for growing copepods if you plan on having a Mandarin or Wrasses,etc. Otherwise, you can put in some Marinepure in that section and let it do it's magic. Refugium debate also includes its ability to help regulate PH swings by running lighting in opposite schedules. The debate continues..
You can also look at putting some Macroalgae in the display. Check out www.Live-Plants.com. A lot of different types of Macro that is almost as pretty as some of the corals out there. I've ordered all kinds of stuff from this guy and it's always a great buy.

 

[Bdog4u2]

I love mine. I have a way oversized light and it keeps my nutrients n check and I'm a heavy feeder. I run my light 24/7 and I harvest huge amounts 2x a month plus any uneaten food makes its way there my massive pod population destroys it. it's funny watching them carry pellets across the sump

 

[RobertP]

Before I go to bed I get a real kick out of watching my bugs. The chaeto looks like it moves on its own with all the pods crawling through it. I have 1 hand size rock and clean bottom. Haven't yet pulled any algae out but it won't be much longer.
Still trying to figure out how I'm going to remove some algae without losing my precious bugs! That sounds like Oogie Boogie.

 

[FishGuyBri]

I can't get mine to Tumble so it gets stagnant on one side. I've been told to get a small power head, but all that does is make it float to the other side. I've tried all kinds of placement :-/