Why isn't everyone using a refugium?

[WReef12]

I've had a refugium in my back ever since I started but instead of getting hair algae or other algae's that are readily eaten ive only gotten dino and red slime , I dont blame it on my refugium but it might have some kind of relation

 

[Oredigger77]

We've had a refugium on our 40b tank for about a year. It hasn't done much to control our nutrient problems and we've been battling cyano for the last 6 months. When we got our new AIO 120 gallon tank we thought about trying to put a fuge in one of the chambers and realized it just wasn't worth the effort for almost no gain.

 

[Lavey29]

Some of us aren't a fan of the maintenance.

They are a little messy bit I just prefer the natural way it benefits the tank.

 

[blaxsun]

They are a little messy bit I just prefer the natural way it benefits the tank.

It's something I'm still toying with the idea of. But it would be in a more non-traditional setup (ie: chaeto reactor) or turf scrubber.

 

[Lavey29]

It's something I'm still toying with the idea of. But it would be in a more non-traditional setup (ie: chaeto reactor) or turf scrubber.

There was a guy who runs small air stone under his chaeto in the fuge. Basically aerating the chaeto with good results. Kind of makes it an in sump reactor then I'm going to try it.

 

[Tamberav]

Some people probably don't like the DOC's they produce. Sometimes they work to well. Some people can't seem to grow chaeto.

 

[Spare time]

Does anyone have to dose the trace elements and nutrients refugiums end up using?

Yes. I think my refugium is a huge sink for things like potassium which easily bottoms out in my tank.

 

[CryptoNautical]

40 breeder display with 20 long with custom baffles dedicated to a refugium growing chaeto. I like the heavy import heavy export method. But my refugium is around 30-35% of my total water volume once you displace rocks and sand. I've had 3 tanks in the past and will say the refugium of this size is super beneficial but not everyone wants or has the space to do that. Plus, there are plenty of other methods to get the same results. That's what makes this hobby so interesting, everyone has a different method of filtration, as long as the individual knows what they are getting into either that be a refugium or a skimmer, all filtration requires upkeep and good husbandry.

 

[Slocke]

Since adding mine it’s completely stopped all algae save bubble but me being a novice and not researching every little thing I buy just today found out it could go sexual so that’s another thing to keep me up at night. But overall I still think it was a great choice. Also my foxface loves it!

 

[haitian_reefer]

My Ulva traps a lot of detritus

 

[damsels are not mean]

Refugia takes place in the recesses of our rock. Growing algae in a sump is just algae scrubbing, so pretty much everyone has a refugium in their tanks.

Yes thank you, I see I am not the only one who has a pet peeve with the terminology.

 

[LPS Bum]

After adding a refugium to my system I was a reduction in nitrate from 25ppm to 1ppm in 1 week. Why even bother with other export methods?

Tough to do that if you don't have a sump, and not everyone has one...

 

[PeterEde]

After adding a refugium to my system I was a reduction in nitrate from 25ppm to 1ppm in 1 week. Why even bother with other export methods?

I started mine a few weeks back. Have chaeto and other macro and a few pieces of LR as well as typical bio media in other chambers and still my Nitrates rise.

 

[jbholasingh]

I started mine a few weeks back. Have chaeto and other macro and a few pieces of LR as well as typical bio media in other chambers and still my Nitrates rise.

How much par are you giving it and whats the surface area of the fuge vs system volume?

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

For me, it comes back to a 3 letter acronym. AIO. I may be upgrading to a tank with a sump, so maybe I'll have one soon.

 

[Lavey29]

I started mine a few weeks back. Have chaeto and other macro and a few pieces of LR as well as typical bio media in other chambers and still my Nitrates rise.

Takes a few months before the fuge has real affect.

 

[steveschuerger]

Setting up a hang on back refugium was one of my first purchases when I got my IM Nuvo 301 AIO. I’ve got live rock(5 lbs) and chaeto for the macro. I’ve also droppped several hermits and a few snails in back as well. It has a pincushion urchin as well(the critter had been picking up unglued frags as it went along at times). I also supplement with pods(copepods/amphipods) in it as well as the main tank,as I’ve got mandarins and I’m trying get a good stable population going. Presently it also has a yellowtail damsel that was being bullied. It seems like he likes it back there so I’m leaving him be for now. And yes my tank seems more stable with it up and running.

 

[MoshJosh]

I'm new to this but. . .

Coming from a freshwater planted tank background, a refugium makes a ton of sense. Let the plants (algae) do some of the work for you (probably something to be said about stability/ecosystem diversity as well).

Assuming you have the space, the funds, and don't mind any added maintenance, I say why not. . .

 

[jbholasingh]

I'm new to this but. . .

Coming from a freshwater planted tank background, a refugium makes a ton of sense. Let the plants (algae) do some of the work for you (probably something to be said about stability/ecosystem diversity as well).

Assuming you have the space, the funds, and don't mind any added maintenance, I say why not. . .

I also came from a planted tank background. So I may be biased towards the plant based methods. Wish I could get some decorative macroalge in my country

 

[kados]

Zero desire for a garden in my sump. I like a clean sump and I don't mind the maintenance of socks, skimmers, water changes etc. I can appreciate the effectiveness and the benefits of the refugium though.