What is the difference between a refugium and a sump?
Sumps are used mainly to centralize and compartmentalize filtration and monitoring equipment. Refugia, on the other hand, are used primarily to promote the growth and reproduction of targeted plants (usually macroalgae) and animals (especially copepods).
Where does refugium go in a sump?
They’re usually placed underneath aquariums. And when you have a tank this big this is where you have to place all your equipment.
Does a sump need a refugium?
Some hobbyists have a refugium, whereas some prefer to use a sump.
…
Is A Refugium The Same As A Sump?
| Refugium | Sump |
|---|---|
| Can be used to increase water volume in main tank | Can be used to increase water volume in main tank |
How big should your refugium be?
Common Advice for Refugium Size
If you have searched online, asked a friend, or talked to a rep at your local fish store for advice regarding the required size of a refugium you should install, an answer that you probably got was anywhere from 10-50% of the display tank’s water volume.
Can you use a refugium with fresh water?
When used in connection with aquarium keeping, a refugium is essentially a separate sump that’s connected to your main tank and shares the same water supply. Although refugia are most commonly used with tropical saltwater aquariums, you can also use them with cold water, fresh water, and brackish setups.
Are Refugiums worth it?
Having a refugium is definitely worth it. It really helps the pod population in the tank and macro algae is great for nutrient export.
What algae is in a refugium?
When it comes to algae, I recommend Chaeto or Chaetomorpha. This is the standard algae for refugiums, which is for a reason; it is easy to care for, grows fast, and is very effective. You can choose a different kind, but for a beginner, Chaeto is the way to go.
Can you put fish in a refugium?
I have had a refugium in my main tank proper (using rocks and a bit of screening to keep fish and shrimp out), in a sump and in a separate tank. They all worked fine.
How much flow does a refugium need?
The actual flow rate (how many times the water cycles through the tank) depends on what you’re keeping in the refugium. A basic rule of thumb is to change the refugium water volume in one hour (i.e. for a 20 gallon refugium, the water flow should be 20 gallons per hour (GPH).
Do refugiums lower phosphates?
Refugiums and Algae Scrubbers
An algae reactor/scrubber or refugium with macro-algae are both excellent options for phosphate control as well. A refugium with macroalgae will remove phosphate, nitrate and other nutrients via the fast-growing macroalgae.
Does a refugium reduce algae?
Setting up a refugium has never been easier and the benefits are real. No matter what type of fuge you set up, your reef tank is sure to benefit from less nuisance algae, lower nitrate and phosphate and lots of live foods for your fish and corals.
What should I put in my saltwater refugium?
What will you put in the refugium? You can use plain sand which you can buy new or use left over sand. Another option is refugium mud, which is said to be better than regular sand. You could leave it at that or go further and buy rock or use left over rock.
Should I put snails in my refugium?
To Snail or Not to Snail
Once in the main tank, snails can either function to remove algae or as fish food. But if using the refugium to cycle, filter and maintain balance in a main saltwater tank, algae and plant-eating organisms, such as snails, should be limited.
Does refugium help pH?
Refugiums. Refugiums typically house macroalgae. As the macro grows, it will absorb CO2 along with nitrates and phosphates. This means you will not only will it help to raise pH, but it will also remove nutrients.
What should I put in my freshwater refugium?
Trick- Freshwater Refugium (& really saltwater sump refugium too)
How fast does Chaeto remove nitrates?
As far as how much nitrate and phosphate drops, it’s hard to say. Without knowing what’s being put in. If you’re adding food and its increasing nitrate by 2ppm a day and your chaeto is able to remove 2.5 to 3ppm per day it’s going to take a while to notice a difference.
Does Chaeto absorb ammonia?
No it does not absorb ammonia. Bacteria breaks down ammonia into nitrite and other bacteria break nitrite down into nitrate. Nitrate is then a source of nutrients for algae and other things.
Which algae is best for refugium?
Chaetomorpha Linum (Chaeto)
It will help to regulate the nitrate and phosphate levels in your saltwater aquarium, which will, in turn, prevent bad algae, like hair algae, from prospering. Chaeto is commonly considered the go-to macroalgae for use in refugiums and it definitely is a very effective choice.
Will a refugium remove nitrates?
One of my favorite methods of nitrate reduction is a refugium. Macro algae (typically chaetomorpha or caulerpa) growing in the refugium consumes ammonia, nitrates and phosphates as it grows. This naturally reduces your nitrates and phosphates.
How many hours of light do you need for Chaeto?
Chaeto needs at least 8 hours of darkness so run the reactor\’s LEDs for no more than 16 hours. Run a reverse daylight cycle to keep the system water pH stable 24/7. Acclimate Chaeto to the intense LEDs by slowly ramping up the light cycle over a week. Start with AS LITTLE AS 4 hours.
What fish can I put in a refugium?
Fish, snails, shrimp, corals, crabs, corals, and copepods can all be put in the refugium. Though all of these animals can live in the refugium doing so could impact the goals you may have for your refugium.
What should I have in my refugium?
Best items to put in a refugium:
- Macroalgae such as sea lettuce or chaeto.
- Live rock rubble or manufactured biological media.
- Microfauna such as copepods and amphipods.
- A powerful refugium light with a means of automatically controlling its on/off cycle.
Do corals consume alkalinity at night?
Yes, assuming conditions are favorable, stony corals will grow at night, therefore will consume calcium and carbonate alkalinity.
Do protein skimmers raise pH?
Using CO2 removal media to remove CO2 from the air going into your protein skimmer is one of the most efficient ways to increase pH in your reef aquarium when too much dissolved CO2 is suppressing your tank’s pH.
Why does my Chaeto keep dying?
If you have your nutrients and lighting covered and you are still seeing brittle or dying chaeto, it is time to take a deeper look. Something that is usually not a problem but is still important is water flow. Most sumps and filtration systems have enough water flow through them to stop the macroalgae from choking out.