Refugium. A refugium is a section of the aquarium sump where copepods, small worms and other benthic organisms are allowed to proliferate on small pieces of live rock, free from direct predation from fish. The refugium is also where macroalgae, which aid in nutrient removal, can be grown. What Is The Best Macroalgae For The Refugium? Macroalgae works amazingly well at absorbing nitrates and phosphates from aquarium water. Chaetomorpha is an extremely popular choice for refugiums as it is very hardy and doesn’t require a lot of light to keep it growing — a single 2. Refugium with macroalgae and sandbed. Resembling a wad of dark green, wiry fibres, chaetomorpha is free floating and doesn’t need to be attached to the substrate. It requires only a small amount of water movement to prevent too much detritus from building up in it. Colonies of copepods can be found thriving in masses of chaetomorpha, which is ideal as many eventually find their way into the main display tank via the return pump to provide a constant supply of food for the fish. Chaetomorpha only needs to be pruned if it gets too large and dense and is done by simply pulling away handfuls of it and throwing it away. You might be able to find a marine aquarium hobby club in your area where other hobbyists give away their excess chaetomorpha. Caulerpa, on the other hand is a type of macroalgae that should generally be avoided. Although it is just as efficient at nutrient control as chaetomorpha, it sometimes goes through a sexual reproduction phase where it releases spores, severely clouding the water and necessitating large water changes.
Refugium Lights. Macroalgae require light for photosynthesis, without which they will die. Fortunately, the lighting requirements for macroalgae in a refugium are minimal — most will fluorish under a 2. Although a more elegant solution would be to install a simple single T5 aquarium light fixture over the refugium, in the interest of preventing any possibility of electric shock due to moisture entering an exposed light bulb socket. The refugium should be set on a reverse lighting schedule, opposite from the main display tank. This will stablilize p. H, preventing the usual scenario of plummeting p.
H levels when the lights go out in the main display. Hang- On Refugiums. For sumpless tanks, a hang- on refugium is a good option. Made from acrylic to minimize weight, a hang- on refugium requires a small pump to deliver water from the display tank. The water then flows back passively into the display via another pipe. A refugium light over the hang- on refugium is also required to keep the macroalgae happy. Refugium Sandbeds. Some hobbyists add a 4″ to 6″ sandbed to their refugiums to further aid in nitrate removal.
Refugium sandbeds seem to be less popular nowadays, mostly due to the fact that stray particles of fine sand inadvertently find their way into the return pump, which can damage the impeller. Refugium sandbeds also tend to collect a lot of mulm and detritus if they are not kept clean and vacuumed periodicaly. Excessive buildup of mulm can actually contribute to nitrate buildup over time. Read more about Saltwater Aquarium Setup.
DIY Refugium Plans & Setups. Here is information about setting up a refugium for your saltwater aquarium, which is a safe haven for sessile inverts and other delicate species, and a place to cultivate macroalgae and live foods such as copepods and amphipods. This site uses cookies.
- Why having a refugium as part of your saltwater aquarium setup is beneficial, as well as some tips on the best macroalgae to grow for nutrient control.
- Reefkeeping 101 – Sumps! a refugium is something I highly recommend and have incorporated into each of. a very slow return pump is best. If the sump is.
- If you have the space, the best way to run a refugium is in a dedicated tank attached to your aquarium. Some hobbyists prefer placing the refugium above their display.
- Top refugiums for saltwater aquariums. Refugiums are great add-ons for saltwater aquariums which can be used to cultivate algae, amphipods/copepods.
- Information about setting up a refugium for your saltwater aquarium, which is a safe haven for sessile inverts and other delicate species, and a place to cultivate.
- The refugium itself can be any shape that best fits. Such a setup makes it next to impossible. Going this route you can also combine a refugium and sump into.
- First some definitions by what we mean by 'sump' and 'refugium': Refugium - a safe place in your system. It is usually a tank that is plumbed into your main system.
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SUMP / Refugium Design User. I am new and intend to setup a 125gallon reef tank with a 55 sump.I intend to create a. What is the best method for controlling.
Refugium Setup; Refugium Setup for Saltwater Aquariums. The use of a refugium setup is gaining in popularity among saltwater hobbyists, especially the reef tank. Hot Tips: Refugium Tips. get a custom made acrylic sump/refugium for your setup since it really opens up your options. The best luck I ever had was one a 10g.
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