Refugium discussion

One thing I would like to add is that a refugium is just that... aa refuge from predation for pods to reproduce. Pods eat algae but any light source will grow enough for them.

the use of algae as a filter or scrubber of nutrients is something different. However, if you have a compartment for pods production then that makes a good place to house a macro algae filter. Two different jobs accomplished in the same place. That is what has become to be thought of as the modern refugium.

 

I've never used one. I will on my next build though.

So sounds like from Powerman the name 'refugium' refers to the pod reproduction. That makes sense. I can't see what else would need refuge...?

Do crabs eat pods? Would having things in a refugium that don't eat pods (but do clean things up as things grow) really have any bearing on if it's a 'refuge' or not?

I one time did keep a pod farm. I had some cheato in there. I noticed the hermits I had in there (pod farms are quite dirty) would eat the cheato. But it occurrs to me it shouldn't be too hard to get a balance of cheato to hermit ratio to kind of automatically keep the cheato trimmed... no?

When I think of a "refugium" I think along the lines of somewhere for macro algaes to consume nitrates etc and less so about the refuge aspect. (In my mind, btw, 'sump' = place for equipment)

A lot of macro algaes are calciferous and crabs don't seem to eat them. Why not have that and a CuC? I don't think the pods care either way, do they?

Why not keep pipefish in a refugium. Similar flow requirements no?

 

the modesty of both Powerman and Peredhil impresses me

they dont know they are in the heavy weight category

Steve

 

So with a refuge and sump where does your filter media go? carbon etc..

 

They go in the sump or reactors or canister filters on the outside of the sump.

 

oh i see so it wouldnt replace my canister filter now.

 

It can if you want to use reactors which are a little more efficient than a canister for chemical filtration. I would not replace the canister with a reactor until it starts having trouble working though.

 

If you wanted pods in the fuge, the pipefish would decimate them, for one.

To me, a refugium can be a place for anything that cannot survive in the DT. It could be a pipefish and some shrimp, crabs and snails, if your DT is an aggressive FOWLR. In this case, some bits of meat would make it into the fuge that need to be taken care of.

Here is one thing that I don't understand. I watch my tank pretty closely, and I don't see how any appreciable amount of pods can make it from the fuge to the DT. At least nowhere near the amount that would help sustain say, a Mandarin. For one, they cling really well to any surface they are on. For two, I have never seen one just blown into the DT by the return pump. I know they're small, but I don't see very many at all in my return section, which is after the fuge area, but the fuge is full of them.

 

The ones that make the trip to the tank populate the tank. They seem to be quite numerous in the sand. Ulva is supposed to be a great food for pods. I bought some and it was gone in about two weeks in my tank and i have no herbivorous fish. I never saw the hermits or snails around it much either.

 

I agree they can populate the tank, but I don't believe at a rate that can feed a Mandarin. I would be afraid to let my Mandarins survive on only pods in the tank. I just wonder about statements that a pod filled fuge will keep such fish alive.

Part of my FOWLR system sump is a 90 gallon tank that has chaeto nearly covering the surface layer of the tank. There is a scary huge population of amphipods that chows down on the chaeto. There is more growth than what they are consuming, but I wonder how much they actually eat, and is it a benefit?