In tank Refugium

About two months ago I added an in tank refugium. Just throwing out my info on it. I am not real good on the technical parts of making one into another tank and what not. so i bought a cheap one off of marine depot. threw in some chaeto algae. I now have all sorts of pods. algae growing nicely. nitrates almost untraceable. and the lawnmower blennie that i had really enjoyed diving in and eating algae that would build up. He would make it in from the 2-3 inches it was below the water then just swim back out when he was done.

 

My only comment would be I thought a refum. was to build up pods and such so predators could get to them. If your fish can get in and out of it, he'll be eating them in there also, which defeats the purpose of having one?

I may be wrong, and someone will chime in I'm sure, but that's what I believed thier main purpose was.

 

He said his lawnmower blenny would jump in and out, they don't eat pods.

A refugium serves many purposes. Pods are one, as well as nutrient export...which is usually the main reason why a fuge is implemented into a system.

 

do you have a pic?

you bought it?

lol im not sure I follow

 

CPR CITR In-Tank Refugium with Rio 50

This one here, it was off of marinedepot. pretty inexpensive for how much it has given back. and my camera is not working atm so it will take a week or two to get some good pics up.

 

oh isn't that a fancy little set up..pretty cool!

 

ooo thats great
just have to hide it behind your live rock (well I would lol)

 

in a 55 gal i converted a aquaclear 110 into a fuge

 

ooh that looks nice. I take it because its in your tank, the fuge isnt getting 24hr lighting? How is it getting on like that? I always thought that a fuge worked best under 24hrs lights.

 

Depends I think. Some say you should run its lights opposite the DT. This helps with gases in the tank. While you fish are sleeping the fuge is active and using up gases, while the fish are active the fuge is sleeping and taking up less gases. Also, fuge critters tend to be nocturnal, so if you are running blacked out the pods and all moving around during your fishes hunting activities, increasing the likely hood of them being transferred to the DT during optimal time.