Refugium

Is it necessary to have a refugium....if someone could please tell me the pros and cons?

 

Here is an article that will help you understand.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa041400.htm

Jim

As far as I am concerned there are no cons, only pros.

 

That is a good article describing refugiums, alas, a lot of us run the "reverse photosynthesis" deal. My sump/fuge is under my tank. The only con I see, is the plumbing needed to pull the water out and back into the tank, a minor drawback at best

Keeps pH more stable, allows critters like pods etc to grow and spawn, thereby feeding the food web in the entire set up, and the algae helps to keep the water clean. ;D

 

I wrote some on this as well that may help:

http://www.3reef.com/modules.php?name=Content&file=viewcategory&cid=2

Refugiums aren't necessary but if you have the room, I say go for it.

 

I installed a fuge on my tank because of high trats on the test strip it would be dark red after it established itself I had 0 nitrats and has been that way ever since I would highly reccomend it. Cons I only have one drain in mine (drilled) if possible I would get 2 drains for back up the algee and calurpa(spelling) seems to get caught in it