Refugiums

[stefday]

Hi,

I was reading a marine fish book today and for a few of the fish it stated that their care would be enhanced by the use of a refugium as it adds to their diet.

I was under the impression ( probably wrongly ) that refugiums were more for filtration than to provide extra nutrition.

I would be grateful for an explanation of how this works.

Thanks.

 

[AK77]

Hi,

I was reading a marine fish book today and for a few of the fish it stated that their care would be enhanced by the use of a refugium as it adds to their diet.

I was under the impression ( probably wrongly ) that refugiums were more for filtration than to provide extra nutrition.

I would be grateful for an explanation of how this works.

Thanks.

Hi Stef,

No you are quite right, the primary reason for a refugium is for nutrient export (nitrates/phosphates). I should imagine that what is mentioned in the book is in reference to the amphipods and copepods and other macroscopic life that is often found living among macro algae like chaetomorpha. For example, I used to have a green manadarin dragonet which fed on the pods. I used to rotate portions of chaeto from the refugium into the display tank, for the fish to feed on. A few days later, I'd remove the chaeto from the DT and replace it with another clump from the refugium. The only other thing I can think of would be if the fish was a herbivore and fresh algae could be taken from the fuge and placed in the DT as food.

Did it mention any fish species specifically?

 

[steelhealr]

A refugium is one of the greatest things you can add onto a marine tank, for sure a nano tank. The refugium does many things:

• removes nitrates from the water column
• provides safety (refuge) for small animals and food sources
• removes CO2 from the water during the day and oxygenates
• returns CO2 to the water during respiration at night and helps offset falls in pH
• provides food for some animals (particularly red algaes or Rhodophyta sp
• finally, can provide an out of the way place to put equipment

Refugiums are GREAT! SH

 

[stefday]

Thanks for the replies.

The fish were mainly Anthia`s and Dragonets.

How do you set up a refugium? Is it similar to a sump?

Can you get them custom made and if so are they expensive?

Thanks.

 

[ben1987]

they are similar to a sump in the way that its a volume of water kept outside of the main tank. Usually people pump from the main tank, upwards and hav garvity return the water bac to the main tank.

They are not very expensive. Ebay have some decent hanf on reugiums. Then they just need a light and macro algae.

 

[stefday]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I would prefer to have one under the main tank.

Has anybody got any simple designs for this?