Refugium?

b_rabun1 · 08/13/2006, 01:12 PM

i have a refugium with a wet/dry my ? is do any of you put a power head in your refugium to move water?it is very slow movement in there is this ok or what should i do?

thanks

cardona · 08/13/2006, 01:42 PM

for starters sorry for my spelling, but i perfer low flow, especially because i have tons of diffrent macro algea and mangroves. you have to rembemer that the point of most refugiums is another type of natural filter, and a place for pods, frags, ect. low flow is the best way to go

JeffersonReef · 08/14/2006, 10:41 AM

I agree. Low water flow (maybe 2-3 times the fuge's water volume per hour) will ensure that the macroalgae gets adequate contact time with the water to remove excess nutrients. I use chaeto.. and the water flow is so low that the chaeto just gently sways... no tumbling. Some feel that tumbling is better, but the lower water flow has worked very well for me.

Bluemorningwind · 08/14/2006, 12:08 PM

The true purpose of a refugium is to protect and therefore develop a large population of pods. This is best done without light and moderate flow.

However, many reef keepers like to combine some algae scrubbing within the same space. A compromise. Slow flows are thought best to encourage alga to water contact time.

Answer: no need for a power head in the fuge.

JeffersonReef · 08/14/2006, 12:15 PM

bluemorningwind is right. If you would like to accomplish both (algae scrubbing and pod farming), have a nice pile of live rock rubble. Here, the pods will reproduce like crazy. Also provides shelter from light and water flow. I have a 20g fuge with a 6" pile of rock rubble and a 3" sand bed, as well as lots of Chaeto. There is plenty of life in there! I could add a pair of dragonets right now, and they would be FINE. I also like to sprinkle patches of lrr in the display, somewhere out of site.

The Reefer91 · 08/14/2006, 05:16 PM

i'm not sure that bluemorningwind is right. i think the point of a refugium is many things. yes, pods are good, but it's also for nutrient export. and yes, it's a "refuge", but that could be for algaes too, so fish don't eat them.

it's only purpose is too serve your tank as you please

08/13/2006, 01:12 PM	#1
b_rabun1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 112	Refugium? i have a refugium with a wet/dry my ? is do any of you put a power head in your refugium to move water?it is very slow movement in there is this ok or what should i do? thanks

08/14/2006, 05:16 PM	#6
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	i'm not sure that bluemorningwind is right. i think the point of a refugium is many things. yes, pods are good, but it's also for nutrient export. and yes, it's a "refuge", but that could be for algaes too, so fish don't eat them. it's only purpose is too serve your tank as you please __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

08/13/2006, 01:42 PM	#2
cardona Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 25	for starters sorry for my spelling, but i perfer low flow, especially because i have tons of diffrent macro algea and mangroves. you have to rembemer that the point of most refugiums is another type of natural filter, and a place for pods, frags, ect. low flow is the best way to go

08/14/2006, 10:41 AM	#3
JeffersonReef Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,698	I agree. Low water flow (maybe 2-3 times the fuge's water volume per hour) will ensure that the macroalgae gets adequate contact time with the water to remove excess nutrients. I use chaeto.. and the water flow is so low that the chaeto just gently sways... no tumbling. Some feel that tumbling is better, but the lower water flow has worked very well for me.

08/14/2006, 12:08 PM	#4
Bluemorningwind Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tokyo Posts: 441	The true purpose of a refugium is to protect and therefore develop a large population of pods. This is best done without light and moderate flow. However, many reef keepers like to combine some algae scrubbing within the same space. A compromise. Slow flows are thought best to encourage alga to water contact time. Answer: no need for a power head in the fuge.

08/14/2006, 12:15 PM	#5
JeffersonReef Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,698	bluemorningwind is right. If you would like to accomplish both (algae scrubbing and pod farming), have a nice pile of live rock rubble. Here, the pods will reproduce like crazy. Also provides shelter from light and water flow. I have a 20g fuge with a 6" pile of rock rubble and a 3" sand bed, as well as lots of Chaeto. There is plenty of life in there! I could add a pair of dragonets right now, and they would be FINE. I also like to sprinkle patches of lrr in the display, somewhere out of site.