Do I really need a refugium?

[LexSkizzle]

I currently have a 55g reef with LPS and softies. I have a HOB Remora Skimmer and a Wet/dry(which I removed the bioballs and attached a filter sock to instead). Im upgrading to a 75g in a couple of weeks so Im purchasing things here and there as I go. Last thing to buy is a sump. Hers my question:

1. Can I get by "fairly well" with a sump with just a filter sock setup and a protein skimmer(New Octo 150)?

2. Do I really need a refugium?

3. What are "all" the benefits to having a refugium?

4. I heard something about refugiums help keep nitrates down, is this true?

Thanks in advance!
Lex

[seapug]

you can get by without one but you don't need a huge separate system to have a fuge. Something as simple as live rock submerged in the sump will even provide some benefit to the system. If you can light it and install a baffle for a sandbed and chaeto, all the better, but it's not required.

[Playa-1]

1) Yup but you will likely be doing more water changes then somebody that has a properly set up Refugium.
2) NO
3) Provides a refuge from preditation for small creatures. These creatures add to the bio-diversity of the tank. They also are a gr8 source of food for many of the creatures in the display tank.
There are many different ways to configure a fuge so much of it has to do with what your looking to accomplish. For example: If I want to keep a Mandarin fish and I want to make sure that it's going to be well fed then I would set up my fuge with the idea of breeding pods in the fuge. I may set up a ball of Macro-Algae which absorbs Phosphates, Nitrates as it grows. The Algae thru photosynthesis also helps to improve the O2 content in the tank. When you trim back the Macro-Algae and remove the clippings then your actually exporting Nitrates and Phosphates. By growing algae in the fuge, the fuge is constantly using Nitrates and Phosphates and if there being used in the fuge then they are less likely to become a problem in the display by fueling nuisance algae. A deep sand bed with a Plenum could be put to use in a fuge to help deal with nitrates. The fuge adds additional water to the system that helps to stabilize the water parameters. You can opt for a reverse lighting scheme in the fuge that could potentially offset the night time PH swing. That's what comes to mind off the top of my head.
4)yup

[pledosophy]

Originally posted by LexSkizzle
[B] 1. Can I get by "fairly well" with a sump with just a filter sock setup and a protein skimmer(New Octo 150)?

You can. Just make sure you stay on top of your testing to determine how much and how often you need to do in water changes.

2. Do I really need a refugium?

No, many people in this hobby do quite well without a refugium.

3. What are "all" the benefits to having a refugium?

Well I can't list every benefit but nitrate reduction, phosphate reduction, stabilizing the pH, providing a continual source of food for fish and corals, removal of toxins including heavy metals are some of the more popular reason.

4. I heard something about refugiums help keep nitrates down, is this true?

Refugiums themselves don't keep nitrates down but the macro aglaes will consume nitrate as long as the other elements they need to grow are in place (phosphate, light, some believe iron). Some macro algaes consume more nutrients then others, some are more stable. There is a lot involved, but short answer refugiums utalized properly will help reduce nitrates.

Welcome!

[LexSkizzle]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone! Looks like I will have to incorporate a refugium in my sump. I plan on making my own since their really expensive. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can purchase pre-cut baffles to make my own sump? Is something like this even available?

Thanks!

[pledosophy]

I get mine acrylic stuff at Tap's Plastic. They are a national chain and do cut to size. If you tell them what you are using them for they will help you out with the type of cut and everything IME.

HTH

[LexSkizzle]

Are their any links to making sumps as far as sizes in baffels, placement, thinkness, etc.?

[Playa-1]

Check out the DIY section at www.melevsreef.com

[tb27272]

I have a refugium on my heavily stocked 180 aggressive tank. I have big, well fed wish. My skimmer has become all but worthless since the refugium started doing its job. Nitrates are always on 0. Since is it FO, I do significantly less water changes.

[LexSkizzle]

Thanks Playa-1!