Refugium?

Robert Boukari · 04/10/2017, 11:51 AM

I have a 32 LED CORALIFE BIOCUBE and I wanted to try a refugium. Would this be a good thing to do or would you not recommend it?

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victor_c3 · 04/10/2017, 12:04 PM

Yeah, I'd absolutely recommend it.

You increase water volume and add more biodiversity to your system. If you're running any sort of phosphate removal media you can ditch that which simplifies maintenance and, although plenty of people have great aquariums with GFO, I prefer to not add any more chemicals to my systems than I have to.

If you can, I'd try to set it up so that you don't get to open much flow through it. My experience has been that copepods don't do well with the extremely high flow I had running through my sump. Also, I was an idiot I kept mine lit 24 hours a day. I didn't realize that plants won't grow if the lights are on 24 hours.

mcgyvr · 04/10/2017, 12:05 PM

You can do it if you want...
Its not going to "hurt" anything but it probably won't be the "magic" you hope it will be if you are expecting nutrient reduction vs just a place for "refuge"..

IMO if you are having nutrient issues then look to other methods to correct that issue..

AlSimmons · 04/10/2017, 12:40 PM

For that size tank I would pass on the refugium and just stick to the basics. Don't overstock, don't overfeed and vacuum your sand bed on a regular basis too. It's amazing what a little elbow grease can accomplish sometimes. Also, your tank is too small for a specialized feeder such as a Mandarin anyways, so pods should be of no concern IMO.

aznflyfisherman · 04/10/2017, 12:52 PM

For that size aio i would pass, not worth it, unless u just want too n already have the equipement. Regular water change would be easier n more efficient.

Ron Reefman · 04/11/2017, 06:45 AM

I have a 65g shallow reef (4'x2'x14") and I have a 125g sump/refugium.

IMHO a small refugium just isn't very valuable for nutrient reduction. Maybe a display refugium would be a better idea? See mine in the build thread listed in my signature.

Dealseer · 04/11/2017, 06:47 AM

Yes, I absolutely recommend a refugium in that tank.

04/10/2017, 11:51 AM	#1
Robert Boukari Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 50	Refugium? I have a 32 LED CORALIFE BIOCUBE and I wanted to try a refugium. Would this be a good thing to do or would you not recommend it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/10/2017, 12:05 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You can do it if you want... Its not going to "hurt" anything but it probably won't be the "magic" you hope it will be if you are expecting nutrient reduction vs just a place for "refuge".. IMO if you are having nutrient issues then look to other methods to correct that issue.. __________________ Who me?

04/11/2017, 06:45 AM	#6
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I have a 65g shallow reef (4'x2'x14") and I have a 125g sump/refugium. IMHO a small refugium just isn't very valuable for nutrient reduction. Maybe a display refugium would be a better idea? See mine in the build thread listed in my signature. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

04/10/2017, 12:04 PM	#2
victor_c3 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 513	Yeah, I'd absolutely recommend it. You increase water volume and add more biodiversity to your system. If you're running any sort of phosphate removal media you can ditch that which simplifies maintenance and, although plenty of people have great aquariums with GFO, I prefer to not add any more chemicals to my systems than I have to. If you can, I'd try to set it up so that you don't get to open much flow through it. My experience has been that copepods don't do well with the extremely high flow I had running through my sump. Also, I was an idiot I kept mine lit 24 hours a day. I didn't realize that plants won't grow if the lights are on 24 hours.

04/10/2017, 12:40 PM	#4
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	For that size tank I would pass on the refugium and just stick to the basics. Don't overstock, don't overfeed and vacuum your sand bed on a regular basis too. It's amazing what a little elbow grease can accomplish sometimes. Also, your tank is too small for a specialized feeder such as a Mandarin anyways, so pods should be of no concern IMO.

04/10/2017, 12:52 PM	#5
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	For that size aio i would pass, not worth it, unless u just want too n already have the equipement. Regular water change would be easier n more efficient.

04/11/2017, 06:47 AM	#7
Dealseer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 241	Yes, I absolutely recommend a refugium in that tank.