Refugiums, are they worth it?

[Gumbies R Us]

I'm going to be honest: I don't know much about refugia, nor do I own one. That is why I'm asking this question. Do you think refugiums are worth having, or do you feel like they are more of a hassle to deal with? Share your tips and experiences with them!

 

[Jekyl]

My tank is 6 or 7 years old now and I don't even have a sump. I think it boils down to what you want to keep. If I were doing SPS I would definitely make the switch.

 

[Oldreefer44]

IMO, if you have the space then why not add more water volume to the system. In my case, I got rid of mine so that access to all of the equipment was much easier.

 

[JonoH]

I like mine, just for a place for Pods and life to hide without being bothered by the fish.
It does seem to help keep Algea out of the main display for the most part.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I like them and consider them desirable. :)

 

[vadryn]

A "Refugium" can be as simple as additional space that is seperate from your display tank that is providing not much more than the water volume it holds, or it can be more complex with deep sand bed, macro algea, critters, etc... Trying to find an answer for you requires knowing your situation and your goals... and understand there still may not be a "right" answer. Just different options.

I have a 90 gal sumpless with a chaeto refugium in the display. I'd rather have stable parameters without it taking up space, but haven't got there yet.

 

[UMALUM]

Over the years I've had several and they did work well. The only problem I had was no matter how hard I tried something always found its way into the display.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I guess it depends on the tank conditions. A tank with very low nutrients without one probably won’t benefit much and could actually hurt more than help. But if a tank has excessive nutrients, it’s a good natural way to lower them.

 

[landlubber]

with a Mandarin as part of the squad mine is pretty important. I admittedly am slightly lazy with my tank so it gives me extra room to be away from a strict maintenance schedule not to mention, I also run no nutrient control and have no algae thanks to the fuge.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I like mine, just for a place for Pods and life to hide without being bothered by the fish.
It does seem to help keep Algea out of the main display for the most part.

Do you have a picture of your setup?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

If just to hide heaters I feel it a benefit

Edit: for me a refuge is my full sump

 

[bobnicaragua]

Refugiums add stability to SPS tanks.

Less nightly PH drop.
Reduction in nitrates.
Contribute to biodiversity.

 

[Subsea]

A sump is a refugium. I like live rock in cryptic refugiums.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If just to hide heaters I feel it a benefit

I use to hide stuff in my pico tank haha (sump not a fuge for me)

 

[mpatterson42]

I'm setting up a tank and I'm planning on having both a mandarin dragonet and a blue spotted puffer. I'm adding a refugium with chaeto so the copepods I have will have a safe place for breeding and I'm concerned about most clean up crew members and the puffer, so hopefully the chaeto growing in the refugium will out compete for nutrients in the display tank and keep the algae down.

 

[MDAquatics]

I feel like they cannot be a detriment. They add volume, nutrient export and super helpful with pods.

 

[JoJosReef]

A sump is a refugium. I like live rock in cryptic refugiums.

That's my primary goal with the refugium. I'm planning a bit of space to grow tasty macros as treats for the herbivores in the upcoming refugium, as well as pod growth

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Don't own one myself as I've stuck with AIOs due to space. I see it as a secondary failsafe when nutrients get out of control. Otherwise If I feed right and keep my bio-load good. It shouldn't be needed. However I do want one in my dream 180g tank. I was thinking more like it being a macro/frag sump.

 

[JonoH]

Do you have a picture of your setup?

Only a quick snap of the top - when i trim the Chaeto i offer it to local reefers before i chuck it out!

There is some rubble underneath also. But nothing special really...

 

[damsels are not mean]

I think an unlit cryptic area with just some live rock will do more for you than a refugium. If you want macro algae, why not just add some to the display? If you want nutrient sequestration, maybe just don't overstock your tank with tangs when you only have 10 frags in it. The corals will do the same job as chaeto once you let them grow.