The goal of a refugium is to replicate the natural reed beds found in most reef colonies in the wild. Most reefers with a sump will dedicate an area specifically to a Refugium or ‘Fuge’ as it is most commonly known, or, for those aquarium owners without a sump, you can purchase ready-made Refugiums that can hang onto the side/back of a tank.
Where is the best place to put a refugium in a tank?
And the third section is where the return pump that pumps the water back into your tank is located. You may have other kinds of filtration and equipment such as carbon, GFO, reactors, and dosers, but essentially the best place for your refugium is the last section of filtration.
How do you grow plants in a refugium?
Mount your light so that it lights your refugium in a efficient way for optimal growth. Set the timer so that the light comes on when your main display light turns off. Maintenance on your refugium is simple. Harvest the macroalgae every two to four weeks depending on how fast it grows. That’s about it.
What is a saltwater aquarium refugium and how does it work?
There are many benefits to building or creating a refugium in your saltwater aquarium. It allows for additional surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow, which filters out nitrates and nutrients in an efficient and natural way. They also provide a habitat for small beneficial organisms so they can reproduce without getting eaten.
What is a planted refugia used for?
Planted refugia are used to cultivate macroalgae. And that’s about the only thing that has stayed the same over the years. As time goes on and the saltwater aquarium hobby becomes more and more sophisticated, these set-ups are becoming increasingly complicated, specialized, and technologically advanced.
Why install a planted refugium in a reef aquarium?
There are plenty of reasons to install a planted refugium into your reef aquarium system. You might culture macroalgae for numerous purposes including removing excess nutrients, growing a live food for herbivores, creating pod microhabitat, or just for simple enjoyment.
