Anyone not like a refugium?

[sparsons]

I'm setting up my first tank (125 gal) in the next couple of weeks. Most of the posts I've read seem to talk about the refugium like its the best thing since sliced bread, but the owner of my LFS kind of talked me out of it (He is helping me install and set up the tank). Do any of you NOT recommend a refugium?

 

[btldreef]

I actually think it's easier to start off a tank without one than with one. I do not run a refugium on any of my tanks, but I do have a tank set up for copepods and I swap rocks to seed my tank from time to time.

 

[stanlalee]

yes I've said to self I probably wont bother with one if I do another set up just a nice clean skimmer compartment. My intent would to keep sand, live rock crud, detritus and other fuge crap out my sump. A remote fuge would be feasable but I'd much rather replace that with a remote frag tank which would be much more useful and visually appealing to me. I cant think of any bad or horrible reason NOT to have a fuge either I just dont think I want one in the future. the size required to actually be useful for say assist feeding ect isn't feasable for me. I already cut out macro algae which is very useful because I dont want to prune and maintain it.

 

[sparsons]

Thanks for the replies. It makes me feel a little better starting off without one!

 

[king_neptune]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3272580
I actually think it's easier to start off a tank without one than with one. I do not run a refugium on any of my tanks, but I do have a tank set up for copepods and I swap rocks to seed my tank from time to time.
you hit it right on the head! I started as a sump with LR in it. Ill be converting it to a Fuge in a couple months.
The tank is 9months old now.

 

[florida joe]

you hit it right on the head! I started as a sump with LR in it. Ill be converting it to a Fuge in a couple months.
ok king lets talk about this, so you have a sump which is basically a refuge( refuge from predators) What conversion are you going to make

 

[spanko]

I was going to ask, isn't a sump with live rock in it a refugium?
I thought a sump was just a place to house equipment that you did not want visible in the display and to add water volume.
I have been known to be wrong before though..........

 

[tur4k]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3273046
I was going to ask, isn't a sump with live rock in it a refugium?
I thought a sump was just a place to house equipment that you did not want visible in the display and to add water volume.
I have been known to be wrong before though..........
Yes. A sump with live rock would be a refugium. A sump with Macro's would be a refugium. A sump can be just a place for equipment. It can also be a Wet/Dry. It could be a refugium.
A refugium is a place that is free of predators. It can be it's own attached tank/sump. It can be a section of a sump. It can even be a section of the display tank that has been sectioned off by egg crate.
There are many advantages to growing macro algae in a refugium. I would definately do some research on the subject before dismissing it out of hand. The only real disadvantage is the space it takes up. The amount of work it takes to rip a ball of chaeto in half every few weeks is pretty laughable.

 

[btldreef]

Yes, technically a sump with live rock in it is a refugium. That being said, most people's understanding or intent when they refer to a refugium is one with rock/sand/algaes, etc. If that makes any sense?

 

[ajroc31]

If you have the money, I would really consider a fuge. I can't really think of any negative aspects of having one, but there are so many on the postive side. The macro will help you stablize the ph, provide food for all kinds of critters. It can be a good place for a stressed out fish to hide out for a little while in abundance of food. The macro of course will inhibit the growth of the undesirable algeas in the tank. With a fuge, you don't have to deal with bio-balls. Its a good place for hiding your skimmer, and any media you might eventually use. I lucked out with my fuge price wise when I purchased my tank, but they could be pricey, considering that its made from inexpensive plastic. But, if you have some extra cash, imo its a good purchase.