greenwolf52
Member
I'm considering adding a refugium to my 100 g FOWLR. In what ways will this benefit my system? Is it even necassary?
Benefits of refugium?
- Thread starter greenwolf52
- Start date
mrs. crabtree
New Member
Me too. I read another post that indirectly seemed to be saying a refugium will benefit a reef moreso than a FOWLR; but that is how I interpreted it.
reefkprz
Active Member
well if you have any fish/fishes that eats copepods it'll provide a place for them to grow, if you have algae grazers it'll give you a place to grow algae for feeding and nitrate reduction, plus if one of your fish gets injured it can be used as a recovery zone where the other fish can't antagonize it. PLus it adds more water volume (always a plus in any marine system) there are several benifits to running a fuge on any marine tank. its not nesecary but a nice addition.
greenwolf52
Member
how about increased water quality? that's kind of what i'm looking for. i've had probs with ick outbreaks in the past, but i'm trying to decrease the chances of that happening anymore. not adding any more new inhabitants bc i think i am at my max. i have pics of system under photo forum.
fishgeek01
Active Member
As far as water quality, that would be the main reason that you would add the fuge. With the addition of a dsb and macro algae in a refugium, the benefits far outweigh any downfalls, come to think of it i can't think of any downfalls... The fug will reduce or eliminate nitrates in your system as well as help with any ammonia that you have since it is a fish only tank. And as mentioned above, the change in volume will help dilute any toxins or poisons that may enter your tank, making it easier to keep good water quality and healthier fish. My recommendation is to put one on your tank if you have the means
greenwolf52
Member
thank you for the recomendation. it is my understnading that it is a good thing to have 0 nitrates as well as 0 nitrites. some people on here find it hard to believe that ihave been keeping mine at these levels. is it normal to have a small amount of either in a system at any given time.
fishgeek01
Active Member
It is normal to have some nitrates, typically even in a reef 5-10 ppm is not bad, I have even heard in a fowlr that 40 ppm is not bad. So if you are keeping at 0 then you are doing good. The cool thing about a refugium is that if you don't have any corals such as shrooms or zoos, in a properly lit refugium you could add some of those, and have no worries about your fish bothering them. The best of both worlds if you ask me.
greenwolf52
Member
definitely considering it. with a 100g system, how big should refugium be? what kind of water flow, lighting?