refugium question

[korgull]

i was just wondering what exactly a refugium is. i see the term quite a bit on here and i have a pretty good idea but i just wanted to make sure

 

[shadow678]

It is a smaller tank looped from your main tank, that is used to grow certain species of plants and animals that could not normally be grown as well in your main tank. It also provides filtration, depending on how it is set up. It can be used to grow macroalgaes that can be trimmed and fed to herbivores. It is also a good method of growing 'pod colonies in a controlled environment, so that they are not eaten before they have a chance to multiply, thus keeping a steady supply of them. It can also be used to quarantine certain species in a place where stress may be reduced, allowing them to heal or recover.