Refugium size discussion

[snakeblitz33]

I think that a discussion should be started on refugium sizes relative to display tank sizes.
Does it do any good to have a 125g fully loaded display tank with a 10g refugium? Are there any refugium size recommendations for standard sized display tanks?
How big does a refugium have to be to be effective at removing nitrates and phosphates relative to bioload and tank size?
Could we work to come up with some size recommendations for refugiums relative to standard tank sizes?

 

[1guydude]

hmm good question but i think it matters wat u stock it with as well and wat ur bioload for the display is and stuff. Is the 10gal fuge say a part of the sump with the rest of the filtration or is it just a 10g fuge on a 125g lol

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1guyDude http:///t/392638/refugium-size-discussion#post_3487894
hmm good question but i think it matters wat u stock it with as well and wat ur bioload for the display is and stuff. Is the 10gal fuge say a part of the sump with the rest of the filtration or is it just a 10g fuge on a 125g lol
Good question... does it matter where a refugium is placed in the system?

 

[novahobbies]

All good questions. I use a 29g sump on my 110, but only about 7-8g is reserved for the refugium section. I use the center portion of the sump, immediately after the filter floss and skimmer. There is no sponge or similar filtering material between the fuge and the return pump, and I even removed the sponge from the return pump's inlet head (the plastic grate is still in place for large items). My reasoning for the foam removal is to facilitate zooplankton export from the fuge. I read a few studies that show the small nauplii of amphipods and copepods survive the trip through the pump with relative ease; only larger individuals like adult amphipods and isopods get chopped. Either way, be it from live nauplii or chopped adults....it's all still fish food.
IMO it all depends on your bioload, and how you set up the fuge. I know some people tend to include wildlife in the fuge (fish, crabs, etc) but I wouldn't recommend this for most people unless they have a larger fuge. I feel like the standard refugium should just contain LR rubble, chaeto, and a sand bed only if it's necessary for buffering or DSB purposes. Possibly burrowing snails if the SB needs aeration. Chaeto alone can go a long way towards effective nutrient export as long as it's properly maintained.