what is the purpose of a Refugium
- Thread starter socko6774
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shlovell16
Member
No, but most people like to have them. It's bassically a smaller tank, often in the sump with the skimmer/pumps/heater. People use it for keeping fish when they are sick, when they are adding the fish to their tank(QT, I think), when they have fragged corals (Etc...). Bassically I think it's just a smaller tank that is NOT a display tank that people use for things seperate then a display tank.
Some of what I said may be false, but I'm pretty sure that's all what a Fuge is for.
Some of what I said may be false, but I'm pretty sure that's all what a Fuge is for.
lion_crazz
Active Member
The main purpose of a refugium is to rid your display tank of nitrates, phosphates, and silicates.
It can also be used to cultivate copepods and other desirable critters that would be eaten in your display tank.
As stated, some people do use thier refugiums to grow out coral frags as well.
You cannot use it as a quarantine for sick or new fish since it is still tied into the display tank.
Since installing my refugium, I would not run a tank without one.
It can also be used to cultivate copepods and other desirable critters that would be eaten in your display tank.
As stated, some people do use thier refugiums to grow out coral frags as well.
You cannot use it as a quarantine for sick or new fish since it is still tied into the display tank.
Since installing my refugium, I would not run a tank without one.
shlovell16
Member
Thanks for clearing up my mistakes lion crazz. I am going to build one soon, I just have to get some good but simple plans first.
integral9
Member
Regiums help stabilize your chemistry if you turn their lights on when the main tank's lights are off. They also provide excellent biological filtration. They are not absolutely necessary, but they are an extremely "green" method of filtration and desirable to the enthusiest fish keeper. They make the tank closer to the real world and help reduce stress in your fish. They may be necessary for keeping some species of fish, like Mandarins that eat the copapods.
Here are some good articles on refugiums:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=3043
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=551
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=439
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1116
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=948
Here are some good articles on refugiums:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=3043
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=551
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=439
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1116
http://www.**************.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=948
shlovell16
Member
To lioncrazz: Not saying your wrong, but I read those articles posted by Integral, and in the first article link it says that Fuge's can be used for acclimation and for the sick fish. (QT).
Just thought I might point that out?
Just thought I might point that out?
lion_crazz
Active Member
Okay, maybe we are thinking two different things. If you have a fish that is "sick", you obviously need to treat him with something. Anything that you put into the refugium to treat the "sick" fish is going to get into your display tank. Thus, you cannot use it for this purpose.
I also don't see any purpose or benefit in acclimating a new fish to the refugium. If this fish comes down with ich or a parasite, it is now going to be in your display tank because your display tank is connected to the refugium. This is why a separate quarantine tank is neccessary. If you acclimate a new fish to a separate quarantine tank, you can treat for any disease or parasite if the fish breaks out, and not have to worry about anything getting into your display tank.
I also don't see any purpose or benefit in acclimating a new fish to the refugium. If this fish comes down with ich or a parasite, it is now going to be in your display tank because your display tank is connected to the refugium. This is why a separate quarantine tank is neccessary. If you acclimate a new fish to a separate quarantine tank, you can treat for any disease or parasite if the fish breaks out, and not have to worry about anything getting into your display tank.
shlovell16
Member
Yeah I agree, your right, that does deffinatly sound logical. I was just curious when I read that on the article??? Maybe I miss read it, sorry. It's in the first link.
poniegirl
Active Member
A QT would be to separate the disease from the display tank. The refug. is plumbed directly linking it to the display tank...that would totally defeat the purpose of QTing the fish...
QT has to be a completely separate system from the main or display tank to be useful. If the fish were somehow injured, maybe refug, would be okay. Not disease.
QT has to be a completely separate system from the main or display tank to be useful. If the fish were somehow injured, maybe refug, would be okay. Not disease.
shlovell16
Member
Okay I deffinatly read the sick part wrong. I apoligize.
This is what it said:
"May possibly aid the immune systems of fish"
I thought it ment IN the fuge, it means prevent in the Tank. Okay You all were correct. Thanks!
This is what it says about acclimation though:"
"Serve as temporary acclimation tanks for new inhabitants"
Oh well...
This is what it said:
"May possibly aid the immune systems of fish"
I thought it ment IN the fuge, it means prevent in the Tank. Okay You all were correct. Thanks!
This is what it says about acclimation though:"
"Serve as temporary acclimation tanks for new inhabitants"
Oh well...