What is the purpose of a refugium???

[fish fool]

I have an empty 20 gal. tank and was wandering what I should do with it. I was wandering if I should set up a refugium for my 60 gallon fowlr, but I do not really know what purpose they serve. If this would be a good idea I could use some help with the plans. Thanks.

 

[nosmada]

refugiums give your algae a "preferred" place to grow. this keeps it out of your main show tank. you can also grow calerpa there to help keep your nitrates lower. most people run the lights on there fuge 24/7.
hth,
chris

 

[templar]

It's one giant bio-filter. Also a place you can keep your heater/skimmer so you have less stuff in the main tank. It's more so for reef tanks rather then FO, but it will still only help.

 

[captained]

You can also get detrivore kits (am I going to get in trouble for this? I don't think they sell them here) that includes lots of tiny critters that can be a good food source for inverts and mandarins. You "seed" the refugium with them and then as the multiply they will get sucked up the return and into your show tank.

 

[wallda]

that is really cool. maybe my next project!

 

[fish fool]

Does anyone have plans for one? I have a 20 gallon tank I can use.

 

[nosmada]

fish fool,
do a search on sumps and refugiums in the DIY section. im sure you will find tons of links to plans.
hth,
chris