Some marine aquarium hobbyists choose to purchase a separate refugium created with compartments which tend to be very
expensive. They work great but are not necessary for the thrifty hobbyists. There are also hang-on type refuges which hang on the
back of the tank and also can add benefits.
Here are tips on creating a refugium cheaper and even more efficiently. These are methods of creating a refugium which will
maximize the benefits of having one. Remember, there is no one way to do things in this hobby -- be creative! But remember the
purpose is to add filtration -- which means you need good flow through rockwork or substrate -- and biological diversity -- meaning
the system needs to create habitats that favor specific organisms which can thrive there and migrate outwards into the larger
system over time.
expensive. They work great but are not necessary for the thrifty hobbyists. There are also hang-on type refuges which hang on the
back of the tank and also can add benefits.
Here are tips on creating a refugium cheaper and even more efficiently. These are methods of creating a refugium which will
maximize the benefits of having one. Remember, there is no one way to do things in this hobby -- be creative! But remember the
purpose is to add filtration -- which means you need good flow through rockwork or substrate -- and biological diversity -- meaning
the system needs to create habitats that favor specific organisms which can thrive there and migrate outwards into the larger
system over time.
First, loose the bio balls -- as has already been proved the traditional set
up of these systems tends to create a nitrate producing machine. By
replacing the bio balls with rockwork you will still have the surface area for
the needed bacteria but you will also be housing critters in more suitable
habitat.
As you can see I have the rockwork elevated like the bio balls would -- this
ensures the water is well mixed before entering the baffle area.
Notice the baffle area is filled with smaller rubble -- this is also great for
surface area for bacteria but also creates a "high speed" zone where flow
is high as the baffle is a bottle-neck in the system -- this area is great for
tunicates and other filter feeders that like high flow but do not need light.
up of these systems tends to create a nitrate producing machine. By
replacing the bio balls with rockwork you will still have the surface area for
the needed bacteria but you will also be housing critters in more suitable
habitat.
As you can see I have the rockwork elevated like the bio balls would -- this
ensures the water is well mixed before entering the baffle area.
Notice the baffle area is filled with smaller rubble -- this is also great for
surface area for bacteria but also creates a "high speed" zone where flow
is high as the baffle is a bottle-neck in the system -- this area is great for
tunicates and other filter feeders that like high flow but do not need light.
The first area of rockwork where the water falls is not submerged in water. This is the main bacteria filter, then the baffle filters with
tunicates and dusters and other organisms feeding and further cleaning the water. Lastly, you have the are where the pumps are
on the other side of the baffle. These rocks will stay submerged and will harbor the shrimp -- like mysids and gammarus - and be
close to the pump where they can be swept away into the main tank. This is a very low cost, high efficient way to upgrade
tunicates and dusters and other organisms feeding and further cleaning the water. Lastly, you have the are where the pumps are
on the other side of the baffle. These rocks will stay submerged and will harbor the shrimp -- like mysids and gammarus - and be
close to the pump where they can be swept away into the main tank. This is a very low cost, high efficient way to upgrade
| Converting a wet-dry filter into a refugium is easy ! |
| There are many ways to create a refugium. |
your system into an ecosystem.
You might add macroalgae and a light
over the side where the pumps are but
you would have to raise the water level
in the refugium. You would need to
perform more maintenance as the light
will grow more life and the pumps will
become encrusted and need regular
cleaning. I typically use this set up on
a system that already has macroalgae
in it. The wet-dry conversion tends to
be small and not great if you want to
create a huge ecosystem with macro
outside the main tank. But if your
wanting more bugs and have macro
already in the system -- like a seahorse
tank or an mandarin set up -- then this
works excellent!
You might add macroalgae and a light
over the side where the pumps are but
you would have to raise the water level
in the refugium. You would need to
perform more maintenance as the light
will grow more life and the pumps will
become encrusted and need regular
cleaning. I typically use this set up on
a system that already has macroalgae
in it. The wet-dry conversion tends to
be small and not great if you want to
create a huge ecosystem with macro
outside the main tank. But if your
wanting more bugs and have macro
already in the system -- like a seahorse
tank or an mandarin set up -- then this
works excellent!
| Create a refugium with a seperate tank and expand into a complete ecosystem ! |
Here is a 40 gallon tank set up as a
refuge for a 120 mixed reef.
refuge for a 120 mixed reef.
