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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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05-29-2002, 11:25 PM
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#1
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In the desert
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Laveen, Az
Posts: 207
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limits of a refuguim
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"Waking up at 6PM, Thats so rock and roll".......
Kirk Hammett within minutes of meeting James Hetfield of Metallica
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05-29-2002, 11:31 PM
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#2
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,156
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Well organics is a loose term, yes they will remove nitrates and orthophosphates and such, but depending on what species of macro algaes you use , you may get some macro based organics(the cause of yellow water), so given the proper ratio of refugium to tank size, and a good water change schedule, plus maybe carbon and or skimming, one could get a nice balance going
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Cowboy is a verb, not a noun
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05-30-2002, 11:25 AM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Burlingame, CA
Posts: 85
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I was just thinking about a refugium....
How efficient are they at removing nitrates. I know this depends on the amount of macroalgae, light, waterflow, etc..., but from a practiccal standpoint.... Say you have a 10g refugium on a 55g tank.... Say the refugium is stocked with caulerpa and lit well.... Will this really make a huge difference as far as nitrate levels and frequency of water changes...is it worth it??
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that rug really tied the room together, did it not?
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05-30-2002, 12:59 PM
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#4
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Hail to the Redskins!!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Gresham, OR
Posts: 1,133
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I got a question...
If my nitrate levels are always reading zero, do I need a refugium? Are there nitrates on a different level that don't read on the test because they are in some stage of being broke down?
Where's Tom when you need him!!
Thanks
-Big Dave
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There's nothing like feeding your starfish for your party guests!! 
120 Reef
SDSBBNR (sorta deep sand bed but not really)
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05-30-2002, 02:21 PM
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#5
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Peoria IL
Posts: 136
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Big Dave - the original purpose of a refugium is to provide a place for lots of little critters to grow and reproduce in the absence of predators, thus maintaining such populations in the main tank, and providing a food source for fish and corals.
The process of harvesting algae for nutrient export has become the main reason many people set up a refugium, but that isn't necessarily it's only benefit.
So, if you're nitrates are zero then you may not need to set up a refuge for export purposes (although you could still be having nutrient probs even if nitrates test zero, and algae remove much more than just nitrogen) But you may still want to set one up increase diversity in your tank, and as a food source for fish and corals.......and because they are fun!
Dan
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05-30-2002, 03:32 PM
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#6
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Hail to the Redskins!!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Gresham, OR
Posts: 1,133
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If the refugium will keep me from cleaning the front glass once a week, count me in!!  I do like the idea of a place for my pods, snails, and other such critters to 'have some privacy'. I don't have to many things that munch critters right now, but I would like to replace my Flasher wrasse that jumped out of the tank. Time to start planning! 
-Big Dave
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There's nothing like feeding your starfish for your party guests!!
120 Reef
SDSBBNR (sorta deep sand bed but not really)
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