are refugiums outdated?

[ralph atl]

wildernet;787161 wrote: I have a whole 20 gallon for a fuge that is in series behind the frag tank and before the sump. I find it a cool environment on its own. I have pods and a population of mysid shrimp that feeds the display tank. I have several types of macro algae. I don't have any reactors other than calcium in a heavy sps thank but I have been thinking about adding a couple.

Nice to hear from someone that been around.....too...

 

[markl]

I'm setting up my new sump with no fuge.

 

[jbdreefs]

So, to those that think a fuge is not enough by itself, are you of the opinion that fuges can be replaced by heavier filtration through media reactors, or is there a certain reason why one would still want one?

 

[ripped tide]

I like my refugium. I don't have any algae down there, only matrix and mangroves. I do have a reactor that I use to run phosguard and ROX 0.8. I have a mantis shrimp who lives down there, a sixline wrasse, and a TON of pods. The fuge is coming up on a year, and I haven't swapped out the matrix. I will probably start swapping some out when the fuge hits it's birthday.

 

[ralph atl]

Carbon & GFO will last a week or two at most as the bacteria will coat both and render them them useless....besides the fact if you phates are high it might be saturated in days.....

 

[falos]

if you wont dragonites they are good to have

 

[ripped tide]

The aluminum oxide lasts a little longer than gfo. I just checked my po4 (0.02), and the last time I swapped it out was about two weeks ago.

 

[ff337]

reeferman;787150 wrote: :up:you knew who i was referring to huh Ralph!lol
i agree,fuges alone are not enough for sps tanks.

Heck I'm running my system without a sump, no pump, no socks, no chaeto, no lights. Just sand, water, rock, powerheads and special blend. :tongue:

 

[reeferman]

a little different situation there Joseph!hehe
a refugium can be replaced with mechanical filtration as far as nutrient export goes but thats not all that a refugium supplies.mine mainly acts as a pod hotel for my wrasses.