refugiums

[smaug]

Im thinking about one. I wont have an undertank bigger version as my tank is not drilled and I distrust anything that would be so disrupted by a power outage.Im looking at this one,would it offer and real advantages in only a 5 gal package?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3618

[Fishguy2727]

If setup right a sump with HOB overflow won't be bothered by a power outage at all. The benefit to a sump is you can actually see and mess with it, but it is also a lot larger.

A HOB fuge is definitely better than no fuge at all. The problem I have found with the is that you can't see them so you don't know what you need to do, if anything.

What size tank is this going on?
Do you have a skimmer? (They have a HOB skimmer/fuge combo.)

[smaug]

So far in the little bit of research I have done it seems that most say a hob ref is too small to be of any real benefit. Right now I don't have a skimmer but will be getting a hob reef octopus 3 chamber soon. I'm not sure what you mean by you can't see the hang on refugium? Maybe you refer to that if it were on the back? My tank is a 58 gal with an xp3 and a good amount of chemical filtration. Thanks for the help fishguy!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Yeah, I'm pretty much in agreement that a 5gal refugium really isn't much help. Honestly, I haven't really seen any fuge make that big of a difference. There are those that swear by them and claim they make a great difference, and the science is sound, however IME, a properly setup reef tank should have no need for one. IMO, the biggest benefit to a fuge comes in having an area for things like pods to grow.

[Fishguy2727]

Yes, I do mean that when it hangs on the back you can't physically see into it so you have no idea how things are going, when it needs to be trimmed, etc.

I do agree though that for the money, on most tanks, it simply isn't worth the hassle. A lot of live rock and a good water change schedule will be all that is needed. If you get to the point where you want to get 5ppm nitrate down to undetectable, maybe.

[smaug]

Thanks fellas. It doesn't seem like money well spent.

[Dave66]

More water volume in a system the better. Too many benefits in using refugiums than to discount them as not worth it.

Dave

[smaug]

More water volume in a system the better. Too many benefits in using refugiums than to discount them as not worth it.

Dave

Even as little as 5 gallons?

[Dave66]

For nutrient export via macro algae, and copepod production, yes, even a 5 gallon 'fuge. Since both fish and inverts eat 'pods', a refugium continually adds them and their nauplii.

Dave

[smaug]

I see they suggest using 'fiji mud" or "miracle mud" as a substrate. Is that gimick or really beneficial? Would packing the fuge with lots of macroalgae be the proper way to get the most from it? Would a light be needed on it?