What is the point of a refugium?

A refugium is generally used to provide delicate species with safety, protecting them from the larger fish in the main tank. Refugiums are often used to grow copepods as food for their aquarium fish, or to raise delicate species of fish or coral.

Do you need a refugium for copepods?

Copepods will live and reproduce in a refugium with some of the population making its way through the sump and back up to the display tank via the return pump. These animals are often a food source for both fish and corals.

Is a refugium necessary for a reef tank?

Keeping a saltwater refugium allows macroalgae to grow without fish eating it or the macroalgae overrunning your main reef tank. Another use for a saltwater refugium is to provide a place for copepods and other isopods to live and multiply.

Are refugiums worth it?

Having a refugium is definitely worth it. It really helps the pod population in the tank and macro algae is great for nutrient export.

Can I put fish in my refugium?

Fish, snails, shrimp, corals, crabs, corals, and copepods can all be put in the refugium. Though all of these animals can live in the refugium doing so could impact the goals you may have for your refugium.

What is best to put in a refugium?

What will you put in the refugium? You can use plain sand which you can buy new or use left over sand. Another option is refugium mud, which is said to be better than regular sand. You could leave it at that or go further and buy rock or use left over rock.

What should I have in my refugium?

Best items to put in a refugium:

  • Macroalgae such as sea lettuce or chaeto.
  • Live rock rubble or manufactured biological media.
  • Microfauna such as copepods and amphipods.
  • A powerful refugium light with a means of automatically controlling its on/off cycle.

How do you maintain a refugium?

Maintenance on your refugium is simple. Harvest the macroalgae every two to four weeks depending on how fast it grows. That’s about it. Simple, easy, and very effective.

What is the difference between a refugium and a sump?

Sumps are primarily used for the storage of items of system equipment and can allow hobbyists to customize their filtration setup. Refugia are a little more versatile and can be utilized for improving biological filtration, breeding live foods, growing plants, and more.

Are Refugiums worth it?

What can live in a refugium?

What animals can I put in the refugium? Fish, snails, shrimp, corals, crabs, corals, and copepods can all be put in the refugium. Though all of these animals can live in the refugium doing so could impact the goals you may have for your refugium.