MORE INFO ON REFUGIUMS AND SUMPS:

A refugium is a body of water separate from the main tank display but connected within it where large populations of organisms (plants and animals) can develop freely without being preyed upon by fishes. When setting up a salt water aquarium, one of the best ways of filtration is the addition of a refugium. Not only does it help remove nutrients out of the water, but also serves as a sanctuary for micro-organisms to flourish and reproduce. Also the addition of a deep sand bed in a refugium helps serve as a de-nitrifying base for your aquarium. These small sanctuaries for small micro-fauna, copepods, mini brittle stars, and many other small organisms also provide a live food source for your tank inhabitants. There are many benefits to refugiums and should think seriously about incorporating one to your aquarium sooner or later.

One very important quality of a refugium is the exportation of nutrients out of the tank. What are nutrients and how are they exported? Nutrients are also known as Nitrates and Phosphates. Anyone who is familiar with these nutrients and how destructive they may be to an aquarium knows the importance of removing them from your system is most important. Plant life, also known as Macro-algae, will dissolve nitrates and phosphates in your water column. It uses these nutrients to grow and thrive, and most macro algae will grow at an astonishing rate. Once the macro algae has overtaken the entire refugium, just go ahead and prune it and watch it grow and dissolve more nutrients. One of the more popular macro algae on the market today is known as Chaetomorpha, (Chaeto)  it grows very fast, will not attach itself to anything, and most importantly will not go asexual. When a macro algae goes asexual, basically it is dying and releasing all the nutrients it has dissolved over time back in to the water. This can be very fatal to your livestock,  Chaetomorpha algae is probably the best bet for your refugium. This is by far the best addition any aquarist can add to his or her refugium to remove nutrients.

The other main benefit that comes out of a refugium is the various micro-fauna and other critters that will reproduce within the macro-algae, sand and live rock. These critters are good for a few reasons, but most importantly they are great scavengers.  mysis shrimp, Copepods, mini-brittle stars, and bristle worms are very small, and can fit into the small holes and areas where snails and hermit crabs and scavengers cannot get too. Having a refugium will most defiantly help maintain or even increase the population of these small organisms in your main tank. Also having a larger population of these organisms in your main tank also adds additional live food for your livestock. Fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, snails, stars and even corals will most likely take advantage of this live food. Not only is live food more nutritional than processed food, it also gives a more natural environment to your livestock.

The addition of a refugium to any marine aquarium is extremely beneficial, with no ill side effects to worth speaking of. They are a great way to help reduce nitrates and phosphates, as well as creating a sanctuary for microorganisms and other critters. These organisms usually find a way into your main tank, adding live food for your livestock. A refugium is something that should be very seriously considered when planning your saltwater and reef aquariums!