The Refugium: A Home for Your Pods by Sean TajIt just isn’t enough to say that a refugium is “a tank on a tank” or “a sump with some macroalgae in it.” When used to their full potential, refugia make for a far more dynamic—yet more stable—captive ecosystem. Though they are typically smaller in size than the main tank, refugia play a major role in supporting the very base of an aquarium system’s food pyramid. Traditionally, they are used primarily as nurseries for Nature’s basic foodstuffs, namely algae and pods. It’s pretty hard to overemphasize how important the concept of the refugium has been to marine aquarium keeping (and it is, at its heart, a concept rather than a mere piece of equipment). Many aquarists joke about how they set up their first refugium—technically as a “filter,” after their significant other demanded that they acquire no more “fish tanks.” Even so, after running a refugium for some time (and seeing the marked improvement in the health of our animals) many of us would never even consider building another system without one. Nowadays we keep a great variety of plants and animals in them, sometimes even blurring the line between display and purely utilitarian purpose. But let us not forget their nominal function! [Refugium] In the Beginning There was Light, Algae and Pods If there was a single element of system design that radically changed the way we keep marine aquaria (and certainly our odds of keeping them successfully), it was the sump. Perhaps this came about from the need to drop water to lower levels for “trickle” filters, which really began to become commonplace by the mid-1980’s. But aside from the advantages of so-called wet/dry filtration, we saw so many other boons to this technique. For example, by drawing water from the surface, much floating waste such as oils and foams could be more easily removed. Most significantly, we could move much equipment away from the main tank (where it was an unwelcome distraction from the display). As we figured out ways to centralize this clutter in our sumps, they evolved into a sort of little hidden workshop. In a sense, these consolidated clusters of gadgets became the brains of our system—the core of the filtration system, if you will. However, we did not even consider using these “extra” tanks to house living things (aside from bacteria). This all changed fairly quickly (and just as sump-based systems were becoming the norm) after reef aquarists started to hear about the work of one particularly industrious marine biologist at the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Walter Adey was already using the term refugium to refer to any space in an aquarium where certain organisms, specifically those at or near the bottom of the food chain, could subsist without being consumed by other aquarium inhabitants. Originally, this could have referred to any safe haven including deep pockets in the rock structure. But Dr. Adey went one, or two, steps further. This was an especially difficult time for marine aquarists, many of whom wanted to be reef aquarists. The major impediment to keeping (particularly stony) corals at that time was overgrowth by nuisance algae. In light of the costly failures it caused, to call benthic microalgae a “nuisance” seemed a huge understatement. In due course, we tried all sorts of things to control algal plagues. This included (1) the addition of herbivorous “pods” such as copepods and amphipods as well as (2) nutrient control via the addition of macroalgae and/or deep, denitrifying sand beds. Acting on a stroke of genius, Dr. Adey put all of these things together in a single, separate but connected tank. The experiment was wildly successful. Kept away from large herbivores such as tangs and maintained under a concentrated light source, the macroalgae thrived. The connected tank itself worked well as a settling basin, collecting detritus that provided additional nourishment for the microcrustaceans within. As their populations exploded, these protected pods steadily spilled into the main tank where they were readily consumed by small fishes and corals. This extremely effective system was immediately duplicated and improved upon by many others. The word refugium was forever after meant specifically as a pod refuge of this specific kind. The Ideal Refugium Over the course of the last few decades, the concept of the refugium hasn’t really changed very much. Let’s just say that it didn’t need to change; as it (1) focused on producing a good supply of a natural food source and (2) served well to protect algae and pods while providing them with an ideal living space, it didn’t require much improvement. That’s not to say that improvements haven’t been made to refugium materials/design. Today, for example, we have much better aquarium lighting technology. Some types are even specially designed to mangroves in Refugium grow macroalgae and are thus very well suited for use on refugia. Refugium tanks are themselves better than ever. Deluxe models such as the AlgaeBarn Triton Style Sumps by Crystal Reef Aquatics offer highly specialized spaces and fittings for certain pieces of equipment even while providing a large, dedicated compartment for use as a refugium. Additionally, there has never been a better selection of both pods and macroalgae. Best of all, the availability of quality live phytoplankton and bacterioplankton such as OceanMagik and PNS Probio™ respectively have made it even easier to maintain sizeable pod populations. So what does the future hold for the refugium? That is pretty hard to say for sure. Like so many things in the marine aquarium hobby, just when we think we’ve finally mastered something, along comes another big innovation. And it’s really the pursuit of new innovations that keeps the hobby interesting, is it not? Algae and pods will of course always be at the center of refugium keeping. Still, aquarists will perhaps work with many more species of macroalgae, copepods, phytoplankton, etc. in coming days. It is certainly possible that even more refinements of refugium design are to come. There may even be other, novel methods of refugium keeping to try out. But one thing is pretty certain at this point: refugia really, really work and they are here to stay! [Refugium]
Jason W Beguhn says July 3, 2019 at 3:11 pm I seeded my second tank with your 5280. Every two months I add a bottle of 5280 pods. Reply
Jordan pitts says July 3, 2019 at 3:19 pm I find my tank looks a lot better when my fuge is stocked with pods from algaebarn Reply
Michael says July 3, 2019 at 3:38 pm These are so overlooked, I’m surprised more people don’t set up effective ‘fuges in their systems. Reply
Compy Ginorio says July 3, 2019 at 4:51 pm A fuge without pod’s is like a garden without Rose’s. A well stabilized refugium is a great and effective tool in your tank balance. Reply
Compy Ginorio says July 3, 2019 at 4:53 pm A fuge without pods is like a garden without Rose’s. Refugium is a very important part of my system. Reply
Compy Ginorio says July 3, 2019 at 5:07 pm A fuge well establish makes a great difference in the overall Tank health. Reply
Eduardo Govea says July 3, 2019 at 7:42 pm Refugium is definitely a great addition to a reef tank. The Algeabarn refugium kits is amazing and close. Reply
Cole B Presley says July 3, 2019 at 10:59 pm I need to make a real fuge in my new tank once I get it Reply
Beth Villmow says July 4, 2019 at 8:22 am Certainly makes”natural” reef-keeping much easier and healthier for the creatures in your aquarium! Reply
John key says July 4, 2019 at 8:29 am Now I know what I’m going to do with that spare tank I have sitting around 🙂 Reply
Steven Lombardi says July 4, 2019 at 8:35 am I don’t think I will have another tank without a fuge. So helpful for so many things. Reply
artaa1988 says July 4, 2019 at 10:10 am cant wait to build a fuge for the my bigger salt tank i have in storage waiting to come to life Reply
Jose Pacheco says July 4, 2019 at 12:53 pm Now I’m thinking to star small tank just for mangrove and pods Reply
RICHARD W SMITH JR says July 4, 2019 at 4:16 pm The macro order I recieved from you was beyond expectations. Thanks again, and by the way, my girl is growing flowers from seed in the plastic Mason jars 😉 Reply
Gabriel L Nguyen says July 4, 2019 at 9:25 pm Great info since I’m trying to set up a refugium for my reef tank! Reply
CHRISTOPHER SHELTON THOMAS says July 4, 2019 at 9:48 pm after trying many other methods a sump with refugium has provided the best long term results. Reply
Steve says July 4, 2019 at 11:11 pm Is there such a thing as having too small of a tank for a refugium? Or Is it even more important? Reply
Ryan mcmillon says July 4, 2019 at 11:35 pm Thata exactly what I said no more tanks …..we go a new sump last week Reply
david says July 6, 2019 at 7:03 am I will soon be setting up a refugium, and I’m looking forward to the benefits my reef will get. Reply
Jered Hedrick says July 8, 2019 at 2:59 pm Hoping my Kessel will work wonders with our chato that is coming soon. Reply
Yakov Elizarov says July 8, 2019 at 3:56 pm Their macro algae is by far cleanest and best in market. Product packaging superb Reply
Tyler.gore.90 says July 8, 2019 at 6:43 pm My entire new build is planned around how my refugium will benefit my tank. Which at first was working too well. Reply
sdemarco62 says July 9, 2019 at 6:53 am Really thinking of moving my refugium to a seperate small tank and plumbing it into my sump. Reply
ReeferReefer says July 9, 2019 at 10:10 am I would like to see a study on using mangroves for nutrient export. Are they actually effective? Reply
WILLIAM WAHL says July 9, 2019 at 7:06 pm Great article! I have a refugium on every tank I setup! Reply
zadok jollie says July 10, 2019 at 8:34 pm After reading this I’m defiantly setting up a refugium on my next tank. Reply
Cathy robbins says July 17, 2019 at 6:12 pm Do you even have a reef if you don’t have a fuge lol Reply
JW says July 18, 2019 at 11:40 am The only thing is I don’t use a sump! Not sure I want to set one up just to grow copepods unless maybe I set up a separate tank. Reply
Allen says July 23, 2019 at 9:25 am A refugium is a must, where else are all those pods gonna hang out Reply
allison Dale lisney says July 24, 2019 at 12:05 pm On my next tank, there will definitely be a fuge! Reply
Kelly Tompkins says July 29, 2019 at 10:27 am I don’t have substrate in my refugium. After reading this article I might have to rethink my stup! Reply
Stacey says July 30, 2019 at 10:31 am I added your post to my fuge, and the overflow into my DT supports a pair of happy fat mandarins with plenty left for the other inhabitants of my tank ? Reply
Brett says July 30, 2019 at 12:11 pm A refugium is almost a must for a reef anymore. They really do help so much. Reply
Tim J says July 31, 2019 at 9:28 am Refugiums are such a great way to keep a food web in a reef tank and help manage nutrients. Reply
CHRIS MATHIS says July 31, 2019 at 10:14 am Fuges are great for filtration and fun to watch them explode with life. Reply
lawrence zapata says August 1, 2019 at 8:49 pm Im about to upgrade to a bigger tank with a sump. So refugium it is. Reply
hathcock.sam says August 1, 2019 at 10:15 pm Great reads and info for anyone in this hobby….Been in saltwater aquariums off/on since the 70’s in college….getting back in it knee deep….My oh My How things have changed….Technology…But the “Same”…..Waiting on my first order from AlgaeBarn – copepods5280 / Ocean Magik / Tigpods / Chaeto – RedOgo – Sea Lettuce….already have live sand and rock in place in my first Refugium…..and Its gonna be fun again Sam Reply
Eugene Botts says August 2, 2019 at 6:22 am I run a 36″ PM pro full of Chaeto, sand and live rock with a couple mangroves. Definitely keeps the pods healthy and keeps my nutrients low without a skimmer. Reply
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