How does a refugium work?

[Sueet]

Ok, I know that sounds like a really dumb question, but really, what I mean is not quite the way it came out. What I am wondering, is... Almost everything I read about refugiums seems to imply that the refugium is an excellent place for small creatures (amphipods, copepods, brine shrimp, mysid shrimp, etc...)

What I am wondering is ..... HOW in the world do you keep the tiny things IN the refugium, and not pumped right into your tank?? And in designing a refugium, what particular part of it controls this particular thing?

I am setting up 3 different tanks, and it looks as though I am going to build a refugium for at least the 80gal and 90gal... not sure yet on the 50, since I may keep it for curing rock for awhile.....

So for the two I am going to build, what is the formula for number of baffles, placement of baffles... does it even need baffles if it is only a refugium? If not, how does one go about plumbing it so that the tiny things don't get perpetually shaken up from the water movement?

Thanks to anyone who successfully made it through reading all my prattling

[golfish]

The idea is for them to multiply in the fuge and slowly make their way into the tank to feed the fish and other critters. Keep the flow low through the fuge. I have about a 30 gal fuge and I probably put about 200-300 gph though it.

Good luck

[Sueet]

The idea is for them to multiply in the fuge and slowly make their way into the tank to feed the fish and other critters. Keep the flow low through the fuge. I have about a 30 gal fuge and I probably put about 200-300 gph though it.

Good luck

So... in order to have "low flow" through the refugium, it has to be plumbed separately from the sump, assuming they are different tanks? How do you manage "low flow" if you have part of your "sump" made into a refugium? Is that what the "baffles" are for? Yikes, I sound dumb, even to me, lol.

[Mekong]

It can be a higher flow if you are not concerned with feeding amphipods to the tank.

If you are just interested in nutrient export you could grow cheato in a higher flow environment, ie sump.

[Reefland]

So... in order to have "low flow" through the refugium, it has to be plumbed separately from the sump, assuming they are different tanks? How do you manage "low flow" if you have part of your "sump" made into a refugium? Is that what the "baffles" are for? Yikes, I sound dumb, even to me, lol.

A refugium can be sucessfully incorporated into a sump byt splitting the drain line (if a single drain from the tank) or by placing a dual drain into different areas of the filter. For example, if the refugium is the first compartment in the filter, 1 drain line drains into it and the other into the next compartment which may hold a skimmer or other equipment. This reduce the flow that is draining from the tank in half for the refugium while still not jeopardizing total flow throughout the system.

Baffles in a filter system like this are to ensure micro bubbles are diffused before entering the final compartment with the return pump so they are not returned to the display; they are an eyesore. A minimum of 3 baffles are suggested with an over-under-over configuration; although I have used under-over-under sucessfully.

Scott Z.

[Sueet]

Thank you! You're so very helpful My critters will love you ... whenever I get them