Is it possible or beneficial to have a refugium in a FO system?

[Brett S]

Hi all,

I need to make an auxillary sump for my protien skimmer. While I'm at it, I thought about incorporating a small refugium. My current system is about 100g with dead rock and only a few fish.

I realize that a refugium is very advanatageous for a reef tank, but haven't seen much about it in a FO setup. I have concerns that amonia and nitrite fluctuations due to the fish population might be damaging to the macro algea. However, since I do not intend to keep any aggressive/carnivorous fish, I think I might be able to do it.

The DT is only 48" wide, so I have to stick with the smaller fish. I plan on a Mimic Lemonpeel tang (if I can find one, if not I'll probably end up with a Yellow Eye Kole tang since they stay relatively small and they sell them at my LFS), a Ocellaris Clown, a algea Blenny, a Coral Beauty, a Flame Angel, a Foxface and maybe a Wrasse.

With this bio load, what are your opinions. Also, is this bioload too much for a 90g tank?

Thanks!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Hi all,

I need to make an auxillary sump for my protien skimmer. While I'm at it, I thought about incorporating a small refugium. My current system is about 100g with dead rock and only a few fish.

I realize that a refugium is very advanatageous for a reef tank, but haven't seen much about it in a FO setup. I have concerns that amonia and nitrite fluctuations due to the fish population might be damaging to the macro algea. However, since I do not intend to keep any aggressive/carnivorous fish, I think I might be able to do it.

The DT is only 48" wide, so I have to stick with the smaller fish. I plan on a Mimic Lemonpeel tang (if I can find one, if not I'll probably end up with a Yellow Eye Kole tang since they stay relatively small and they sell them at my LFS), a Ocellaris Clown, a algea Blenny, a Coral Beauty, a Flame Angel, a Foxface and maybe a Wrasse.

With this bio load, what are your opinions. Also, is this bioload too much for a 90g tank?

Thanks!

I'm no expert but I'm sure it would hurt to have a fuge in a FO. Refugiums are employed to either absorb nitrates (via macro algae), convert nitrates through denitrification (via a deep sand bed), or often times a combination of both. It also helps with the absorption/ conversion of phosphate and helps to reduce Ph swings associated with oxygen and photosynthesis. A refugium should have little impact on nitrification (other than providing additional surface area for the bacteria to colonize. A cycled system with the correct amount of live rock should never have ammonia or nitrite fluctuations. If it were my tank, I would add a fuge. FO systems don't usually have to worry about nitrates but my goal would still to have them as low as possible.
I can't comment on your stocking list as I have no experience keeping many of the fish you listed.
FWIW, I do have a Kole Tang in my 48" 75 gallon tank. I debated on getting one for a long time before deciding to give it a try. The information I gathered on them is that they reach around 8' as adults. I don't think a 48" tank is big enough for a 8" fish but I've read that many people keep them in similar sized aquariums. Weather or not I could consider that information reliable for the well being of the tang isn't certain to me. Stress and aggression were my two concerns. I finally decided (wright or wrong) to get one, closely monitor it for stress as it grows and promised myself that I would find it a suitable home if I cannot provide for it properly. I'm hoping this particular fish doesn't mind a smaller tank but am always ready to remove it if it does.

[Brett S]

Thanks James.

By the way, I used to go through Gilroy a lot. Neat town. Lot's of garlic stuff.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

No problem Brett.
Gilroy is an okay place to live. Fairly quiet. The garlic smell from the farms drive me nuts though. Especially in the summer. At least I can be sure there are no vampires within miles!