What Constitutes a Refrugium

[schwh01]

My 40g tank has been running for 3 months now. Basics are testing fine, nitrate down to between 5-10 and shrimps, crabs, snails and mushrooms seem to be happy. My mind is now turning to matters fishy. What I'd really like is a Mandarin. I read lots of opinions and advice and it seems I'd really be best off with a "fuge" to hold a "pod pile". Only thing is I'm not really sure what a refrugium actually is. It seems to be effectively an additional tank outside the main tank but what are the specifics? Does it need lighting, airation etc. Should it be a relatively current free area? I'm running a Fluval 404 which I've removed all media from (just for added circulation really). Could this be classed as a fuge, all be it a very small one? If I just stuck some live rock rubble in the canister, would that work as a pod pile or would that be way too turbulent?

I have some space under the main tank so I could put a small tank there and pump water in and out somehow but that would be quite allot of hassle. Would I really reep enough benefit? All things considered, would I just be better off creating a little pod pile in my main tank and hope for the best? All your opinions and help are very welcome and much appreciated.

Regards
Hudson

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Hudson,

A refugium is basicly a "safe haven". You don't need to add a seprate tank to have one. You could make a pod pile inside your tank and cover it with a small fruit basket that comes from the grocery store. Or you could buy/diy one to hang inside the tank. If you add rock rubble to your canister it will grow pods but it will also collect crud and need to be cleaned which is defeating the purpose.

It is widely accepted that dragonettes shouldn't be kept in anything smaller than a 100g that has been established for at least a year. But, if your willing to culture or purchase the needed pods (and you will need alot of them) then you can keep a mandarin successfully

 

[Anonymous]

You seem to have the right idea. A refugium is a seperate tank connected to the main system. It is a place where small critters (pods and the like) can live with out predation. Their is no set specifice on wat you will need. Some just have rocks and a little light, others grow macro algae or use it as a frag tank. The gear you will need depends on what you want you will use it for.

As far as the mandarin, without a large established fuge I would not try one in a 40.