what is FUGE

[jake32010]

what is FUGE? i have seen a lot of people saying it please help me understand it.

[seapug]

slang/short for Refugium-- separate tank or compartment from the display used to grow macroalgae for nutrient export (macro utilizes junk that would otherwise fuel nuisance algae) and growth of beneficial microfauna (pods, etc) that get "fed" to the tank via circulation to main system. Basically a "living" filter.

Here's a site with good info/explanation:
http://wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm

[MR PALM BEACH]

refugium - google It, plenty of Info there.

[Sk8r]

a small separate tank, or section of your sump, containing sand/liverock/ and a macro algae, ideally cheatomorpha. It siphons out what makes algae grow [phosphates] and cleans your water of those elements so algae doesn't grow in your display tank; it also grows/breeds small crustaceans called copepods that get through your return pump, enter your main tank, and feed your fish, particularly fish like mandarins and other dragonets.

[jake32010]

can i see some pictures of your refugium? so i can understand it better.

[o0jmadr0x0o]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/o0jmadr0x0o/DSCN0131-1.jpg
my version

[jake32010]

how does it get water from your filter and then to you tank?

[Sk8r]

My fuge is in the 2nd chamber of my sump: water comes in via the normal means [gravity], then flows through the sump/fuge area, then into the pump chamber, which has both the return pump [sends water back UP to the display tank]. I have my sump in the basement [I drilled hose-holes in the floor of my living room] and so I have plenty of room for a big sump [big help in maintaining balance of chemistry! and in having room for fuge and skimmer and kalk reactor and all]. It also means the noisy pump is not in the livingroom.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/Sk8r10/januarytomove598.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/Sk8r10/januarytomove557.jpg http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/Sk8r10/januarytomove589.jpg

The first picture shows my sump, with lines coming in from overhead, with the skimmer sitting on eggcrate above the sump [freeing up chamber 2 to be a fuge]. The third chamber is the pump chamber.

The second picture shows how I ran hose from the living room through the floor.

The third picture shows my tank during setup.

[jake32010]

thanks

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11131681#post11131681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MR PALM BEACH
refugium - google It, plenty of Info there.