Makeshift Refugium question

[pennrj430]

Hi everyone, pardon me if this is a dumb question, but I'm still learning. Is it possible to make a temporary "makeshift refuge"? Because I can't afford a hang on right now, and don't have a sump yet. What I mean is something like cutting a 2 litter soda bottle in half, punching a whole bunch of small holes in it, and putting some macro-algae inside, and stick it in the sand bed so fish can't get to it? Would this work to better my tank a little temporarily? Any opinions? Thanks for your help.
Ryan

[Saltz Creep]

Anything will work better than nothing. Try to put it in the path of some gentle flow.

[WaterKeeper]

One of the things you want in a refugium is a good growth of algae on the refugium's walls. This provides a good environment for copepods, amphipod and some of the other wee critters that take refuge in a refugium. Since that same algae in a soda bottle will block the light, it would be hard to maintain macro-algae in such a system.

Try our DIY Forum (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=3) for lots of homemade fuge solutions.

[Steven Pro]

You could probably easily make an in-tank refugium similar to this CPR unit,
http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/citr.html
by using a small pump, like an Aquarium Systems Mini or Micro-Jet
http://www.aquariumsystems.com/pumps.htm
and a plastic specimen container/betta home/baby fish nursery
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3847&Ne=40000&R=1824&Ntt=baby%20fish%20home&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004+2022

[pennrj430]

Thanks Waterkeeper for the link on the DIY. And thanks Steve for the other links. How much do you think that in tank refuge is going for there? Are they expensive?

[pennrj430]

Actually I just found that one on another site for $35. IYHO is this worth it, or is it a piece of junk? http://www.northcoastmarines.com/refugium.html

[Steven Pro]

To me, it is awfully small and seems kind of expensive for what you get. You could build something close using the large convalescent home/betta container and the smallest Micro-Jet for about $20.

[pennrj430]

Ok Steve, thanks for the advice. Sounds like a good project. Oh, would I have to keep 24 hour lighting on it to keep stuff alive in there? I just thought of that. Because that probably won;t be good for the rest of the tank. Again, thanks Steve..

[Steven Pro]

You don't need 24/7 lighting. It is just what some people do. With these in the tank refugiums, most people just use the regular aquarium lights.

[pennrj430]

Great, thanks again Steve.

[WaterKeeper]

No, you don't want a refugium illuminated 24/7. The pods you wish to develop are nocturnal and lighting all the time cuts into their romance. :fun1:

[ladyshark]

Now I am confused--I understand that 24/7 lighting is a must for macroalgae to prevent it from going asexual and releasing reproductive toxins that can harm your display tank.

Do you have to choose between growing pods and growing macroalgae in a refugium?

[Steven Pro]

That is mostly in regards to Caulerpa and there is no proof that it works.