Pro/ Cons to using a refugium in FO tank

[matty]

In the process of setting up a marine FO. I'm torn between using a wet/dry or a refugium. It seems to be the trend to go with a refugium. I understand the nitrates are the issue in a reef tank with the wet dry but not the fO tank.

I'm looking for some help. 125 gallon tank with a prefilter.

thank you.

 

[DonW]

For FO a wet dry is fine and will do more than a refugium.


Don

 

[Mugg1977]

I'm in the process of designing a 170 FOWLR. I am also toying between fuge or wet/dry.

DonW, please elaborate on your response.

Thank you.

 

[Planet Reef]

I'm not going to speak for Don. However, Ammonia is more of an issue in a FO tank or FOWLR than Nitrate is. A Wet/Dry does a great job at converting Ammonia into Nitrites and then Nitrites into Nitrates. A refugium would primarily be for removing Nitrates as opposed to handling Ammonia and Nitrites.

 

[DonW]

I'm not going to speak for Don. However, Ammonia is more of an issue in a FO tank or FOWLR than Nitrate is. A Wet/Dry does a great job at converting Ammonia into Nitrites and then Nitrites into Nitrates. A refugium would primarily be for removing Nitrates as opposed to handling Ammonia and Nitrites.

Hey when did your change your name? My thoughts exactly, thanks Curt.

Don

 

[Krish]

I agree with Curt and Don on the wet/dry's as well for FO setups! Wet/dry's are very efficient at what they do

Hey when did your change your name?

Don...Curt has multiple personalities so his login name depends on who is is today

 

[Herefishyfishy]

The plants can add some vitamins, etc IMHO. They can be in the tank. I used to keep a fish and some softy tank for many many years, loved having calurpa. Made the tank look like a lagoon

 

[Planet Reef]

I agree with Curt and Don on the wet/dry's as well for FO setups! Wet/dry's are very efficient at what they do



Don...Curt has multiple personalities so his login name depends on who is is today

LOL!!! Don, I'm temporarily running a LFS. When I'm there, I use this username. When I'm elsewhere, I'm still the same annoying Curtswearing you're accustomed to.

 

[kgross]

The best would be to do both the wet/dry and the fuge. (algae filter). The wet dry will handle the ammonia/nitrite issues from the FO tank, while the algae filter will help keep the nitrate down some and give you macro to feed the tank and help provide live pods to the tank for the fish to eat. There really is no down side to a fuge other than space. The down side to a wet dry is no denitrafication.

Kim