Algae Reactor vs Refugium: Which Is Better?

After 15 months, i've sold my algae reactor in favour of going back to a refugium. So why did I do that and what are the pros and cons of each...?
CFL grow lamp - amzn.to/2Rjqyjn
LED grow lamp - www.fastlight.co.uk/acatalog/...

[@braveheartreefer525]

Great information Alex

[@ttravreefsaquatics8354]

Nice video, I really love my sump personally, it’s been doing great for me😎

[@parkerbenz]

Setting up a 20l sump to hold all of my equipment, which will be below my display. It will then be pumped up, above the display to a 40g breeder that will be a fuge. I had the option to use a 75g as a fuge instead of the 40g, but decided it might be a bit much.

[@plootsa]

You made the right decision

[@stadt-mensch6302]

Very good choice.

[@thereefinrican]

I like the refugium better. I have the light right over my refuge area and have little spill over with the light on my Red Sea max 650. 👍🏻

[@lunes-1]

I dont have sump,so just using a breeding box as hang on the back refugium.Great video👍

[@josephcruz2950]

Did not think of that lol gonna try it

[@alfst5546]

Unfortunately I don’t have room for a refugium soI had no choice but to have a reactor, I find it works well and often see my fish darting about when the lights are off, obviously chasing after copepods, granted the don’t grow that big and so they do often get swept out if the reactor and into the tank.

[@dirtydogsanddiesel]

Cracking video. I had refugiums for 10 years or so until i took a break from the hobby for 4 years. When i came back i bought a Ea 1200 tank and got the alr1 with a sicce pump. Have to say i have been impressed, however if i had a sump big enough for carbon,phos,skimmer and return I would probably have a refugium again but i dont. My biggest gripe about the tank is the small sump.

[@ReefDork]

I loved my EaReef 1200. But I didn't like the water volume for a 4 footer (tank too low). And I agree on the sump.

[@dirtydogsanddiesel]

@@ReefDork I should have known better and gone with a custom. Problem is i paid £1400 for it and now im not willing to take the financial loss to replace ...not yet anyway lol

[@ReefDork]

Yep! The tank isn't important anyway, it's what you make of it that counts.

[@natalbreefing5934]

Thanks again for the vids man. I love my pax bellum in the nano and I think of I upsized the tank I will probably spend the cash on the biggest unit and dry plumb it because for me, the chaeto everywhere and the algae in the sump is too painful... I think this hobby is split into 2 types. The “I want certain fish and coral” crew and the “I want a certain level of maintenance and will keep livestock accordingly” crew. I am the second 🤣. Thanks again mate.

[@ReefDork]

Pax Bellum seem to be the Rolls Royce of the algae reactor world! I definitely think dry plumbing them is the way to go. And I'd go back to an algae reactor if I got a smaller tank.

[@natalbreefing5934]

The Reef Dork so at what point in the hobby do you downsize? Bankruptcy? 🤣

[@richyowen6540]

I have both reactor as a booster so it's a great idea to use refugem and a algae reactor

[@fuffoon]

I just bought the big Grotech for a very good price. Not cheap, but far less than its retail price. The refuge space in the sump is rock. I thought about changing but everything is stable so I'm going to keep the sump as it is. Light spill over and easy placement is why I chose reactor. While I am curious about its effect on Ph, Nitrates and Phosphates, my biggest curiosity is if I will see a visible difference in nuisance algaes and diatoms.

[@dillonsahadeo520]

Nice tank

[@bradsimpson8724]

By 2:30, I already knew they weren't for me. My rule, after too many hard lessons, is that I don't want to spend more time maintaining the tank than I do enjoying it, and I'm less likely to neglect maintenance if it's quick, simple, and I get to stay mostly dry. I bet that pulling apart an algae reactor isn't terribly difficult or time-intensive, but I'm equally willing to bet tuning a light on an algae reactor and yanking out a handful of chaeto every so often is quicker and easier. And if it saves me some money(and having to find yet another plug on my power bar), that never hurts - coral frags aren't cheap!

[@oz969]

Great video! Could you have the skimmer first and refugium second in that peninsula sump?

[@ReefDork]

Possibly, but I think it's better to have the skimmer after the chaeto to allow the chaeto to feed on more nutrients. And there's no algae comb after the skimmer section (not that the algae comb I do have does much good 🤦‍♂️)

[@rudra7615]

"keeping water, not fish and corals"- Alex This is so profound.. And so true

[@Dvearncombe]

Thanks for sharing your experience. How have you found unwanted algae growth in your sump now (as the light isn't well contained)?

[@ReefDork]

Nothing too bad so far but that'll probably change over time. My skimmer gets coralline algae and my previous sumps have ended up with a bit of algae on the glass after a long enough time, but nothing worth worrying about.

[@christiancorals816]

iam going to be setting up my first algae reactor next week I do no that you have to run it on a reverse cycle when my lights go off in my main tank then the algae reactor light comes on but dose reactor still needs to be running constantly

[@thereefaholic]

I wound up ditching my Reactors as well. I found that if you have any issues in your tank such as cyano or dinoflagellates, Or any other bacterial issue, the algae reactor does a nice job collecting it. And when it does this the cheato doesn’t grow

[@ReefDork]

Interesting observation 👍

[@RobMcGrath0]

I've noticed this too and wondered if this is a bottle neck in the system for algae reactor/chaeto growth performance, i intended to clean the reactor every 3-4days as an experiment, however, i never got around to that....

[@hughjanus1135]

What do you use now ?

[@thereefaholic]

Straight up fuge. .

[@drdurso3114]

Dear Dork: this is EXACTLY the type of vid that will REALLY help reefers. To me, this type of vid is pretty much the opposite of the BRS B.S. that floods YT. BRS isn't doing anyone any favors. Well, maybe they help the rich. Like in this vid - you're not pushing (hard) the $500 reaactor. I love watching your stuff. Thank you and happy new year!

[@ReefDork]

Thanks man, appreciate it 🙏

[@GuruNick]

I couldn’t disagree with you more Dr Durso. BRS does amazing investigations on things that otherwise nobody would have the budget or inclination to explore. Just today I wondered how long I should be leaving my mixed salt water in the container. Low and behold, BRS did this work for me.. and had the answer for my brand salt mix and 8 others. No charge to me. BRS does us all favors, and I think it’s wild you would suggest otherwise. It’s marketing for them, yes - but also free information. Show some appreciation! That said, Dork I love your channel too and have learned a lot from your experiences! Thank you and keep the vids coming!

[@drdurso3114]

@@GuruNick Well Nick - I do appreciate greatly all that BRS does.. as you've mentioned. That said - I'm a normal run of the mill retiree and the vast majority of the equipment they stress is beyond the reach of all but the most dedicated.. such as someone really into the corals. For a lightly loaded mixed system, you just don't need anything near the top tier of equipment. One must pick and choose.. and I'm afraid that many newcomers may be so turned off at the cost that they'll shy away before realizing that most of the BRS equipment reviews are for the experienced coral keeper. Just my opinion. But yeah.. their in-depth scientific studies are beyond value. Agreed

[@GuruNick]

Dr Durso I hear your point. It does become easy to get caught up in the “I need this” mentality in reefing, and gear madness can for sure get out of hand or be intimidating to newcomers.

[@joedavies1524]

What substrate are you using Alex,? It looks great!

[@ReefDork]

Ati fiji sand 🙂

[@Kenny_Edmonton]

I have an AIO waterbox 50.3 and I’m looking at an algae reactor as I have no sump. I could do chaeto in one of the AIO chambers. Or get an hob refugium. I don’t know what way to go

[@tom-andrethomsen]

You can't really expect a CFL light refugium to compete with an LED light algae reactor, even if identically sized. I refer you to BRS, that have several vids about this exact topic.

[@Darren20159]

the ufo grow lights are £22 on e bay.

[@Dvearncombe]

What were the No3 and Po4 levels in your bigger tank (where you struggled to get good cheato growth)?

[@ReefDork]

I can't remember now - I might mention it in one of the other alr1 videos but I can't remember off the top of my head. Definitely above 0 if that's what you're wondering.

[@rudra7615]

Have you got an update on this? How is your refugium? Tunze has a algae reactor now that looks incredible and easy to manage

[@ReefDork]

It's doing great - here's the latest - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKO4f613rLprkJY. I'm actually using the lights that come with the Tunze mar. They're great.

[@alfst5546]

Hi Alex, can you tell me please, what colour light is best for an algae reactor ? Some show bright white some show a move type colour and I can’t seem to find out which gives the best growth 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ReefDork]

In my experience, the purple grow lights are much better

[@cezar050681]

Great vit mate. Is that cyano in your sump and refugium? Or is coraline algae?

[@ReefDork]

Cyano. I've been battling it for a while but it's actually started to reduce quite significantly since I put the refugium/CFL lamp in 😁

[@cezar050681]

U know that cyano is coming when nitrats and phosphates are low? U can kill cyano with chemi clean nice, easy and fast.

[@ReefDork]

My chemi clean arrived today! In a slightly battered box from the States...

[@cezar050681]

I ordred mine from ebay. Don't overdose it and keep it 48 hours, after a big water change and activated carbon in the sump, the skimmer will overflow for another week but the cyano will be gone!

[@christiancorals816]

Hi can you put the ALR 1 Algae Light Reactor in the sump as I seen you did it kind regards Christian

[@ReefDork]

Yes, in or out is fine.

[@Pika_Gabe]

3 years ago? That was 2019. Let that sink in.

[@SanMartan]

Hey man in your opinion would you say it's best having the refugium after the protein skimmer to try stopping the skimmer taking out your pods or does it not make a big difference? Thanks

[@ReefDork]

I've seen people debate this endlessly but I'm not convinced it matters either way. Any time I see copepods, they're crawling on the rocks or glass so I doubt many will end up in the skimmer, but even if they do, loads will still survive

[@SanMartan]

@@ReefDork thanks for the help

[@stevesolo16]

"Kee-Tow." I finally checked. I always thought the "Ch" was pronounced "K." For a FULL, no holds barred, lab test, you need to watch this video LINK: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqOUomh4oNuCldE This should answer EVERY question you may have on this subject. The question, regarding long overhead lights, has been addressed, in depth. It is NOT the length, it is (cliche warning) the intensity and how you use it. Tight, pinpoint style lights, like the Kissel brand is lower electric output and has more "beam" depth. Check the link.Cheers!

[@Val_Halla777]

Yep 👍...less maintenance approach is a great call. That’s the first I’ve heard it pronounced ‘Cheeto’. Is that what you guys call it on that side of the pond?...or is that ‘ReefDork specific’? Cheers 🍻

[@ReefDork]

Most pronounce it chee-toe over here, yeah. I've recently started pronouncing it kay-toe though cos I think you guys have got it right! Echinata, chelated etc. I recently found out 'conch' is pronounced 'conk'!

[@leem270]

Looking to start a refugium aswell do you have any tips on which light to get?

[@ReefDork]

If you have space, a 125w CFL lamp with reflector is a fantastic option. If not, you can get LED lights that will do a great job. There are options from Kessil and soon AI but I doubt they'll do a better job. I've put some links in the description for you 👍

[@leem270]

I have a mini reef 120 just like you had, I still haven’t upgraded the lights from the standard that come with the mini reef so the refeugium light don’t need to be crazy just enough to grow the chaeto

[@happstreeservice1147]

Ai is coming out with a new refuge light

[@joshavila1176]

Can you actually keep a pods/photo/zooplankton population in your reactor? I’m eyeing the 3181 Tunze

[@ReefDork]

I've heard other people have been able to, but I didn't have any luck.

[@johnathanmichaels5249]

Refugium all the way if you have decent space underneath! (Coral12g kid has a good short video on setting up simple but very efficient method). Any one use mangrove in their refugium too?.....

[@Guacamole44479]

Wondering how to control excessive algae growth outside of the refugium. Any ideas anyone?! Are there some really good LED lights that don't have much light spread, for example?

[@ReefDork]

Have a look at this one. It's waterproof so you can have it close to the water which will reduce spread kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIXXm6SPhN6ircU

[@al44tec]

If you have a stronger light in the refuge then it can out compete the main display. Only issue I have is ultra low nutrient levels, which some of the corals don't like at times. Just a balance. But not too difficult.

[@SA8N]

does the wall paper help the tank?

[@oscardbedoya]

A BioDenitrator is a pot better than a refugium or an appearance reactor. No worries and no maintenance.

[@ReefDork]

Never used one myself but sounds good 👍

[@dennisdonovan2735]

Try a algae turf scrubber 0 nitrates 0 phosphates the absolute best

[@ReefDork]

Never had one but they do sound good. I've never understood why one of the big manufacturers don't make one. 0 n&p wouldn't work in my system though. If it drops to that level, I buy more fish 😁

[@dennisdonovan2735]

@@ReefDork they are easy to make Google them it's a constant growing hair algae with a constant light and water flow endlessly consuming nutrient waist of n03 nitrate and p0x4 phosphate

[@marcelrodriguez2067]

0 nutrients is horrible dude, thats how i got dinos.

[@nietrelevant3338]

Algea reactors are so easy to diy i don't even get why people would buy them.

[@nietrelevant3338]

Also getting a white box the size of your refugim putting it on your refugium upside down and cutting a hole through it at the top for your light does not only concentrate the light but also removes light spill

[@bonsai_republic]

А скраббер еще эффективнее. А вообще, у меня и скраббер и водорослевик трудятся совместно.

[@ReefDork]

🤔

[@MrGibspoon]

Something like "But a scrubber is effective"...then Never you have scrubber and water something or other///difficulties....." My Russian is very limited!! @@ReefDork

[@ReefDork]

Excellent work. I've never had a scrubber but they do sound good.

[@jjj14]

When U have the space for a refugium, the benefits of a reactor seemed insignificant.

[@quadlawnmowerman]

looks like you have a pretty bad cyno outbreak.....

[@kingreef2160]

U bought an overpriced so called algae reactor instead of diy and whine on youtube

[@ReefDork]

No whining - it's a good bit of kit that served me well, I just decided to go back to refugiums 🙂

[@tomengland5082]

Did you even watch the video?