Week 27: Refugiums - Utilizing Algae for a Thriving Reef Tank. | 52 Weeks of Reefing

Welcome to Week 27 of 52 Weeks of Reefing! This week we are exploring how we can use algae to our advantage in the reef tank to help combat nitrates and phosphates...with refugiums!
#BRS160
Refugiums are essentially a location in your tank (usually the sump) that allows you to provide a safe haven more micro fauna, as well as grow beneficial macro algae like chaetomorpha or caulerpa.
There are a fair share of different types of refugiums out there today, with an equal amount of opinions on how to run them.
The traditional refugiums with algae and/or live rock rubble are the most popular and effective in my experience, and some of the easiest to install and maintain.
An older technology that is starting to gain more ground again is the algae turf scrubber. This is essentially a very efficient refugium; algae is grown between two light sources on a medium with water flowing past it and then periodically harvested.
There are also a few more creative and unique options out there like cryptic refugiums. They offer a few unique benefits. A cryptic refugium is essentially a chamber that doesn't receive light, and allows for intense growth of sponges which filter the water.
Do you have a favorite refugium method you prefer to run on your reef? Let us know in the comments area down below!
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[@mcbaes72]

Watched this video a few times for refugium tips and realized it's 3.5 years later. Congrats on finding someone crazy enough to marry a reefer like you... Haha! Great sense of humor. And to film another series same day before getting married and going on your honeymoon, now that's dedication to the hobby and to us fans of your channel! Thank you.

[@mgeo25]

The 52 week series is wonderful especially for someone new (like me) to the hobby. Thank you so much!

[@Migrant2011]

These series will be the main guideline for any reefer, great job you're doing. Thanks

[@jpbsc2009]

New to this channel. Starting to implement some of your reefer knowledge in freshwater. You guys are way ahead of us.

[@abc-coleaks-info3180]

Congratulations Ryan, I hope you and the Mrs have a great time.

[@boostedbadboyzx12r31]

Congrats on the marriage. Love the video's, keep up the great work

[@zinovate1]

Wow getting married, I can't be happier for you and the rest of the Reefing community does too I know. Have a great time and the best to you my friend. Reefing is fun but the joy a wife will bring is 1000% times better. You seem like a pretty stand up guy and someone that will make your new wife happy. Lots of love for you and your wife from all of us.

[@Agr414]

Can't believe we are already more than half way through the series. Thanks for the solid info thus far.

[@WreckDiver99]

CONGRATULATIONS RYAN!!! Does she REALLY know what she's getting into??? So many say they do...

[@sigururorvaldsson1560]

Congratulations on your wedding day. Wish you both happiness and long life. Cheers

[@1amZiggy]

Congratulations on your wedding. May you both share a long and happy life together

[@jimedwards9310]

sitting back watching BRS's Ryan on a Sunday afternoon, and learning a few things .. love it :)

[@nickward9839]

CONGRATULATIONS RYAN !!!! and thanks for the video 👍👍

[@zmccllc2096]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[@rickavendano4762]

Congrats Ryan! Enjoy the well deserved break!!!

[@stevehilton7292]

Congrats mate see you soon

[@malekrhaddad]

Congrats Ryan!

[@4runna-4X]

right on, and congrats!

[@ZeroBit0]

Congratulations Man! Welcome to the club!! and.. WOW! It has to be an absolute BLAST working at BRS! Very awesome video! I cant get enough of BRS Video's. They specifically pushed me back INTO the hobby!! Thanks!

[@primoreef1454]

Congrats love the brs videos very informative and educational because of you Ryan I made the big step to start my 125 reef tank

[@TonyWinkel]

congratulations!!

[@NadoZ06]

congratulations Ryan! enjoy and have a safe honeymoon!!

[@pewheretic7967]

Congrats to both of you! 40 years of salt water tanks and still don' have it figured out. 26 years married to a great woman I also haven't figured out. I bet you'll be just as happy and just as confused. I hope you get to go on a dive somewhere exotic :) Very happy for you both.

[@ZMondoHype]

these videos are super helpful and save me hours of research. Thanks guys!

[@Anthony-ub1df]

Made my day here in New Zealand thanks for using my sump @1.15. I have been watching your videos for the last 3 years it's really cool to be apart of one hehehehe. Congratulations Ryan and have a great time see you when you get back!

[@ajnivan]

All I heard was "I'm getting married!!!!" Really awesome news mate. Be sure to visit Australia on your honeymoon. There's a reef or two round here that are pretty ok!!

[@filkenf7644]

Congrats Ryan.. have a great honeymood...

[@Forgetii]

Great video!! Congrat's Ryan. Have a wonderful time on your honeymoon and as always looking forward to the next BRS160 update.

[@michaelrivas2284]

video de la candidata pip se le ríe en la cara a berniel

[@marineaquarium5235]

"And lighting opposite the tank lighting schedule" was waiting for that... RDP, the finishing touch.

[@johanngarcia7290]

thanks ryan , good video !!!!

[@adolfo1991fito]

nice vídeo 👍🏻

[@SantaMonicaFiltration]

Wow I want to learn to speak like Ryan :) Congrats on the lucky lady too! Since i introduced the original waterfall scrubber in 2008, I might be able to help with some of the scrubber and algae questions: "do things like chaeto require down time" Sometimes no, because the dark (bottom) side of chaeto acts as the time off. However this also slows growth and filtering. Scrubbers are optimized to have less of these dark areas, and do usually need "time off". "what kinda nutrient reduction you get with a fuge" Fuges/macros/scrubber all consume the same thing: Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, CO2, and metals. And the favorite food of algae is: Ammonia! The main difference is how strong/fast the nutrients are pulled out. "setting up a display refugium" That's my dream :)

[@hhinojosareef1]

Congratulations Ryan!

[@stonedmegatron3459]

Congratulation and have a blast. I would not worry about RT he will be fine. Love all the videos BRS is doing.

[@equidreams]

Congratulations, Ryan!

[@bronxhousekennels1]

Congratulations Ryan

[@beebop9808]

Congratulations Dude!!

[@daytripp02]

Congratulations Ryan !!!

[@elpinchijdj666]

Great video and congrats Ryan!

[@ScottM]

great video and congratulations and lots of luck to you and your wife.

[@TheDaddy2003]

Congratulations Ryan ✌️

[@romanroman6769]

Great video series. I absolutly love it and btw I am going to make app. 160g tank myself in FEB and will take a lot from these series. Great job Ryan. You have made videos even suitable for amateurs that would be able to understand whole concept. Aplaussss Keep doing a good job. I wish I am in US to come over to your shop :( I am looking for next one already :) Cheers Roman

[@Cliffepoos]

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials. I hope all goes well on the day and thereafter. Thanks for another good video and please start supplying the UK soon!

[@ulisotes01]

enjoy the vacations hope to see you soon :)

[@travissavant3869]

Congrats Ryan!!

[@andywoolloo]

Congrats! 🍾🎉🎈

[@HarryESwan]

Nice....Congratulations!

[@torisewooldridge9725]

Congratulations Ryan! Also, thanks for all the game..

[@alfredobonilla130]

Congratulations to both of you guys :D

[@sheldonjessup]

CONGRATS! may God Bless you and your marriage! (and your tanks!)

[@RickIrwin]

Congratulations Ryan!!! Enjoy your honeymoon and time-off.

[@hw80boy]

big congratulations

[@lisafoster4468]

Congratulations!!

[@emptynestaviation]

Congratulations Ryan...

[@12GallonNano]

Congrats on the marriage. I wish both you of happiness together.

[@Utahmikew]

Grats bro, enjoy the time together!

[@alexmenchaca4924]

congratulations! great vids

[@westonswanson8544]

Congrats on getting married! I have been without a reef tank for a few months now. New house soon later this year right around when the series wraps up! Can't wait to go on a shopping spree at Brs haha

[@Hind135]

Congrats!

[@djalfitz]

congrats Ryan

[@bradsvlogs90]

congratulations ryan!

[@NYCityCichlids]

Congratulations and thanks for the video.

[@Psymon234]

Congrats Ryan! Thats fantastic! :)

[@lambertguimond2227]

Happy 2 year anniversary too !!! lol ((Great timing))

[@hugomaaldrink1315]

Love it Ryan ! Keep it up and hope the missus was happy leaving the set. Gonna try a purple light on my chaeto now !

[@bdkaka]

Congratulations!!!! Enjoy your honeymoon!!!!

[@kevinschulmeister2054]

congrats ryan. I enjoyed the episode as I do all of them. if you can do more on algea scrubbers that would be awesome. Maybe when this series is done.

[@dannybski9620]

Congrats :D Can't believe you were shooting on the same day, lol.

[@staceyoverton8962]

Congratulations!

[@paully069]

Congrats Dude ! Enjoy your time off.. I hope there's a tropical reef where you staying !

[@chester7867]

Congrats!!!!!!

[@915Mang]

Congrats Man!!

[@juan197410]

congratulations!

[@merrittmcdowell2460]

oooo nooo i smell a super mega reef tank as a wedding present from your new wife!!!!!! que the music aaaaaaaaa aaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

[@royyreek2258]

great stuff man. I always look forward to your videos, kinda wish yall woulda went more in depth on what kinda nutrient reduction you get with a fuge. a lot of people are in the dark about how big a fuge needs to be to effectively keep phos/nitrates to a minimum

[@SoulJimyDark]

congratulations man! the best wishes for you :)

[@reeftankmicroscopy1781]

Great video! Best reef tank channel :D

[@AMILLER415]

Congrats!!! Have a great honeymoon!

[@yvonnegalloway9179]

Congrats

[@kylecollins9970]

congrats man love the videos.

[@aimnc8959]

congrats !!

[@TheDrakenZ]

Perfect, this is what i like to see. Just throwing it out there though, blue light is for chlorophyll production and red light is for flowering or fruit production. So I believe blue light would stimulate the fastest algae growth.

[@gabriellegabyt8756]

for caulerpa? should we light it up 24/7?

[@TheDrakenZ]

Gabrielle // GabYT I'd do 18/6 or 20/4. plenty of photosynthesis, but still allows it some rest time. I've read great arguments from both sides though

[@sgtporkchops6830]

congrats!

[@SarahMSexton]

Can you go into more detail about the difference between adding macro algae into the sump vs. an algae scrubber? HUGE congrats btw, I wish you all the happiness in the world!

[@robbradley1337]

Congrats! :D

[@sheldonjessup]

I still think i would like to see BRS make an algae scrubber, add it to your exclusive BRS products, I'm a fan so I'd buy it!

[@sheldonjessup]

as long as you name it after me! lol

[@lambertguimond2227]

Congradulations from Montreal Canada !!! ((Better late than never, on my part))

[@DarthReefer420]

Hey Ryan, congratulations on getting married!!!

[@00Mass00]

A little late but congratulations! and great video!

[@stevedimopoulos3715]

thank you for all the info..and congrats on getting married !!!!

[@Sadeghahmadiani]

Most informative series on KZbin; thank you guys! Would you do a review on Red Sea Aquariums? (Max, S, E, ..Series)

[@oddball6969]

congrats man!...hope you going somewhere hot where theres a reef...:)

[@Albertoamigon]

Congrats god bless wish you guys the best!! enjoy the honeymoon!!

[@drew1841]

Congrats Ryan! Enjoy that honeymoon ;)

[@TheElusivetomtom77]

manstrhgi

[@intox69]

Yea my wife bought me a 5 gallon for my first aquarium, I've constantly scaled up over the years now I'm looking to build a 2000 gallon freshwater tank. She may regret her choice in gifts.

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

Your poor wife

[@TheArnok666]

Ha, i just did this to mine.. perfect timing

[@williamburgess718]

+BulkReefSupplyCom reefer 170 sump, i put a block of marine pure 8x8x4 after my filter sock to create a sort of wall, and tossed some macro algae in the high flow spot it created just after the filter sock but before the marine pure block. Then i watched the last two episodes. Is it weird i read the brs site with Ryans voice?

[@lenmonopoli8697]

Congratulations on getting married. Thanks for the video

[@oddyzzee]

Gratz! :)

[@paulbragin5034]

That would be nice to see a comparison Video of cheato growth with these different bulbs you mentioned in this video to see which bulb grows cheato the best in the same system with the different bulbs as the variable.

[@emmanuelperez4830]

Congrats on your wedding