Natural Reef Tank Filteration! The Difference Between Algae Turf Scrubber & Refugiums

Refugiums or algae turf scrubbers: what's the difference? Is one better than the other, and which is best for you? The first thing to consider is that the Refugium and Algae Turf Scrubbers can perform the same primary function - using a confined space, a light source, and algae to reduce nutrients. This works because algae require nutrients like phosphate and Nitrate to grow. 

As it grows, it binds up those nutrients in its cells. Once the algae is running out of the room to grow, you can harvest them, removing those bounds of nutrients from the system. The difference between them comes down to:

  • type of algae being used
  • confined space that it has been kept in
  • how it maintained

Refugium

A refugium is the most popular of the two, requiring little space in your sump, a decent light source, and some macroalgae, making it very easy to set up and scrap up to remove excess nutrients immediately. As the algae outgrow the provided space, harvesting it is as simple as grabbing and tossing a handful. 

If a refugium has a downside, it can get pretty messy. Eventually, you can have a more substantial cleanup, and anyone who has gutted a refugium to clean will tell you it's not the most fun chore. 

Macro-algae also tend to have some breakoff, which can get all over the sump. Also, depending on your chosen light, you might grow slimes and other parts of your sump, which could add to the cleaning problem.

Algae Turf Scrubber

On the flip side, the turf scrubber does things differently. Unlike a refugium, you don't need to seed it with algae. Since it uses hair algae, it is very likely to spring up independently since it can live independently. But while you might not have to buy algae, it will take some time for that hair algae to grow independently, meaning it won't remove excess nutrients.

It can take 2-3 weeks to ensure it can do its job. The turf rubber is also a bit of an investment and an added cost, making it expensive. However, they do come with lighting built-in. You only need to add a DC pump. 

Harvesting the algae here is also some work. You can take the screen off and scrap the algae off manually. The biggest advantage is that the algae won't end up anywhere else in the sump. 

The Conclusion

Which one is right for you comes down to which approach you prefer because they do perform quite similarly. So, to break it down:

Refugiums:

  • have lower initial costs
  • utilize macro-algae
  • begin working on day one
  • fast and easy to harvest
  • messy and more maintenance

Algae Turf Scrubber

  • higher initial cost
  • utilize hair algae
  • Being working 2-3 weeks
  • More efforts to harvest
  • Less messy in the sump

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