Refugium vs Algae turf scrubber
Refugiums vs algae turf scrubbers compared on N/P removal, footprint, lighting cost, copepod production, and maintenance. Both export nitrogen and phosphorus via algae growth — but they're not equivalent.
The contenders
Side A
Refugium
Chaeto / macro algae in sump section
Side B
Algae turf scrubber
Light + screen + flow
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Refugium | Algae turf scrubber |
|---|---|---|
N + P removal mechanism | Macroalgae growth (chaetomorpha) | Turf algae growth on screen |
Typical footprint | Sump section, 8–20 gal | Screen + chamber, 6×12 in to 12×24 in |
Light source | Refugium LED (Kessil H80, Tunze, AI Fuge) | High-output LED strips (red + blue) |
Maintenance | Trim chaeto weekly to fortnightly | Clean screen weekly — every week |
Side benefit: pod production | Yes — major source of copepods | Minimal — turf surface isn't ideal pod habitat |
Side benefit: pH buffering | Yes — runs reverse photoperiod | Yes — same mechanism |
Risk: algae release back to tank | Low (contained chaeto ball) | Low (turf grows on screen) |
Risk: outcompeting display algae? | Yes — that's the goal | Yes — that's the goal |
Which one for which situation
Mixed reef, sump-equipped, want pod-rich water
Pick: Refugium
Refugium produces copepods continuously. Mandarins, dragonets, scooter blennies thrive.
No sump (AIO tank), want export anyway
Pick: Algae turf scrubber
Turf scrubbers can hang on the back of an AIO. Refugiums need sump space you don't have.
Phosphate problem (>0.1 ppm) you can't resolve
Pick: Algae turf scrubber
Scrubbers tend to outpace refugiums on P uptake per liter of footprint.
Lazy maintainer, wants set-and-forget
Pick: Refugium
Chaeto trimming is monthly-tolerant. Scrubber screen cleaning is weekly-mandatory.
Frag tank, ULNS approach (Triton-style)
Pick: Neither
Both work but Triton's full method skips macroalgae entirely. Pick by what fits your overall regime.
What you'll need either way
Affiliate linksRequired either way
Hanna Marine Phosphate ULR Checker (HI774)
Both methods are phosphate export. You cannot tune export you can't measure, and hobby color-card kits don't resolve the range that matters here.
~$50 · Where to buy →Watch alk alongside
Salifert KH/Alkalinity test kit
Heavy algae growth pulls alkalinity down with the nutrients. If you scale up export without watching alk, you'll chase a phantom dosing problem.
~$22 · Where to buy →Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, reefcalcs earns from qualifying purchases.
Related calculators & references
Sources & references
- 1.Reefs.com — Refugia explainedhttps://reefs.com/magazine/mesophotic-coral-reefs-life-in-the-deep/
- 2.Algae Scrubber Basics (algaescrubber.net)https://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?9-Algae-Scrubber-Basics
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