DIY Refugium Tank

A refugium is the term used to describe a separated area within an aquarium that acts as a refuge to keep the fish inside it completely separate and protected from larger or more aggressive tank mates. Newly hatched fry are isolated within a refugium and fed separately from other fish while still using the resources of the main tank. Using an internal refugium rather than setting up a separate external tank means there is no need for additional light, heat or filtration.



All fish keepers have their preferred method of making a DIY refugium, beginners can make one from plastic mesh.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic mesh screen
  • Aquarium sealant
  • Scissors or scalpel
  • Ruler
  • 4 silicon suction cups
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the plastic mesh screen into five identical squares. The size of square will depend on the size of your main aquarium and how much space you want to use for the fish refugium. Six-inch squares are suitable for newly hatched fry, but if your main tank is too small for this size, 4-inch squares will be adequate.

    • 2

      Apply sealant along one edge of the first square and press one edge of the second square against it at a right angle so that the two pieces form an "L" shape. Repeat this with another two squares.

    • 3

      Glue the two "L" shapes together to form four sides of a box.

    • 4

      Attach the final square securely to the box using the sealant so that you have constructed a cube with one side left open.

    • 5

      Leave the sealant to set properly. This can take up to 24 hours, so check the instructions on the adhesive packaging to be sure.

    • 6

      Clip two suction cups along the top edge of one side of the refugium and repeat on the adjacent side with the remaining two suction cups.

    • 7

      Position the mesh refugium in a corner of the aquarium and secure it by sticking the four suction cups to the glass sides of the tank.