Refugiums help keep beneficial organisms (like copepods) thriving in an environment where they can reproduce and colonize without any predators or other distractions. As the organisms multiply, some are discharged into the display tank continuously as the water pumps into the aquarium. This keeps a constant replenishment of food for fish, corals, and inverts, as well as adds another excellent group of aquarium cleaners on a micro scale helping clean detritus off of live rock and other areas unreachable by your clean up crew. A refugium can aid in keeping an aquarium stable and consistent which is every aquarists goal.
Macro Algaes can be kept in your refugium to provide an environment suitable for these micro organisms. There are many kinds to consider, each will help remove harmful nutrients from the aquarium and help reduce nitrates. Beneficial Macro Algaes are a great food source for all copepods, fish, and other marine life. Some aquarists will store the macro algae in the refugium and feed their fish from the constantly growing supply of Algae because it is readily available. It is a great source of nutrition and stability for any marine aquarium and/or refugium.
