A Newbie Question on SUMPS and a refugium

S

sammyinafrica

New member
I have kept many very successful fresh water tanks since I was 8. Now, after seeing the beauty of a marine tank....there is no comparison. So, my wife and I are researching reef tanks. I am confused.

A SUMP is a water containment area where one can place protien skimmers, heaters, (add to this list please). That way the water is treated more effeciently and with less noise.

A refugium is a small tank connected to the main tank but allows various life forms to live and filter/clear water away from predation.

Is this correct? What have I missed?

FYI... We plan on having a 120+ gallon tank. Seams a sump is the way to go in our design.

Please comment. Thanks!
 
That's about it; many people keep their sumps and refugiums separate, while others combine them in fairly ingenious ways. There's a big thread here somewhere about "refugiums, the good/bad/ugly" or some such.

I wouldn't have a tank that large without both. Good luck!
 
Cool you have a fish background (me too but that was a while ago)

But back to your question yes the sump is a contain or tank that adds more water volume to the tank while allowing you to hide stuff in it such as the skimmer, heater, probes, and other junk while the refugium is a place that people usually grow algae to filter the water while allowing life-forms like pods' and stuff to grow and reproduce there. I use a sump/refugium on my tank and love it (you can live without one)
 
Actually, I just found a picture that made it click a bit...

Basically, it a a 30 gallon tank where the water is pulled in from one end and flows through a seiers of chambers (one of which is a refugium with sand, algae, ect..) and then is pushed back into the tank.

that makes sence...it is not one or the other it is BOTH of them.
 
Adding to the sump list...

- Protein skimmer (a must have)
- UV sterilizer (optional, but often useful)
- Activated carbon (generally a good idea)
- inlet/outlet for separate chiller (you'll probably need one)
- heater (if the chiller doesn't have one)
- Calcium reactor (if its a large calcium hungry tank)
- Water pump or connection to one

I think that's about it. Some people put the inlet/outlet for a separate denitrator in there, but you'd be better off using your refugium for denitrafication, or a deep sand bed in the main tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13070885#post13070885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kfisc
That's about it; many people keep their sumps and refugiums separate, while others combine them in fairly ingenious ways. There's a big thread here somewhere about "refugiums, the good/bad/ugly" or some such.

I wouldn't have a tank that large without both. Good luck!
Click to expand...

that would be this thread


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443


:D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13070957#post13070957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sammyinafrica
Actually, I just found a picture that made it click a bit...

Basically, it a a 30 gallon tank where the water is pulled in from one end and flows through a seiers of chambers (one of which is a refugium with sand, algae, ect..) and then is pushed back into the tank.

that makes sence...it is not one or the other it is BOTH of them.
Click to expand...

Yep, can be a combined effort, but some folks have taken refugiums to a whole different level as separate displays alongside the main tank with delicate inhabitants such as pipefish, seahorses etc.
 
and mangroves - a terrific means of nutrient export plus great habitat for the pipefish and seahorses. I love the innovation this hobby creates!
 
So it is safe to say that the water quality in your sump will be the same as in your tank. Right? So keeping all the "unsightly" probes filters, ect....in teh sump allows for a more natural look. The only thing visible in the tank would be the returns, a bit of PVC, and the power heads... Sound right?

Funny you mention having a small tank off to the side of your main tank to house sea horses, pipe fish....I actuall though about place a 20 gall tank next to my 125+(when I buy one) and some how having the sump/refugium, main tank, and sea horse tank al on the same flow. Sound possible?

I second the motion of the creativity this hobby creates.

HOWEVER there is TOOOOO much creativity in thatthe is really no ONE true set up...(unlike fresh water)

I think thebest bet for me is to research and figure out how I would want my tank to look as a finished product (years and years from now) and break it down in the logical step to achive the look.

Comments?
 
oh and one more thing...in my main tank I plan on having several inches (3-5) of sand... I just think a reef tank does not look complete or natural with out sand... plus it helps wiht filtration.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13074379#post13074379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sammyinafrica
oh and one more thing...in my main tank I plan on having several inches (3-5) of sand... I just think a reef tank does not look complete or natural with out sand... plus it helps wiht filtration.
Click to expand...

I would keep the sand bed to 3 inches or under---looks good, supports creatures that live on it and in it, easy to keep clean, and doesn't have the long term problems that could arise with deeper sand beds
 
what are the problems that cold arrise by having to deep of a sand bed?

Aong those lines... I have been looking at other aquariums and have noticed that when it gets dark, little orange worms and other "icky" things that come from up from the sand and LR. Are these things good, bad, natural?
 
A deep sand bed requires you pay attention to its needs. A shallow sand bed doesn't offer all the same filtration qualities, but a lot of people prefer the look and convenience.

If you intent a 3" sand bed, you might want to consider using suger-fine oolite. It claims to provide the same benefits of a deep sand bed at only 3". I can't confirm their claim.
 
Detritavors, mostly. It also restricts a few species from your tank, mostly "sifters" or anything that eats detritavors. If you decide you aren't happy with a deep sand bed, removing it from an established tank can take time.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13075968#post13075968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sammyinafrica
What needs does a sand bed have?
Click to expand...

one of the key purposes of a deep sand bed is to remove nitrates
Deep in the sand bed are anoxic bacteria. these break down nitrates to nitrogen gas which then bubbles out of the system.
This is nature in perfection--and we know it doesn't always happen this way esp in an artifical ecosystem.
So nitrates can still build up in the substrate and later be released or imported back into your system

Ideally go with 1-3 inches of a medium argonite and you will meet all the needs of your tank
If you want a dsb then some day set up a refugium with a 7 inch sand bed in it and layer it with the sugar argonite ect.

The sugar argonite in the display tank is a real pain---everything living can quick up an instant sand storm then it settles everywhere and you have to clean it off
 
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