sump - fuge...same thing??

cato

New England
I know...typical noob question. What's the difference between a sump and a fuge besides the spelling?:D
 
A sump sits under the tank,hence the name sump. Now use can use a sump as a fuge if you want. I would say that it is more of a (do I have the room sort of thing) You can surely use a sump as a fuge if you want. Just make for sure after its all said and done that you check the reserve of your sump/refugium for the inevitable power failure thats sure to happen at some point.
 
A sump is basically a container of water. Water is pumped up to the tank from it, and then returns down to the sump in a cycle. The bigger the sump, the more stable your aquarium parameters are (ex. it takes a lot longer for water temps to rise from 75 to 85 degrees in a 200g system than a 5g system). You can also sit your protein skimmer or other components in it.

A "fuge" is a refugium. It can be part of a sump, or separate. In it grows usually macroalgae under bright lighting to help lower your nitrate levels. Because no predators of any kind are in the fuge, it becomes a hangout and breeding ground for all sorts of tiny critters that came from the main tank. These can be kept there or fed/placed in the main tank.

That's a quick summary, by no means all-telling. :)
 
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