Sumps and Refugiums

[izau3138]

I have had some sort of aquarium for over 10 years. I am obviously debating on whether to get into having a Reef tank. I have done my research and understand the cost and the time it will involve to take care of. My question is when I look at some of the best tanks and their set-ups, I can't seem to get by the fact that they have a sump or a refugium. Can someone tell me why or if this is necessary and if so, someone lead me to a website that explains the subject in detail. Thanks.

 

[graveyardworm]

izau3138

Sumps and refugiums are not necessary.
Having a sump accomplishes a couple things. It allows room to keep equipment that would otherwise be in or on your display tank, and it helps to create a more stable system with more water capacity.
A refugium is a good place for tiny inverts to grow breed and be safe from predation as the name suggests. These inverts and thier young then become a natural supply of food for fish and other inverts in the display, also it provides a place to grow various macro alga which will compete for nutrients with micro algae, and again it increases your water volume and helps maintain a more stable system.
As far as other websites Reef Central is the best place to research and get answers to your questions sometimes more answers than you want.

 

[frankie06]

refugiums can be set up out side the tank, inside the tank,or hang on the back of the tank a refugium works for keeping live rock, plants ,beneficial algea and live sand etc.. etc.. combinations. This will aid in nitrate control and also for buffering the load of fish. In my experience the sump can act as a refugium also.................

 

[izau3138]

Thank you very much for your posts. I understand now the importanc of how the sump and refugium operate.

 

[ChunksInClemson]

A good site to show how a sump works.

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html