Fuge?

[scottbapilot]

Sorry to sound Ignorant, But what is the difference between a sump and a refugium? Thanks for the answer's


Scott

 

[Winschuc]

A sump is basically a tank where filtration equipment is stored. A fuge is typically an area used to grow things like macro algae. A fuge can be part of a sump, or a tank all of its own.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Sump to left, fuge to right

 

[RedoubtReef]

If you have the space, I think separating them is your best option but you have to work with what you got. I've seen some creative folks mount their refugium's above their display tanks which I've always thought was a cool idea. My sump is a 75 gal and my fuge is a 75 gal as well with the intent that I will build it out as a 'display' fuge with different macros.

 

[beaslbob]

agree with above.

Here are (my?) actual definitions:

Sump is a liquid container at the bottom of the system where liquid flows to.

Refugium is a protected area where algae can grow protected from the livestock. Much like a wildlife refuge only that is where wildlife is protected from civilization.

Normally the sump and refugium are below the tank but not necessarily.

Consider: a system where water is pumped to a container acting as a refugium above the display and then returned to the display. In that case the display is the sump.

Also consider a similar system where water is pumped to a higher container for filtering,dosing etc etc. then returned to the lower display. Plus the display is partitioned with algae growing on one side of the partition and fish on the other side. In that case the display is actually the display, sump, and refugium all in one.

my .02

 

[Frop]

I just put the sealant on my 5.5 gallon just now. This is basically going to be a simple sump and refugium mix (to my understanding). This 5.5gal will sit directly behind the 10gallon display tank. They will be connected by the overflow box. I'm going start off with a water polisher added inside the overflow and in the first chamber I'll add a protein skimmer. Second chamber will be aquarium sand (instead of mud because I'm on a budget) and algae with a light so I fill it with tigger pods so that they can breed (hopefully) and feed my scooter blenny.

Idk to me it's a refugium if it has live stuff doing the filtering. It's a sump if it's a tank under (usually) your tank with moRe man made stuff.