Do you have to have a refug??

[dreamcatcherr9]

In a sump filtration system, do you have to have a refug?

Most pre made sumps seem to have a designated area for this. But do you have to have one in a sump (or use one at all)?

If not using a refug, what could one use that area for? Media reactor?

 

[windemerejack]

You don't need to have a refugium, its entirely up to you how you want to run your tank.
It can be used for alternate filtration methods such as siporax or reactors with carbon and gfo, whatever filtration you want to use. A refugium is just one of many ways to run your filtration.

 

[Auquanut]

A refugium is an efficient way of keeping nitrates and phosphates down if they tend to run high. It's commonly used as a method to reduce nuisance algae in the display. The theory is that if you maintain a healthy macro algae population in the fuge, it will out compete nutrients for algae in the display. Thereby limiting algae in the tank. As @windemerejack said, there are other ways to achieve the same goal.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Thank you. I am aware of the benefits of a refug. I was just looking for other options and curious what others do (instead of a refug).