As I begin to construct my 55 gal. setup as a rookie to the hobby, I have encountered two different schools of thought as far as the necessity of a refugium as well as media needed in the sump for denitifying bacteria. I was just told by a LFS that a refugium would be needed in order to grow a population of copepods to help feed the tank and that there also needed to be media in the sump that received water flow in order to do the denitrification. I thought the rock inside the aquarium served that purpose but he told me it becomes covered in algae, suffocating the good bacteria needed for denitrification. Can anyone help me on what truly is needed as I begin to construct my tank?
Sump Confusion
- Thread starter drcole
- Start date
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Akida17th
Well-Known Member
My thoughts are completely opposite. I wouldn't house media in my sump especially bio balls. You want your bacteria to grow on your live rock not media. If you're thinking of setting up a new tank and want to add some seasoned bacteria then yes you can add some media to your sump in order to farm some bio for the new tank. That is the only time I would use media in a sump but that's just my 2 cents. Good luck with your tank!
To me, sumps are made to house macro algae, this gets your pods populated, as well as help clean your water up. Your Live Rock, although is needed for bacteria to grow and rid the tank of nitrates, usually is not enough. for a totally self sustained system, you need a fuge, with all kinds of macro algae growing.
Although, an Algae Turf Scrubber is also an excellent item to run in the sump.
http://melevsreef.com/articles/maintaining-good-water-quality
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/upflow-algae-scrubbers®-from-santa-monica-filtration®.155519/
Although, an Algae Turf Scrubber is also an excellent item to run in the sump.
http://melevsreef.com/articles/maintaining-good-water-quality
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/upflow-algae-scrubbers®-from-santa-monica-filtration®.155519/
Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
I have seen successful reefs with both types of setups. I would challenge the idea that you MUST have a refugium since there are plenty of successful tanks that do not. Lots of people use media reactors in their sumps instead of fuges, and some use both media reactors AND fuges. It ultimately is going to come down to the specific needs of your tank and also your philosophy/methodology of reef-keeping. It's best to research what each tool/method you are considering using will do in order to determine what is best for you.
To your question about pods, a lot of people keep fuges for copepod cultivation. The main way that this is helpful is that generally there are no predators in a fuge, so pods can grow and multiply without diminishing their population. They can populate in the display, but your fish and inverts there will reduce their numbers by eating them. However, the same function can be accomplished by putting live rock or other porous objects in your sump (some people have even used bath sponges (I've never been brave enough to try that since I don't know what chemicals the sponge may have been exposed to).
For nutrient export, I recommend algae scrubbers as they seem to be much more efficient than a fuge (doing more export with less space). @SantaMonica has some great options if you're interested in those.
Hope this helps!
To your question about pods, a lot of people keep fuges for copepod cultivation. The main way that this is helpful is that generally there are no predators in a fuge, so pods can grow and multiply without diminishing their population. They can populate in the display, but your fish and inverts there will reduce their numbers by eating them. However, the same function can be accomplished by putting live rock or other porous objects in your sump (some people have even used bath sponges (I've never been brave enough to try that since I don't know what chemicals the sponge may have been exposed to).
For nutrient export, I recommend algae scrubbers as they seem to be much more efficient than a fuge (doing more export with less space). @SantaMonica has some great options if you're interested in those.
Hope this helps!
You can use a scrubber or refugium in your tank, or you could not - both ways have made great tanks. I currently do not use any algae, either scrubber or macro, in my system and it has been doing great. My sump is only for holding equipment and where the dosing lines come in - no rock or anything. I don't feel that a refugium for pods would help my tank any. Others disagree and that is great! It's nice to have options. Here is my tank without a fuge, scrubber or LR in the sump. The system keeps getting better and better too.
Nice tank ! Great job!You can use a scrubber or refugium in your tank, or you could not - both ways have made great tanks. I currently do not use any algae, either scrubber or macro, in my system and it has been doing great. My sump is only for holding equipment and where the dosing lines come in - no rock or anything. I don't feel that a refugium for pods would help my tank any. Others disagree and that is great! It's nice to have options. Here is my tank without a fuge, scrubber or LR in the sump. The system keeps getting better and better too.
mmw64
Valuable Member
THAT IS ONE GORGEOUS TANK!!!You can use a scrubber or refugium in your tank, or you could not - both ways have made great tanks. I currently do not use any algae, either scrubber or macro, in my system and it has been doing great. My sump is only for holding equipment and where the dosing lines come in - no rock or anything. I don't feel that a refugium for pods would help my tank any. Others disagree and that is great! It's nice to have options. Here is my tank without a fuge, scrubber or LR in the sump. The system keeps getting better and better too.
