Refugiums And Slums

[aquabuddy]

Hello,

I am new to setting up a reek tank, I have a FW tank that I am planning on converting to a Reef Tank. I bout the AquaC Pro skimmer and satilite 2X96W dual compact Flurescent hood. I have two Flual 405 filters in my 55 galon FW tank right now.

Question is do I really need a refugium and a slum? if so, which one do you recommend?

thanks

 

[AK77]

You don't need either but they are beneficial.

The sump essentially increases the overall water volume, thereby diluting the pollutants and making the water chemistry more stable (bigger volume of water, the longer it will take to change temperature, ph, nitrates etc, etc). It also means that you can house skimmers and water heaters somewhere other than the display tank.

As for a refugiums, they are ideal for growing macro algaes and micro-organisms which feed upon the nitrates and phosphate, helping to keep your water crystal clear and free from unwanted/harmful chemicals.

BTW are you setting up a Fish Only tank, Fish Only with Live Rock, or a reef tank?

 

[Dorkhedeos]

oh yeah, its reef and sump by the way sumps arent needed, but they are always nice you can put all your equipment down there, making everything pretty much hidden so theres nothing to make your tank look ugly. the only thing you need is circulation with live rock for a reef tank. refugiums are nice because you can grow copepods(food) and some macro algae to reduce nitrates and phosphates to prevent other kinds of algae so you dont have to scrub as much