fuge vs filters help needed

darklcd · Nov 10, 2011

Hey all

I am starting to look into filtration for my 120 project and I wanted to get some help. I have used canister filters a lot and I have had a couple hang on wet/dry filters. I have herd a lot of people using a fuge rather then typical filtration and I don't know much about them. I am trying to determine the best option for me as I am starting into my first real "reef"

I am also looking at the idea of a sump as well but again not too sure what will work best

Can anyone help me out

Krish · Nov 10, 2011

If you are going with a reef setup where nitrates are a concern then you will want to pass on the canister and the wet/dry. Their end product is usually nothing more than nitrates. Your liverock and sandbed will be your primary source of biological filtration. Where a refugium is concerned, most people use them for nutrient export to deal with any excess nitrates and phosphates they may have. They would toss in an algae and as it grows, they trim it back to export the bound up nutrients. Then some people use deep sand beds so I guess it's all what you are after. I didn't use a fuge or sanded and had zero nitrates. All I did was high flow, good skimming and good tank husbandry. Every tank is different, but definitely more than one way to do things and be successful.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BigAl07 · Nov 10, 2011

Well said Krish!

It boils down to how much space you have for extra goodies and what you're striving to accomplish. My last build had a sump and a fuge. Here are my takes on both:

A refugium (aka fuge) does help with nutrient reduction but Macro Algae "take up/Bind" so slowly in such small proportions that for a fuge to really benefit a system it needs to be substantial in size. By that I'm saying a HOB fuge of 2g isn't going to do anything for a 120g system. Another benefit is a well designed fuge that's mature and thriving is it will gradually introduce new pods and micro-fauna into the tank. Refugium (refuge - Safe Harbor) is a place where lots of organisms can grown and thrive without predators decimating their population. If the system is designed correctly some of these will slip back into the DT via return pump and be an on-going treat for your tank. Also a well designed and maintained fuge can be a source or entertainment and joy. I can't tell you how many hours I spent on the floor in front of my stand gawking into my fuge. They are just cool!

A sump is (in my eyes) your mechanical storage closet. Just like in fancy offices and corp buildings you have to have some place to put your stuff so that it's not an eye sore. That's what a sump is. You can have your heater(s), ATO, Skimmer, and a host of other goodies in there out of site but easily accessible. One of the best things about a well designed system using a sump is you can perform a good sized water change and never have to touch the display tank. In my last system I could do a 30% water change via the sump and the Display tank kept running the whole time. Valves placed in certain places made my life much simpler.

I say if you've got the space then go for both. If yo don't have the space and can only do one sit down and decide which one is more important for your ideal tank and go with it. If you don't have the space to do either one then it's not such a big deal. I've ran tanks for years without a sump or fuge but my ideal systems include both.

darklcd · Nov 10, 2011

I have a spare 35 gal tank right now that I was going to set up but after my wife said she wanted a 120 that kinda went by the way side. would a 35 gal tank work ok for a sump and maybe work a fuge into it?

BigAl07 · Nov 10, 2011

My 90g system had a 29g Sump and then a separate 18g Fuge. So I'd say YES of course a 35g could work. Just make sure you have room in your stand (don't forget about leaving room ABOVE it to be able to work and move things ie skimmer in and out).

Some people will incorporate both into one but I like to run my system with much less flow through the fuge than the sump. If you're willing to "T" off your supply line you could easily do this and design your sump/fuge to both return to the center of the tank. Keep in mind this is what I've found to work well for me and what is best for you and your tank may be 100% different. As they say YMMV.

jrgilles · Nov 10, 2011

My 75 gallon display tank has a 50 gallon sump and a 20 gallon fuge.
Total volume of water is maybe 120 gallons.

I have read that your fuge size should be about 20% the size of the display.

I think that 35 would be a great fuge size for that system, but you may want a bigger sump. If you have a power failure, you want your sump to be able to hold whatever syphons down out of the tank. If it is too small, you might flood....