Need answers to basic questions

[powderblue]

I have been reading this site for awhile, and I still have a couple of basic questions.
1.I understand that lr and ls will do the bio filtering, but for a large (140g) reef tank, how do I provide mechanical/chemical filtration?
2.It seems like many of you use sumps and refugiums. What exactly are these? I know that a sump is like an overflow box and that a refugium is filled with macro algea, but that's about it. Who cares if the water falls in, where does it go then, and how do I get it there? Finally, why are sumps chambered, and do they have to be?
3.What is a wet/dry filter? Do I need one?
4.Where do I run the UV filter?
5.What does the protein skimmer do? Where do I put it? Why there?
6.Finally, what's the story with powerheads? Do they move the water from the sump back into the tank?
I know, I know, go buy a book. I just may, but I want some answers from here first.
I want the SIMPLEST, BEST filtration possible.
My problems are mainly LOGISTICAL. I have a decend idea what these things do, but I don't understand the details of the setup...etc.
Thanks for any help.
Powderblue

 

[beth]

Wow, that's a lot of questions! But, that's ok, that's what this BB is for.
If you want simple you can start out with a deep sand bed [DBS] and live rock. The powerheads just provide circulation within the tank, they don't power other equiptment. It depends on the size of your tank as to how many powerhead you need. You will want to place them at different points and levels in your aquarium to provide optimum water movement with the tank.
You don't have to have a sump. this may be something that you build onto your system later on. A skimmer can hang on the backside of your aquarium, be placed in a sump, or stand alone. A hang on would be the simplest and cheapest--especially if you're not going to have a sump. The skimmer skims the water that flows thru it via a powerhead. The purpose is to remove organic wastes in your water [another filtering mechanism]. A UV is run outside of your tank and you hook it up to a pump with hoses that go from your tank, to the UV and then back into your tank again.

 

[jimi]

You should definately get a sump with that size tank. Even if you build your own. A sump can be wet/dry or if the bio balls are removed just a sump for puting your heaters in or any sponges,carbon,or any other resins you may want to use. You really dont need a wet/dry filter if it is going to be a reef with lots of sand and rock just a good powerful skimmer. With that size tank you would be best with a standing skimmer below or next to the tank Because it will have considerable weight when full of water with a large pump attached to it. If its going to be a reef most long term reef keepers will tell you not to use a u/v because it also kills good organisms that corals feed on. Powerheads are used for water movement inside the tank, you will need a large main pump for sump to tank circulation. Read as much as possible but find pictures on the net or in many of the books available to fully understand the proper usage for all of your equipment.