sump fuge vs. seperate tank fuge

[denman]

whats better, a sump refuge or one that is right to the side of the main tank? Ive read that sump fuges kill beneficial pods in the return pump so I like the side tank idea better.

 

[usinkit]

I dont think it matters. The only differents is the size of the refugium. If you have a refugium/ sump its smaller. If you have a tank just for a refugium you have room for more biological filtration. As for pods being killed by the return pump thats going to happen anyway unless your refugium is above the main tank and is gravity fed. I have a sump/refugium and the refugium is only 9 gallons on my 40 gallon display and it does a great job controliing my nitrates and phosphates to 0.