Termiology: Wet/Dry..Sump...Fuge

[gregs]

Quite possibly the stupid question of the week...
In researching alternatives to my existing canister filter, I've come to understand the benifits of wet/dry filters. While looking into these filtration devices, I've become confused on these 3 different terms, and when researching them indiviually they all appear to do/be basically the same thing.
Wet/Dry Filter...Sump....Refugium...
thanks in advance.
Greg

 

[saltn00b]

sump: an area of extended water volume away from your display tank. used for water circulation, increasing water volume and placing large bulky equipment that you dont want visible, such as skimmers, heaters, etc.
Wet/dry: basically the same as a sump but it has an area at the water's entrance to the unit , where plastic Bio Balls are placed and water drips through them. they are vast amounts of surface area for bacteria to live on. This is an out-dated technology that still only has a few practical uses. If the balls arent cleaned (hehehe) every 6 months or so, then they collect detritus and will become the dreaded nitrate 'factories' / traps.
refugium: is simply an area seperated from the Display tank, that is using the same water supply and contains biological components and lights to keep them. usually filled with LS, LR and macroalgae. This will naturally clean the water by absorbing chemicals like nitrates and phosphates which are the bane of aquarists trying to keep pristine tanks for their corals etc. It also is a safe haven for Pods to grow and reproduce with out being predated. there are many variations of the Fuge, and it can be in combination of a sump, in line with a sump, hang on the back of sump or tank, above the tank, etc etc.

 

[sfoister]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
If the balls arent cleaned (hehehe)

LOL
I don't think I have ever had a conversation about bio balls where someone didn't start giggling.

 

[gregs]

Thanks for that detailed explanation..
So if a wet/dry, sump and fuge are technically 3 separate applications, I can however combine the wet/dry function in a sump design with or without the additional fuge?
do the size of the bio balls matter?

 

[saltn00b]

wet/dry + sump = wet/dry
you cant really add the two.
you can take a purchased wet/dry system and remove the bio balls, and then voila you have a sump. its that easy.
i dont think size matters (hehehehehehe)