Filtering Question

[ebius]

First of, I want to thank everyone for the great advice I have read on AA. I am going to be setting up a 90G drilled tank sometime this summer. I am new to saltwater and am trying to get stuff that really won't need upgraded without spending a small mint. I have decided to go with MH lighting with white and moon lights for looks. I think I have just about everything figured out except the filtration system.

I know that I don't want anything hanging on the back, hence the drilled tank. I'm pretty sure I don't want a canister either, but if you have a reason I should go that way please let me know. My biggest problem is the whole wet/dry sump and/or Refugium deal.

What are the differences between these two? I know that a fuge has mud/sand and some chaeto, but besides that I'm at a loss. Also, can a wet/dry sump have a fuge? Would this be ideal?

I do know that whatever I go with I need to get a skimmer that goes in whichever one. Please let me know what you think and TIA for the info!

 

[lando]

Wlcome to AquariumAdvice.com!!
Sounds like you are on the right track. A Wet/dry sump is merely a wet/dry filter. It combines mechanical, biological and chemical filtration in an aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) envirornment. Typically, they consist of a fitler pad and drip tray along with a bioball compartment. Some have skimmers, some do not. A fuge takes things a step further and gives you great biological filtration. Think of it as a smaller tank filtering your bigger tank, complete with lights and macro algeas. That is about as simple as I can put it. there is a bit more involved however. Check out the "Articles" section at the top of the page for more detailed info.

 

[ebius]

Thanks for the welcome! So I am assuming that the fuge setup would be the better one to have.

 

[Brenden]

Depends on what you plan on putting in it. If FOWLR I would just go wet/dry no fuge. If you plan on having coral get a fuge.

 

[ebius]

Ok, thanks for the input. Yeah, im planning on going reef so it looks like fuge it is!