Want to put sump!!! Should I!? Can I!?

[beamer]

Ok I got an established tank for about 2 years and im currently running a canister filter. Now i want to use a sump now but I don't know if it will sicken or stress my fish with a new filtration setup. Can someone lmk what I can do? Or can I use both and later take off the canister filter??? I'm new with sumps but have been reading up alot.

[cbianco]

Please tell us more about your particular setup (details).

Are you looking to install a sump or a refugium?

Christopher :)

[beamer]

Sorry about that55 gal 2yr setup40 lbs rockLive sandAbout 5 fishExplain the difference of refugium and sump?

[cbianco]

A sump is for equipment.

http://sumppits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Megaflowing-Sump.jpg

A refugium houses macro-algae/live rock for filtration.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/travie_07/29g%20SW%20Pictures/3-5-09/DSCF3365.jpg

Christopher :)

(Pictures not mine.)

[Mr Cob]

in addition to what Christopher posted...you can also have both in one.


Sump
Refugium
Sump/Refugium

I believe the majority of reefers do both.

example of both:
(pic of my 85g frag tank)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5079536265_bed7e06210_z.jpg

[Mr Cob]

ok....that last pic you posted Christopher is classic....baffles don't get much better than that! HAHA!

[Texreefer]

as long as you have room for it, it would be very easy and benficial to install.. and yes, it wouldn't hurt to leave the canister running for a few weeks after installing the sump/refugium

[Europhyllia]

ok....that last pic you posted Christopher is classic....baffles don't get much better than that! HAHA!

LOL I was thinking the same but resisted the urge to mention it!

[Mr Cob]

whatever gets the job done...right? lol

[cbianco]

ok....that last pic you posted Christopher is classic....baffles don't get much better than that! HAHA!

:D

This is the exact reason I put "pictures not mine!"

Lol

Christopher :)

[beamer]

Nice info guys. So I'm thinking of running both. I've been doing some research and both don't sound to bad. So it's ok to do the refugium with an established tank since it's basically gonna be considered a new tank :/ that's the only thing that worries me. And do I really need a light fort refugium? And where can I buy something like this cheap. At least the tank part of it???

[cbianco]

...And do I really need a light fort refugium?...

Typically, yes. Most times your refugium houses macro-algae to help remove nutrients from the water. Macro-algae need light.

However, refugiums without lights do exist. Feel free to Google "cryptic refugium" or "cryptic fuge."

Christopher :)

[FireWater]

Christopher is all over this one with good info.

I have run both type of fuges - lighted and cryptic. In fact my old 90g had both. My personal choice is a lighted one as it seemed to remove the most "bad stuff" by letting the macro grow and in turn the macro filtering out the wastes.
Melevsreef has some good info on fuges and plans for building your own.

[beamer]

Anybody in sa that I can visit that sell sumps/refugiums that I can take a look at this weekend? I'm going up there this weekend.

[FireWater]

There are a couple of places. I know I have always seen some at Aquarium Designs to start with.