I am new here and am getting ready to startup a new aquarium.
I had one in the past, and was suscessful but had to tear it down and never had one since.
well my question is... I rember having an undergravel filter and a hanging over the back filter, and now everywhere I look people are talking about sumps, and
refuguims. What happened to the filters I used to use? Am I stuck in the past?
and what are refugiums an sumps? any info?
Thanks

All I basicly can say is don't rely on undergravel filters for your main filtration device. All it really does is provide biological filtration, if you ask me they don't really even do a good job of that. I despise them with a passion and all they do in my tanks is collect detritus and raise ammonia levels.

Sumps: I only suggest one for bigger fw or sw tanks. They are basicly another tank that hangs under your display tank, it adds more water volume and is a place to store equipment, etc. They do more good in saltwater tanks then freshwater.


Refugiums: A little box or even another tank that hangs on your aquarium, made like a sump, or is actually in your sump. Usually only used in saltwater tanks. Provides a place for critters that wouldn't fare well in your display tank to live peacefully and procreate, more for stuff like copepods. Also, adds water volume, place for macroalgae to grow and reduce nitrates,etc. Many things.

Undergravels, sumps, and refugiums are all optional peices of equipment.

Sorry about short choppy response but don't feel like typing much lol.

Thanks for the reply! I know what you mean about typing I hate it myself!
SOOOO if I understand correctly a sump and a refugium are basiclly extra places outside of the aquarium that can be used for extra stuff! really nothing to do with filtering.
So what do most people use a a filter system for their aquariums?
I might go saltwater..I havent decided yet..mabe just fish not live rock for a while. I dont know.
:unsure:

I've only heard of sumps and refugiums with regards to saltwater tanks. They are good for larger marine tanks but you certainly don't have to have them to have a saltwater tank. The standard hang-on-tank filters are what I use on my freshwater aquariums. They can also be used on small fish-only saltwater tanks. I don't like undergravel filters either.

Thanks for the reply Robyn!
I am glad you responded I wanted to tell you that both my wife and I like your web site! Very Very informative!
Well now that I know that an undergravel is not so good I will not put one in.
Over the back filter it is!
thanks again!