Hey guys, maybe someone can explain to me in a more concise way what the pros and cons are of a refugium vs having a sump.  I know you can use either one with bigger setups, but why would someone choose one over the other, and vise versa?  Thanks!

AH okay!! so it's mechanical filtration vs biological filtration, right?   Makes perfect sense!  Thanks!

Hey Joe, the sumps are what people drill their tanks for, right?  and you don't do that for a fuge, correct? 

okay, so a refugium can either be added to a sump, as another filtration medium... can you use the fuge part on it's own, or will you still have to have some kind of mechanical filtration device?    (pls excuse my inquisitive ignorance)   

mechanical filtration is not even recommended to reef tanks.  they become nitrate factories and compete with the tank itself. unless you clean the filter like twice a week.

Basically a sump is a place for you heater, skimmer, and fuge.  with a sump, your tank water level always stays the same.  wen water evaporates, your sump level goes down not your tank so you add top off water to the sump. another benefit is that a sump adds volume to your tank.  the bigger the water volume, the easier

you dont have to drill your tank but its much better if you do.

a fuge is basically a refuge for your pod which would otherwise be gobbled up by your fish i your display tank. fuge also has micro algae which consumes nitrates