Live rock in sump?

[freshfish]

What are the benifits of live rock in the sump? Does it just act like a filter? Or are you gaining somethings by doing it. I see alot of people that do it so I put 40# in my sump. I'll just fake it till I make it. I just want to know the purpose for it so when I get asked I can give the smart answer instead of I don't know. Thanks

[REEFSTOCK]

Filter and grow worms and pods and sometimes clams inside the rock... These propagate and when they propagate the corals have a feast (aka fuge assuming you don't have predators in the sump).
One bad thing about rock in the sump itself is you are reducing the actual volume of the sump (water level goes down faster from evaporation).

[Graham]

I agree.

The "pros" are generally related to increased biological filtration capacity and "rock life" - pods, etc. Also, if the sump is not lit, you can really get some good sponge and tunicate growth, since other (photosynthetic) things won't overgrow/outcompete them.

The biggest potential con (IMO) is that you'll trap alot of dirt in that rock since there's probably not much flow over it. In a system where elevated nutrients aren't a concern, it's a dandy way to "refuge". In a system you're trying to keep as clean as possible, it's a handrance.

[freshfish]

Whats a refuge? I've heard that talked about before.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by freshfish

Whats a refuge? I've heard that talked about before.

Refugium.
An area of a tank/system that is isolated from things that would prey on what lives and breeds there. Mainly copepods, amphipods, filter feeding worms, etc.

It's generally a tool employed by those who have the desire to maximize the amount of "nature" in their tank.

[freshfish]

Like brissel worms and things like that. Thanks for answering my questions!

[REEFSTOCK]

And let me define sump: "A hole at the lowest point of a mine shaft into which water is drained in order to be pumped out. " Yahoo Education

That is to say the sump is the lowest part of your aquarium where all water will drain to if the power goes out.
Sometimes the sump is the refuge too.
Sometimes the sump is the equipment chamber.
If there is a box that holds water in the sump, and that water is higher than the rest of the sump (usually a skimmer chamber. Than that volume is not part of the sump.

Sometimes we give our sump multiple tasks, so it is important to remember what it's primary task is. I prefer to only have the heaters and supply pumps in the sump when space isn't an issue.

[kjdeut]

Mine started out as a sump but with putting extra rock I had and the macro algae in it, it is more of a fuge now. I hardly see any pods in the show tank, but the sump/fuge is loaded with them.

Ken

[Loralie]

I opted for the fuge. I enjoy the fuge almost as much as the display. I keep many different types of macro, serpent stars, feather dusters, rock anemones, couple of feather stars(which sit on the rock right under the overflow plumbing) mushroom rocks, ect....It is amazing what macro pops out on rocks when there isn't a tang or foxface around to eat it. Also I have mine on a reverse photo period. My Ph is much more consistent than in my 92 where I do not have a fuge, only a sump.