What is the difference?

I guess I shoulod say I am reading a lot of post on here and taking in all I can but some things I am still learning about. I have a sump on my tank but I see people talking about refugiums. What are these? Can someone explain them please? Thanks!

 

A sump is just a place to put equipment that you don't want in the tank. It also gives you water volume to help parameters stay more stable.

Some people keep fish that need live food so a refugium is a "refuge" for the breeding population of this food. (Usually mysis shrimp, copepods, and amphipods). Another thing you can do in a refugium is grow macroalgae that will compete for nutrients such as phosphates and Nitrates from the display tank.

Some people have separate sumps and refugiums and some people combine them into one. Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

 

As above. Melevsreef.com is an excellent resource. I am currently working on a DIY fuge using one of his designs.

 

If I take a picture of mine could someone tell me if mine is a "combo"? For some reason that is sounding very familiar to me. I bought my whole set up from a guy off of craigs list and that just sounds like it is ringing a bell to me!

 

I wouldnt worry about using a refugium, they are nice but arent a absolute must have to run a successful reef tank. Ive seen gorgeous tanks with out em

 

Ok then I won't worry about it. Thanks! Being a newbie you never know what you need and what is nice!