fuge sump difference

My setup is Display Tank only - everything is hang on back.



I am looking into (in the far future) adding a sump/fuge...

So I've been reading threads on it, etc.

I feel a bit silly for asking... but what is the difference between a fuge and a sump? Or are they different words for the same thing? It seems like the words are interchangeable reading the threads...

Thanks

 

well some of us unify them, like Luna and I have a sump with a fuge compartment

Basically your sump you want your skimmer, heater, and reactors feed off of it, your fuge you'll have a sand bed, rock rubble, macro algaes and a light, ect

 

Along with filtration, added water volume, and hiding equipment, the sump/'fuge is an excellent place to breed 'pods. The pods will then move up into the main tank and feed your fish.

I have mine combined also. There are three compartments. The first overflows into the second and the second overflows into the third.

Compartment 1: Tank outflow, Skimmer intake/return, heater, LR
Compartment 2: Deep sand bed, algae, and I laid a small piece of PVC pipe on the DSB to encourage 'pod growth
Compartment 3: LR, return pump

Combining the two concepts saves a ton of space but is not necessary. My system is simple though and I can imagine that people running lots of reactors etc... may need more room and would benefit from having a seperate 'fuge.

 

They are some what the same with small differences. They both filter the water in some fashion. The sump allows the user to house all the other pieces of equipment and hide it from plain sight. Thats why alot of ppl just combine the two in one tank. Luna

 

I like having one because there is no filter material to change and it gives a better place to dose chemicals. My main problem is evaporation. Both tanks in my system are open so I lose a lot of water. Especially now that it is colder and we have the heater on.