Filtration Marine aquarium

a new sump 3 compartments including protein skimmer

in general, marine aquariums have more complex filtration requirements freshwater aquariums. various components include wet , dry filters , protein skimmers. protein skimmers devices remove organic compounds prior degradation, , useful in marine aquariums. protein skimming used in popular berlin method relies on live rock , periodic partial water changes degrade , remove waste products. berlin method requires large amounts of live rock in aquarium. rule of thumb 1/2–1 lb. per 1 gallon (0.2–0.4 kg per 4 liters).

some marine aquariums include sump, external container connected main aquarium water pump. in setups, sump located below aquarium , fed water main tank via overflow. overflow @ simplest round hole drilled towards top of tank, connected via tubing output below it. water level increases past height of overflow, water overflows tank , falls through sump below. water circulation powered water pump in sump, pushes water tank, causing more water flow on , perpetuating cycle. there many advantages using sump, both appearance , health of tank. sump helps appearance of tank, because allows filtration , maintenance equipment (protein skimmer, heater, activated carbon) kept out of sight of main tank. ensures water level of main aquarium never changes, overflow sets water level in main tank. sump aids tank health helping oxygenate water increasing amount of water/air surface area used gas exchange.

some marine aquariums include refugium. refugiums small containers or aquariums hidden behind or beneath main aquarium , connected via water pump (often in similar manner sump). refugiums have become quite popular among reef aquarists because can used serve several purposes such adding water volume or providing fish-free site biological filtration in live rock and/or sandbed. fish-free refugiums host populations of copepods, amphipods, isopods, , other zooplankton.