1. What filtration method does Vivid Aquariums recommend?
   • Our concept of filtration is that it should mimic the natural reef ecosystem as closely as possible, and should include a UV sterilizer to control disease.
   • As water passes through masses of live rock and sand in the coral reef, bacteria living within the rock and sand break down waste removing toxic ammonia and nitrites. Live rock and sand will do the same in your aquarium.
   • On coral reefs, waves sloshing around mix air with saltwater causing dissolved waste to separate from the water creating foam, which often washes ashore.
     • Protein skimmers do the very same for our aquariums.
   • Creating a balanced eco-system that includes, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and detrivores (scavengers) is a tremendous help in keeping your aquarium clean and your water quality good. See our Clean-up Crew Packages.
   • Good water movement causes more water to pass through the live rock keeping your aquarium cleaner.
   
   

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2. What are the main components of a complete filter system?
   • For picture see a General System in our Filtration Section
   • Live rock acts as a biological filter.
     • As water passes through the live rock, bacteria within the rock break down waste removing toxic ammonia and nitrites.
     • Try placing some pieces of live rock in your sump as well.
   • Sump, or wet/dry filter is the center of all complete saltwater filter systems.
     • Water that drains from the overflow box enters the sump.
     • Provide mechanical filters such as filter pad or filter socks to remove waste from the water entering the sump, and carbon to help keep the water clear.
   • Overflow boxes let water flow out of your aquarium down into your sump while creating surface agitation.
   • Protein skimmer can hang on the sump or sit inside of it.
     • Protein skimmers mix air and saltwater rapidly causing dissolved waste to separate from the water, creating foam which collects in the cup of the protein skimmer.
     • Protein skimmers require a separate pump that pumps water from the sump, along with air, into the skimmer.
     • All of the skimmers we sell include a pump.
   • Ultraviolet sterilizers kill free-floating parasites, such as the ich parasite, dramatically reducing the spread of disease in the aquarium.
     • They also help to control the growth of nuisance algae.
     • You may use a separate pump, or connect the UV in-line with one of your return lines to create water flow through the UV.
     • Water enters the UV sterilizer and passes by an ultraviolet light that kills the free-floating parasites.
   • Return pumps (either in-line or submersible) pump water from the sump back into the aquarium.
     • They should be strong enough to turn over the full volume of the aquarium 10-15 times per hour.
     • For example, a 100 gallon aquarium should have between 1000-1500 gallons pumped through it every hour.
     • Return pumps also create water movement in the aquarium, and can easily be connected to SCWD wavemakers to create changing currents.
   • Heater and/or chiller to keep the water temperature constant. Water heaters prevent the temperature from dropping at night when the lights are off.
   
   

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3. What is a refugium, and what does it do?
   • A refugium is a separate tank, connected to your aquarium system, that acts as a refuge for nitrate reducing macro-algae and provides a place for tiny invertebrates such as copepods and amphipods to grow.
   • Excess macro-algae that grows in a refugium can be used as a natural food source for tangs, and other herbivores in your display aquarium.
   • Tiny invertebrates such as copepods and amphipods will flourish in a refugium since there are no fish to eat them.
     • Many will eventually make their way into the display aquarium where the will act as a natural food source for many of the fish in your display aquarium.
   • Many hard to keep fish, such as the Green Mandarinfish, will thrive in aquarium systems that include a refugium.
     • They will feed off of the copepods and amphipods that make their way from the refugium to the aquarium.

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