The sump/refugium is your filter. Canister filters are more of a freshwater toy 
Your primary filter will be a biological filter. The micro fauna and bacteria the live in the live rock and sand break down the waste. It takes time for this biological cycle to start working. This is referred to cycling your tank and is a period of time typically 2-3 months before you add any fish to the tank.
The main advantages to have a refugium are: 1. Increased water volume. The more water the easier it is to keep the tank stable. 2. Better algae control. By running the lights in the refugium for a longer period than the DT you provide a better environment of algae. It grows in the refugium instead of the DT. 3. More stable pH. The pH drops during the night because CO2 build-up from the creatures but no photosynthesis. By having the photoperiod of use refugium opposite the DT the tank is always processing CO2. 4. Provides a safer environment for pods (fish food) to grow.
There are more but theses are the big ones. Enjoy and ask more questions
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Your primary filter will be a biological filter. The micro fauna and bacteria the live in the live rock and sand break down the waste. It takes time for this biological cycle to start working. This is referred to cycling your tank and is a period of time typically 2-3 months before you add any fish to the tank.
The main advantages to have a refugium are: 1. Increased water volume. The more water the easier it is to keep the tank stable. 2. Better algae control. By running the lights in the refugium for a longer period than the DT you provide a better environment of algae. It grows in the refugium instead of the DT. 3. More stable pH. The pH drops during the night because CO2 build-up from the creatures but no photosynthesis. By having the photoperiod of use refugium opposite the DT the tank is always processing CO2. 4. Provides a safer environment for pods (fish food) to grow.
There are more but theses are the big ones. Enjoy and ask more questions
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
