berlin or ecosystems method filtration?

[krusty23]

hi all,

i was wondering what type of filtration system i should buy for my new tank.

Berlin? i.e. mechanical filtration & skimmer (probably the tunze reefpack)

or Ecosystem? sump/refugium with some kind of mudfilter (miracle, fiji or some other kind) + macroalgae w 24/7 lighting & skimmerless?

Which one is easier to maintain water parameters at optimal level as a noob? Which is best for the animals, polyp extension, coral & fish health, & the like?

Is there a good thread discussing this topic (couldn't find any)?

btw my tank is going to be about 40g

advice would be much appreciated.

 

[SnowManSnow]

MOST reef keepers filter their tank by having live rock and a good skimmer. There are exeptions, but most people do not use a mechanical filter or any type of mud.

IMO get your LR in there and allow it to cycle (have patience) then find yourself the best skimmer that you can afford. IMO stay AWAY from Seaclones and Prism skimmers.

A skimmer will probably be the second most expensive thing on your list for setting up a tank (lighting probably being your first), but it is somthing that you don't want to skimp on.

B

 

[krusty23]

thanks a lot.

so you are basically saying, you can do fine without the refugium+algae (algae being the central thing here not the mud), but no matter what it is not recommendable to run a tank without a skimmer?

the people that propagate a skimmerless system with refugium/algae are saying, that a skimmer would wash out important minerals as e.g. calcium from the system, making it necessary to dose these more often & generally making it harder to maintain proper concentrations (especially in a small system). plus that they also would take out benefical stuff as plankton & the like.

But what are the cons of the refugium/algae solution? I'd love to hear what kind of problems this solution might cause.

 

[SnowManSnow]

if you have room in yoru sump then a refugium isnt a bad thing at all. I would love to have a big one under my tank. A skimmer isn't going to deplete your calcium levels, and it is VERY DIFFICULT to maintain live plankton in a reef tank... especially one as small as 40g.

If you have room then run a refugium under your main tank with a skimmer in conjunction to it.

Some will argue against a skimmer, but I personally feel like the pros FAR outweigh the cons.

When you do get in the market for a skimmer I would also suggest getting one that is rated for at LEAST double your total water volume.

Just my opinions.

B

 

[krusty23]

thanks again.

so you say both would be ideal? Since i don't have the cash, i'd have to buy one of the systems first, and one later, or just save up even longer and buy both to start with?

do you think it would be a bad idea to get the system up and running without a skimmer and then add one later? I figured the overflow & plumbing is not as easily added later on as a skimmer. Surely a hob overflow or complete fuge don't do their job as well as those integrated in the tank from start-off (with overflow-box and holes drilled in the tank), or do they?

Anyway should i start with a skimmer or a fuge, or is it really recommendable with both?

 

[FinalPhaze987]

i run both, but if i were to rec. only one i would say run a skimmer...a skimmer can pull out waste before it is converted into nitrate...a fuge removes nitrates and phosphates, but does nothing to lower the production of them...a HOB fuge is as easy to plumb as a skimmer, so i wouldnt worry too much about that...ive never heard of a skimmer removing Ca from the water, but even if it did, that, along with the rest of the elements it removes can be replaced via water changes...

 

[mr_X]

a skimmer does a great job removing dissolved organic compounds from the water. once you get one, and you see how much gunk it pulls out of your tank, you'll be happy you have it.
i have a sump with refugium (no mud, just some live rock rubble and macros), and a skimmer. i think i could live without the fuge, but not the skimmer.
also, i don't dose anything, so atleast my skimmer, doesn't pull anything good out of the water :wink:

 

[shavo]

I use a refugium with live rock and substrate and macro algea and a skimmer in there too. Everything has been completely stable for 2 years now with this set up. I would reccomend doing fuge and skimmer to be honest.

 

[Anonymous]

I would start with the skimmer first. Get the best/biggest you can afford (with inreason). If you are going to do the refugium you can add it at any time as long as the space is there and it has been planned for.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, what Wazzel said.

 

[cindre2000]

And ask some knowledgeable people about the skimmer you are thinking about before you buy it. Some skimmers say 100-400 gallons but are only really effective on 75g or less.