Algae scrubber, Skimmer or both

[NS Mike D]

Ive been skimmerless for 2 years now and never looked back. I do have two fuges as I opted to go macro and took down my ATS (I need the pod factories for a mandarin) . A couple of notes. In lieu of dosing NO3 &PO4 a number of folks put their skimmer on a timer. It's up to you, the idea is the same end result.

I had pulled the filter socks, but since have opted the WWC route and heavily feed my corals daily so I need to remove the excess food and leave them in but changed them twice a week.

My corals have responded very positively

 

[mr9iron]

Ive been skimmerless for 2 years now and never looked back. I do have two fuges as I opted to go macro and took down my ATS (I need the pod factories for a mandarin) . A couple of notes. In lieu of dosing NO3 &PO4 a number of folks put their skimmer on a timer. It's up to you, the idea is the same end result.

I had pulled the filter socks, but since have opted the WWC route and heavily feed my corals daily so I need to remove the excess food and leave them in but changed them twice a week.

My corals have responded very positively

This is the route I’m planning on going as well. I can always pick up the skimmer if needed.

 

[Orm Embar]

Ive been skimmerless for 2 years now and never looked back. I do have two fuges as I opted to go macro and took down my ATS (I need the pod factories for a mandarin) . A couple of notes. In lieu of dosing NO3 &PO4 a number of folks put their skimmer on a timer. It's up to you, the idea is the same end result.

I had pulled the filter socks, but since have opted the WWC route and heavily feed my corals daily so I need to remove the excess food and leave them in but changed them twice a week.

My corals have responded very positively

The twice weekly sock changes would probably work well - BulkReefSupply has a video that rinsing filter socks every 3 days or less is optimal for phosphate/nitrate reduction from rotting food. Compared to not cleaning, the (rough) reduction in phosphate was 40% and nitrate 30% (which sounded surprisingly high to me, but made sense). Daily wasn't better, but every 3 days was much better than weekly.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/brstv-investigates-what-do-filter-socks-do-for-you/

 

[OREGONIC]

That video was awesome. He answered my question in five minutes but I felt compelled to keep watching. Thank you!

One thing I have noticed reading on this subject is that a lot of people remove their filter sock. I also noticed that you said you where not using filter socks. Is that Because you want the solids to break down into food for the algae? I was still thinking of running a socks Im assuming that any kind of nitrate removal would be beneficial. Did you ever try running just your scrubber and socks?

This is what I run in place of a filter sock. I feel it gives me more flexibility. I can use filter floss when I stir stuff up or if I notice the water has a lot of particles floating around, currently have floss in it in this pic. I can throw a bag of carbon in there is needed. If a buddy is starting up a tank I can put some bio media in there for a few weeks so they can seed their tank. I just made it from a plastic jug about the same size as a filter sock. I cut a ring off a sock and glued them together then drilled some holes near the bottom. I drilled a few holes, tested and added more till I got a drain rate I liked.

 

[TinyTinCans]

This is what I run in place of a filter sock. I feel it gives me more flexibility. I can use filter floss when I stir stuff up or if I notice the water has a lot of particles floating around, currently have floss in it in this pic. I can throw a bag of carbon in there is needed. If a buddy is starting up a tank I can put some bio media in there for a few weeks so they can seed their tank. I just made it from a plastic jug about the same size as a filter sock. I cut a ring off a sock and glued them together then drilled some holes near the bottom. I drilled a few holes, tested and added more till I got a drain rate I liked.

Excellent, so you still have a method in place to catch the large suspended items. That is kinda what I was thinking too. I like the idea of a stiff mesh that can be used for multiple functions. Thank you.
BTW the torch is sweet.

 

[russell13]

I run both a skimmer and a fuge. I think it falls under the same idea. I also run a dual reactor with GFO and carbon

 

[OREGONIC]

Excellent, so you still have a method in place to catch the large suspended items. That is kinda what I was thinking too. I like the idea of a stiff mesh that can be used for multiple functions. Thank you.
BTW the torch is sweet.

Thanks I love that torch. I tried both felt and mesh socks and they are a pain to keep up on. Floss is super easy to change and I have enough holes in the bottom to drain even if I leave the floss in there for a week or so. If you are thinking a mesh just make sure its at the bottom of whatever you use in place of the sock that way it forces water thru what ever you place inside instead of bypassing out the side. If you go the floss route I would suggest pinky filters over polyfil, just works better and doesn’t make the skimmer go as crazy.