ATS vs SKIMMER?!?

Theo15 · Nov 12, 2017

Let me hear your guys thoughts on this. Both? SKIMMER? Or just ATS?

EriksOasis · Nov 12, 2017

Both of you can. A protein skimmer removes the dissolved organics before they break down. And a ats removes nitrates and excess nutrients from the water after they have already been dissolved into the water column. Running both would make for a great system imo.

Theo15 · Nov 12, 2017

EriksOasis said:
Both of you can. A protein skimmer removes the dissolved organics before they break down. And a ats removes nitrates and excess nutrients from the water after they have already been dissolved into the water column. Running both would make for a great system imo.

Do you think that will make the water too clean ? There will be no food for corals

EriksOasis · Nov 12, 2017

Depends on feeding regimen honestly. I feed up to four times a day. I switch between pellets and frozen mysis and brine and cyclops and I have a skimmer and refugium with chaeto and my nitrates stay below 10.

Theo15 · Nov 12, 2017

I've read that a ATS is better than a refugium, any input on that ?

EriksOasis · Nov 12, 2017

Yeah I know a couple people running ATS and have no issue keeping nitrates to a minimum. Plus the ones they used are all in one so cleaning out the algae is as easy as opening it up and pulling the algae out and then they are done.

Theo15 · Nov 12, 2017

EriksOasis said:
Yeah I know a couple people running ATS and have no issue keeping nitrates to a minimum. Plus the ones they used are all in one so cleaning out the algae is as easy as opening it up and pulling the algae out and then they are done.

The reason I ask is because I bought one from Santa Monica and I was wondering if they are good?

Dr.Xipoles · Nov 12, 2017

Both would be great if you had the space. If i had to pick one I would recommend ats just because youre keeping the algae out of the DT. With a skimmer, you might still have algae in the DT based on skimmer efficientcy. It also depends on what corals youre keeping. For softies i would do just a ats. Ive seen guys go just skimmer too. For lps and sps, i'd go both.

EriksOasis · Nov 12, 2017

The Santa Monica ones are the ones I’ve heard about.

EriksOasis · Nov 12, 2017

Here’s a couple pics of the one I’ve heard about and seen success from.

Theo15 · Nov 13, 2017

Ok cool , looks like a good investment then

kamike91 · Nov 13, 2017

Theo15 said:
I've read that a ATS is better than a refugium, any input on that ?

Personal experience, I had tumbling chaeto and DIY ATS. Eventually the cheato died out being out competed by the ATS. I'm guessing because hair algae grows way faster than cheato. A lot of the other threads I read said the same thing.

I have an oversized skimmer for my tank and a DIY ATS. Sure my tank sometimes runs too clean. But it's a lot easier to add nitrates and phosphates (extra feeding, nitrate, phosphate additives) than to have to clean a tank up (water changes, GFO, dripping lanthanum chloride...etc). My favorite thing to do is feed my fish, which i get to do 4 times a day now. The corals are happy too with nitrates and phosphates always close to 0. If I don't feed so often they do tend to show signs of stress though.

I think skimmer and ATS work well together.

Coralfuture · Nov 13, 2017

I use both personally and system sits at 0 nitrates/0 phosphates. Algae is rather uncommon in the system and the corals look rather happy. I feed a lot and would call the system a high nutrient export system with happy corals!

Theo15 · Nov 13, 2017

What about water changes , has the ATS had any effect on that?

Salty1962 · Nov 13, 2017

I use both. I believe they complement each other. I don't get much out of my skimmer so it keeps oxygen levels up. I run an oversized PS and a Turbo's Aquatis L4.