Filter Roller or skimmer?

[riche]

As Im trying to build my sump, When i bought a bunch of supplies from a friend I got both a skimmer and a roller mat.

Well with the sump I am building I cant use both, I'm leaning towards using the skimmer as I want to go with a less hands in the sump theory but I like the idea of the filter roller as it will help keep the water crystal clear

What says you the smart ones of the reefing hobby ?

 

[MnFish1]

The skimmer > Roller. Both > Roller alone. . why? because its one more thing that can 'fail' and need replacement. (And You can have crystal clear water without a roller)

PS - I dont consider myself smart - just opinionated

 

[Brucealmighty]

In my experience of using both, ever since my roller filter has been installed I have had a whole lot less to do with the skimmer, as in once weekly emptying has gone to fortnightly, because the roller pulls a whole load of crud from the water. It must be noted too that deficiency of phosphates and nitrates for sps corals can occur from using a roller fleece and skimmer but it also gives you the chance to 'fine tune' your equipment and have a more stable aquarium by adjustments of flow through the roller some people make a small bypass pipe to allow unfiltered water back into the system.

If I had to choose just one I would go with the roller because of my experience with my aquarium

Other people may argue with the skimmer for oxygenation of the water but I rely on surface agitation to do that and I live in a rented piece of Swiss cheese with a front door so oxygen in my home is always a plenty