Filtration options and questions

[saltysailor]

Hi all I just acquired a 130D Red Sea used. It came without it’s protein skimmer or any filtration except for the power pump. I need your guys help on deciding what filtration I should do. I thought about doing a mini refugium w bio balls in the bottom where the protein skimmer is supposed to be. Or should I just protein skimmer and bio balls. I don’t want to do a sump bc it’s an all in one and I like that but I am open to hob options. Also what about carbon reactors, phosphate reactors, etc... there are so many options I feel overwhelmed.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I personally don't think use of bio balls are needed. Your live rock should suffice.

 

[saltysailor]

I personally don't think use of bio balls are needed. Your live rock should suffice.

Are you suggesting just running protein skimmer w live rock?

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

What is your end game? What do you want to keep? Fish only? Corals?

IMO definitely a Skimmer.

Consider ATS (Algae Turf Scrubber) and UV sterilizer.

Media blocks vs live rock in sump?

I like to keep is simple. But what do I know...

Good luck!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Are you suggesting just running protein skimmer w live rock?

Yes.
Old school reefing is built around "The Berlin method".

Rock, sand and skimming for biological filtration.

It's all I do, except for some GAC in a reactor from time to time and running a UV sterilizer.

In my ATO reservoir I use Kalkwasser.

Other than that, Berlin method.

 

[saltysailor]

Yes.
Old school reefing is built around "The Berlin method".

Rock, sand and skimming for biological filtration.

It's all I do, except for some GAC in a reactor from time to time and running a UV sterilizer.

In my ATO reservoir I use Kalkwasser.

Other than that, Berlin method.

Beautiful

 

[saltysailor]

Beautiful

Next question would be how to size a skimmer, also the more bio filtration the better so if I have space I might as well throw some extra filtration in there if I have it.