Large Skimmer OR Med Skimmer and Refugium combo ??

[Aktric1]

Hi Everyone
I'm putting together a Red Sea 250 w/ the V3 sump and I'm currently debating whether I do a large skimmer and loose the refugium or a med sized skimmer and refugium combo. I am planning a SPS/Acro tank and would like some advice.

Thanks in advance R2R community

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

You can be successful with either.

I prefer a skimmer/refugium set-up, because there are other benefits to the refugium than the nutrient export. Over the years, I’m finding myself managing skimmer use a lot more (and using it a lot less).

 

[Aktric1]

You can be successful with either.

I prefer a skimmer/refugium set-up, because there are other benefits to the refugium than the nutrient export. Over the years, I’m finding myself managing skimmer use a lot more (and using it a lot less).

Thanks Gregg, what type of reef do you have ?

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

Thanks Gregg, what type of reef do you have ?

I have a company that manages reef aquariums for clients. Personally, I have about 20 or so tanks that I do, and they’re a little bit of everything...mostly mixed, some heavier with soft, some heavier with SPS. It’s nice, because I get to try new things all the time...but inevitably, my systems tend to get simpler and simpler.

This is my 2nd go-round with refugiums after kinda moving away from them about 10 years ago. I’ve learned how to manage them a little differently (and better) so that they aren’t too efficient. I should say, so that the filtration as a whole isn’t too efficient. A lot of that has to do with dialing back skimming, GFO, letting coral growth and metabolism be it’s own nutrient export, etc.

 

[Aktric1]

I have a company that manages reef aquariums for clients. Personally, I have about 20 or so tanks that I do, and they’re a little bit of everything...mostly mixed, some heavier with soft, some heavier with SPS. It’s nice, because I get to try new things all the time...but inevitably, my systems tend to get simpler and simpler.

This is my 2nd go-round with refugiums after kinda moving away from them about 10 years ago. I’ve learned how to manage them a little differently (and better) so that they aren’t too efficient. I should say, so that the filtration as a whole isn’t too efficient. A lot of that has to do with dialing back skimming, GFO, letting coral growth and metabolism be it’s own nutrient export, etc.

That makes a lot of sense, creating a self sufficient system with the least leg work. What would you consider too efficient filtration ? (probably a hard question to answer but id rather ask then keep wondering)

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

That makes a lot of sense, creating a self sufficient system with the least leg work. What would you consider too efficient filtration ? (probably a hard question to answer but id rather ask then keep wondering)

Simply, taking out too much of the nutrients corals require.

Compared to the old days, it is now very easy to virtually strip the system of NO3 and PO4 (among other things) and create a situation where corals struggle to grow.

When a refugium is utilizing PO4 and NO3, and then skimmer cranking taking out whatever, carbon taking out whatever, GFO stripping phosphate, etc, then sometimes there’s not much left that the corals need.

 

[dbjonesjr]

If your goal is low nutrients then I would go with a refugium. I have trouble getting phosphates and nitrates up with a skimmer and refugium. Hell, I have trouble getting nutrients up when I turn the skimmer off and feed heavy but leave chaeto in the refugium. Anyways point is I’d go with the combo so you have more flexibility.

 

[dbjonesjr]

Also a second item to consider that I hadn’t thought of earlier is if you plan to upgrade to a larger system in the near future. If that is the case you may want to consider a larger skimmer.