Skimmer or Refugium??

[LeftFootedJedi]

I have room for one more piece of equipment in my 20G AIO peninsula.. thinking of these two. My goal is to set up a self sustaining tank that can withstand the sporadic two week water change when I travel once in a while. The 2nd goal being I like letting natural filtration as much as possible, but also need something that is user or newb friendly.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I use both, but I'm assuming you only have a very small space to work with so I'd say skimmer (although both can be accomplished with an external reactor or hob fuge).

 

[LeftFootedJedi]

That’s correct, the middle chamber can accommodate one or the other but not both.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Ya I really like the idea of natural filtration (chaeto), but imo with just a small space a skimmer is the way to go

 

[Euphyllia97]

Would say skimmer! It will probably be more effective compared to a refugium with that size tank

 

[LeftFootedJedi]

My LFS shot both down, says neither was necessary if I change water weekly or bi-weekly which might be true. But what if I am gone, get sick or restricted to only using my left foot?

 

[beaslbob]

refugium.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

They are right, you don't technically need either. But chaeto and skimmers are great options to keep your tank healthy. What did they recommend? Just live rock and water changes?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I can almost guarantee you that your lfs is using skimmers on their tanks

 

[G60bv]

What about a skimmer and a bio rector. It could be plumbed out of the base..

 

[a4edwin]

I don’t thing I’ve ever seen a lfs by me not run a skimmer aside from Petco the one by me uses a fleece roller.

 

[LeftFootedJedi]

I don’t have room for a sump or to add much below as my my ATO reservoir occupies what little space I have.

I’m also sure my LFS uses something, but he definitely wasn’t trying to sell me more equipment which was odd but maybe refreshing as well. He said both are viable but don’t much compared to more frequent water changes.

 

[BeMoto]

I think it depends on your bio load. Cleaning habits, and size of refugium or skimmer..... might be worth trying one for sixs months at a time if your able too.

 

[theMeat]

Skimmer

 

[Slawman]

Skimmer hands down. You would need a MASSIVE fuge to export as much gunk as a good well tuned skimmer.

 

[madlos123]

Depends if you have tons of corals. for scale, I currently have 7 blue green chromis, 2 firefish, 1 tail spot goby on my 40 gallon breeder with just a an aquaclear 110 for chaeto fuge 8h a day. my tank is full of LPS euphyllia. I feed 2 cubes per day and 2x flakes. I have to dose nitrates and phosphates as my corals and chaeto is keeping my nitrates and phosphates near 0 or undetected by test kits causing my corals to suffer. so if you dont have loys of corals it might be different but a fuge can literally strip nutrients like mad when set up right.
Heres my recent video proof.

 

[MSOEME2009]

I also have a 20G AIO peninsula. I use a Fiji Cube HOB refugium. Works well. I repiped it though and the pump picks up from the middle chamber. No skimmer. AWC though...

 

[Tim Olson]

I use both a refugium and a skimmer, but I have a high bio load. It's pretty amazing how much the refugium removes, but you need to make sure you have a high quality light for it. My skimmer also takes out a bunch. So it's hard to recommend one over the other, although, I would probably start with a skimmer.

 

[William Mumford]

Skimmer cups can overflow while you are away. You can put it on an automatic shut off but then it could be off the entire time you are away. The refugium cannot overflow or malfunction while you are away.

 

[msduarte99]

I use both a refugium and a skimmer, but I have a high bio load. It's pretty amazing how much the refugium removes, but you need to make sure you have a high quality light for it. My skimmer also takes out a bunch. So it's hard to recommend one over the other, although, I would probably start with a skimmer.

What light do you use in your refugium?