Too much filtration (and complexity)?

[mandarin417]

In setting up a new tank, I plan on using a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank full of rock and rubble (which I already have aging in another stock tank), a skimmer, maybe a Red Sea Reefmat and an external refugium plumbed into the system. I started thinking – is this overkill? Does is make sense to use rock/algae and refugia for biological filtration along with a skimmer and fleece roller? I want Pods but those already live in my rubble.

The rocks and rubble stay along with a skimmer but do I really need both a fleece roller and refugia or just one of them or neither of them to keep life simpler?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

All depends on what's going on in your tank. I would not run everything until there is a need thru testing. Zero or ultra low nutrients can be a problem too.

 

[ReefGeezer]

In setting up a new tank, I plan on using a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank full of rock and rubble (which I already have aging in another stock tank), a skimmer, maybe a Red Sea Reefmat and an external refugium plumbed into the system. I started thinking – is this overkill? Does is make sense to use rock/algae and refugia for biological filtration along with a skimmer and fleece roller? I want Pods but those already live in my rubble.

The rocks and rubble stay along with a skimmer but do I really need both a fleece roller and refugia or just one of them or neither of them to keep life simpler?

I set up my tank with rock in the display tank and a skimmer and rubble rock in the sump. I also used filter socks and a Cheato Fuge. Now all I have is the skimmer and the rock. There are 15 fish in my 90 reef along with corals and clean up crew. I feed a lot. Even with that, nutrients are not an issue. The corals and other stuff in the tank and sump consume a lot of nutrients. I still have to dose nitrates to keep them above 0. Phosphate stays around .06 ppm & there are plenty of methods to lower it should it become an issue.

I agree with @tuan's Reef. Start with rock and skimmer and add stuff when needed.

 

[mandarin417]

Thanks for the great advice Tuan's Reef and ReefGeezer - I was getting ahead of myself.