What method worked for you the best?

danangelo · Dec 1, 2015

With years of experience what method worked the best for you. For example zeovit or refugium, biopellets or other type of filtration. With so many different ways of im curious to see whats the most used and worked the best.

twilliard · Dec 1, 2015

A refugium and massively oversized skimmer is what I am down to

jason2459 · Dec 1, 2015

A combo

Carbon dosing with vinegar to reduce nitrates and maintain low phosphates

Skimmer to help remove excess bacteria exporting what they've consumed and anything else that attaches to the bubbles

Some kind of algae harvesting to work with the carbon dosing to remove unwanted elements and nutrients. Currently running a Turbo ATS.

Reversed Under gravel filter to increase microfauna, pods, worms, sponges, etc plus it may help reduce nitrates.

~1% daily automatic water changes exporting whatever and importing stuff.

Then a periodic (1-2x per year) typhoon with a diatom filter.

rayn · Dec 1, 2015

jason2459 said:
A combo

Carbon dosing with vinegar to reduce nitrates and maintain low phosphates

Skimmer to help remove excess bacteria exporting what they've consumed and anything else that attaches to the bubbles

Some kind of algae harvesting to work with the carbon dosing to remove unwanted elements and nutrients. Currently running a Turbo ATS.

Reversed Under gravel filter to increase microfauna, pods, worms, sponges, etc plus it may help reduce nitrates.

~1% daily automatic water changes exporting whatever and importing stuff.

Then a periodic (1-2x per year) typhoon with a diatom filter.

WOW! Went reverse under gravel huh? How long and how do you like it?

Me, I use a large skimmer and carbon dosing. Adding a pellot reactor soon.

Downbeach · Dec 1, 2015

The evolution (17yrs.)of my system (190 net gal.) equipmentwise, ended up with using an appropriately sized skimmer, Biopellet reactor, GAC and GFO reactors. I also kept a DSB, and about 150 lbs. of Pukani rock.

twilliard · Dec 1, 2015

Downbeach said:
The evolution (17yrs.)of my system (190 net gal.) equipmentwise, ended up with using an appropriately sized skimmer, Biopellet reactor, GAC and GFO reactors. I also kept a DSB, and about 150 lbs. of Pukani rock.

Nice!!

Ryan15236 · Dec 1, 2015

I feel like my filtration is pretty basic. I like it this way, less potential for failures and maintenance. Good quality and appropriately sized skimmer, Refugium. Filter socks changed with a weekly water change of about 10 gallons on my 160 gallon system. Rarely run GAC or GFO. Simple and the SPS seem happy. One thing I want to do in the future though is automated water changes about 2-3 a week. I think that will be the next step for me. My bioload is really low. As I increase it I may try some other things out if I start to become unhappy but this is the method I have used on my reefs over the past several years.

jason2459 · Dec 1, 2015

rayn said:
WOW! Went reverse under gravel huh? How long and how do you like it?

Me, I use a large skimmer and carbon dosing. Adding a pellot reactor soon.

Yep, I started using one in 2009 from following PaulB. I won't have a tank with out one. I have no idea on exactly how well it is at anything other then being the best breeding ground for all kinds of pods and other beneficial critters.

Doc Holiday · Dec 1, 2015

In this hobby the more simple the better, and the less that can go wrong. A big dang skimmer, LR and lots of water turnover is what I've used for 20 years. refuge is nice if you have space. Just keep in mind that a newly stocked refuge will take a long time to really settle in and be a highly productive filter for the tank. They do grow neat things though. Sometimes I enjoy looking at the fuge more than the display tank.

I've got mixed feelings about bio pellets though. I currently run one now and have been so for about a year. While it has restricted some algae growth it is giving me a fight with cyno though.

jason2459 · Dec 1, 2015

I started with a form of biopellets when the idea was starting up but found I liked the control and simplicity of dosing with vinegar better along with it being a direct path to consumption.

Paul B · Dec 1, 2015

A reverse UG filter is the heart of my system and all it needs. Jason SSSSShhhhh, don't let out the secret.

danangelo · Dec 2, 2015

Paul B said:
A reverse UG filter is the heart of my system and all it needs. Jason SSSSShhhhh, don't let out the secret.

Would you kindly expand on that reverse filter sir sounds interesting never heard that before . Yes let the secret out.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 2, 2015

My favorite and best growing for years was a deep sand bed aquaclear filter with carbon, and HOB refugium .
Grew anything. Seriously.

Hows the weather in Chula? Chilly here by SDSU

Paul B · Dec 2, 2015

danangelo said:
Would you kindly expand on that reverse filter sir sounds interesting never heard that before . Yes let the secret out.

I hate to let out the secret but a reverse UG filter is where you pump water through the gravel from the bottom, up. The water is filtered first. With this system there will be more bacteria and creatures in the gravel than any other system and it will allow the system to last forever. Or at least 44 years. But don't tell anyone. It is very old school so all you young uns never heard of it.

danangelo · Dec 2, 2015

Paul B said:
I hate to let out the secret but a reverse UG filter is where you pump water through the gravel from the bottom, up. The water is filtered first. With this system there will be more bacteria and creatures in the gravel than any other system and it will allow the system to last forever. Or at least 44 years. But don't tell anyone. It is very old school so all you young uns never heard of it.

Thanks Paul is that with dsb or ssb. Interesting.

danangelo · Dec 2, 2015

saltyfilmfolks said:
My favorite and best growing for years was a deep sand bed aquaclear filter with carbon, and HOB refugium .
Grew anything. Seriously.

Hows the weather in Chula? Chilly here by SDSU

About same finally the heat is gone.

.AcroKiller. · Dec 2, 2015

Huge skimmer, filter socks, carbon,bare bottom tank and lots of flow

jason2459 · Dec 2, 2015

danangelo said:
Thanks Paul is that with dsb or ssb. Interesting.

Gravel. Only a couple inches at most. I use a dolomite

You should check out Paul's new book he wrote. It's really a good read.
http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/avant-garde-marine-aquarist/

.

This was my 55g getting set back up in 2009. It basically made the entire bottom of the tank a refugium. I now have a 180 and use the RUGF in my sump.