refugium or skimmer

jayreef1213 · 10/19/2008, 05:22 AM

Assuming you dont have thousands for a Deltec Skimmer etc.. What are your thoughts on skimming vs. refugium? Are you better off with one awsome refugium and get the best skimmer you can? Go all refugium? or all skimmer? I am leaning towards refugium and best skimmer you can afford.

I dont want this to turn into a ford vs. chevy skimmer battle etc. but just want peoples exsp. in this subject. Thanks and parden my spelling.

68551 · 10/19/2008, 05:45 AM

They serve 2 different purposes....The skimmer removes organics from the water that if remained could pollute & start nitrate problems....The fuge cultures copods & creatures where they can multiply without being eaten in the main display....If you have macro algae in the fuge it will give the critters a place to hide & help with nitrates but not as well as the skimmer.....

CaptainCoral · 10/19/2008, 07:58 AM

There are a lot of unknown variables for a definite answer. Is your bio load small/medium/large? What types of corals are you keeping? If "only skimmer", how much is the best you can afford? How large a refugium will be used? How much live rock or natural nitrate reduction capacity does the tank have?

Everyone's answer will be biased somewhat. I personally have never had a tank run as clean and stable without a fuge than with one. I also find that a refugium at 40 to 50% of the display's volume is much better than smaller.

I keep a 75g softie tank with a small bioload and a 39g RDSB fuge with macro which has no skimmer. My 180g has big eaters in it, and skimmerless just isn't an option. Although, maybe I haven't tried a big enough fuge on it.

ccradr · 10/19/2008, 08:50 AM

You need a skimmer no matter what!! If you don't get one, you will be sorry as you throw away lots of money in corals and fish. You dont have to by a Deltec(although I love mine). You can by an affordable skimmer for your budget that will do what you need it to do. About the fuge: Ive run with and without. I like having the fuge for all the mentioned by CaptainCoral...provides a more stable enviroment for the tank.

CaptainCoral · 10/19/2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

I keep a 75g softie tank with a small bioload and a 39g RDSB fuge with macro which has no skimmer

Not only can it be done, I've been doing it for a long time. The proof is in the pudding. It's not for everyone, but you cannot argue with results.

mfinn · 10/19/2008, 09:37 AM

Since they both do the same thing, and you don't have to spend thousands on a skimmer shoot for both.
There are several new skimmers out now that are only a few hundred.
The MSX line is one.
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...ql7bp26ji84do7

jayreef1213 · 10/19/2008, 10:19 AM

i think going over board on both can be good but being that a refuge. can also feed your tank would it be better to focus on a killer fuge than focus on getting a killer skimmer? I am only raisng this question because I went to a larger sump 100 gal. and I currently had a 30 gallon refuge. and I upgraded to a 55 refuge. I have a G3 modded which is rated for 250 without the mod's and a total system volume of 330 gallons with the new sump and fuge. What ya think? Will the 55 gallon fuge make up for my under sized skimmer?

mfinn · 10/19/2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayreef1213
Will the 55 gallon fuge make up for my under sized skimmer?

I don't believe it would.

I had a ASM G4x and it was a pos.

You really should get a good skimmer and use a refugium for best results.

But that's just my opinion

10/19/2008, 05:22 AM	#1
jayreef1213 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NY Posts: 124	refugium or skimmer Assuming you dont have thousands for a Deltec Skimmer etc.. What are your thoughts on skimming vs. refugium? Are you better off with one awsome refugium and get the best skimmer you can? Go all refugium? or all skimmer? I am leaning towards refugium and best skimmer you can afford. I dont want this to turn into a ford vs. chevy skimmer battle etc. but just want peoples exsp. in this subject. Thanks and parden my spelling.

10/19/2008, 05:45 AM	#2
68551 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Pa..... Posts: 517	They serve 2 different purposes....The skimmer removes organics from the water that if remained could pollute & start nitrate problems....The fuge cultures copods & creatures where they can multiply without being eaten in the main display....If you have macro algae in the fuge it will give the critters a place to hide & help with nitrates but not as well as the skimmer..... __________________ Because inquiring minds NEED to know.......sue Current Tank Info: 6/2006 first tank 75g no sump...10/2008, 120 g corner Bow w/overflow, Tunze Osmolator, & 2/ Vortech (40's) PHs, Currents Orbit Lighting w/2/MH150's & 4/t5's plus white & blue moonlighting, Elos NS1000 Skimmer, rk2, Eshopps sump w/fuge & Cheato...

10/19/2008, 07:58 AM	#3
CaptainCoral Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Naperville,IL Posts: 1,104	There are a lot of unknown variables for a definite answer. Is your bio load small/medium/large? What types of corals are you keeping? If "only skimmer", how much is the best you can afford? How large a refugium will be used? How much live rock or natural nitrate reduction capacity does the tank have? Everyone's answer will be biased somewhat. I personally have never had a tank run as clean and stable without a fuge than with one. I also find that a refugium at 40 to 50% of the display's volume is much better than smaller. I keep a 75g softie tank with a small bioload and a 39g RDSB fuge with macro which has no skimmer. My 180g has big eaters in it, and skimmerless just isn't an option. Although, maybe I haven't tried a big enough fuge on it. __________________ I have 300 lbs. of pet rock Current Tank Info: 55[QuarantineTank],75[softie,clown/anemone], and 180 AGA reefs Last edited by CaptainCoral; 10/19/2008 at 08:05 AM.

10/19/2008, 09:37 AM	#6
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	Since they both do the same thing, and you don't have to spend thousands on a skimmer shoot for both. There are several new skimmers out now that are only a few hundred. The MSX line is one. http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...ql7bp26ji84do7 __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

10/19/2008, 08:50 AM	#4
ccradr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 605	You need a skimmer no matter what!! If you don't get one, you will be sorry as you throw away lots of money in corals and fish. You dont have to by a Deltec(although I love mine). You can by an affordable skimmer for your budget that will do what you need it to do. About the fuge: Ive run with and without. I like having the fuge for all the mentioned by CaptainCoral...provides a more stable enviroment for the tank.

10/19/2008, 10:19 AM	#7
jayreef1213 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NY Posts: 124	i think going over board on both can be good but being that a refuge. can also feed your tank would it be better to focus on a killer fuge than focus on getting a killer skimmer? I am only raisng this question because I went to a larger sump 100 gal. and I currently had a 30 gallon refuge. and I upgraded to a 55 refuge. I have a G3 modded which is rated for 250 without the mod's and a total system volume of 330 gallons with the new sump and fuge. What ya think? Will the 55 gallon fuge make up for my under sized skimmer?