Berlin system VS. Eco-system

[sk8boarder]

Which system better for a 90 to a 110 gallon tank?

I heard the Berlin system creates a yellowing in the water which in turn
creates more work when using activated carbon and then replacing trace elements into the water.

On the other hand i have heard that the eco-system is almost completely self sufficient but also requires to have more light fixtures.

Which filtration system is better?


Thank you

[bertoni]

To Reef Central

People run nice systems with both approaches. I wouldn't use the Eco-System mud because it can be messy and I don't think it adds much value. I think the equipment is overpriced for what it is. Making an equivalent filter yourself isn't very complicated. It's really just a refugium, in the end, as far as I'm concerned.

[jer77]

I would have to say either method would be fine for any size tank. I don't know where you got your information about each type, but you may be mislead. The berlin system really has nothing to do with yellowing of the water, at least I think so. The use of carbon and trace elements are the same for either system. The eco-system with the miracle mud can help self-sustain your tank by offering some trace elements. It also seems true IME with the eco-system method that the corals and small fish need to be fed less because of having a nice refugium where pods and other micro-life can grow. I take care of three tanks run with the eco-system method and I can say that the corals grow very fast and the clownfish and cardinals spawn and the babies survive. You do need a light over the refugium just like any other with the eco-system method to light the algae growing over the mud. As for which filtration system is better its really up to personal choice. Both are good. And even some people decide to combine the two by having a skimmer in the sump along with mud and algae in their refugium and live rock and a DSB. The eco-system method is worth considering though because of the results I've seen in the tanks I care for personally.

[Gdevine]

I run a 65g display and 35g EcoSystem refug with a powerful skimmer that can Handel 3 times this tank along with a UV filter and Phosphate reactor. I use NSW from here in SoFla and do weekly 10g change outs.

Lights are 4 station Tek Light HO T5 with two actinics and a 6500k mid day and 1100k super.

All I can say is that my tank thrives and my softies are simply magnificent. Pristine water and very healthy tank.

The fuge has more life in it then I can describe and as for the miracle mud being messy, not in my tank and I have a EcoMag 1065 return pump probably turning the water over 3 to 4 times an hour!

I do dose with Araga Milk for calcium and buffer plus one cap of EcoSystem Reef Solution.

Easy tank to manage. Ling is well known for this system and it's not hit or miss; it pretty much proven. (Although for the longest time he said a skimmer was not necessary with this system, and they might not be as there are tanks that thrive without one, but he's recommending one now and actually sells them...go figure.)

But that's why they make chocolate and vanilla!

[Gdevine]

I run a 65g display and 35g EcoSystem refug with a powerful skimmer that can Handel 3 times this tank along with a UV filter and Phosphate reactor. I use NSW from here in SoFla and do weekly 10g change outs.

Lights are 4 station Tek Light HO T5 with two actinics and a 6500k mid day and 1100k super.

All I can say is that my tank thrives and my softies are simply magnificent. Pristine water and very healthy tank.

The fuge has more life in it then I can describe and as for the miracle mud being messy, not in my tank and I have a EcoMag 1065 return pump probably turning the water over 3 to 4 times an hour!

I do dose with Araga Milk for calcium and buffer plus one cap of EcoSystem Reef Solution.

Easy tank to manage. Ling is well known for this system and it's not hit or miss; it pretty much proven. (Although for the longest time he said a skimmer was not necessary with this system, and they might not be as there are tanks that thrive without one, but he's recommending one now and actually sells them...go figure.)

But that's why they make chocolate and vanilla!

[David Grigor]

Combination of both. IMO: The more means of exports to limit nitrate/phosphate the better. Skimmer, siphoning detritus, water changes, and harvesting macro algae. While I use miracle mud as my refugium substrate, I feel the macro algae export and the denitrification the substrate provides is a more important contributor than the so-called time release trace elements from the mud.