Skimmer or Fuge?

Sparky0028 · #1 05/30/2006, 03:57 PM

I have a 37 gal tank with a sump in the stand. The sump is divide by egg crate to create an area for chaeto. The stand is so small that I have been running skimmer less since i set it up.
My question here is would I be getting better nutrient export with a good skimmer and lose the chaeto (which I remove a good size every four weeks).

Thanks
Rich

Travis L. Stevens · #2 05/30/2006, 04:15 PM

It all depends on your tank. If you heavily feed your tank or your livestock makes large waste, then the skimmer will most likely actively take it out easier before it becomes nitrates. But if you have a large amount of small stuff and don't feed often and still need a way to control nitrates, then a refugium would be the way to go because most of the waste will become nitrates before it can be skimmed out. If you can, just do both.

Aquabucket · #3 05/30/2006, 04:19 PM

Depends how many fish you plan on stocking.

Anyway I get great results with cheato and have never owned a skimmer. I also maintain a sw dept for an LFS and none of them have skimmers just wads of chaeto in the refugiums.

Here is a pic from my 30G. There is no fuge on this tank but the chaeto is wadded up behind the rocks. If you look closely you can see some in the back. This tank had 3 fish in it at the time. Now everything is in a 40 breeder.

frederickk · #4 05/31/2006, 07:18 AM

Hey nice pic aquabucket

Sparky0028 · #5 05/31/2006, 09:25 AM

Thanks Travis and Aquabucket

The bioload is average and i don't feed that heavy. Doing both is not an option, lack of space and I don't like the look of a skimmer haning off the back of the tank.
I never hand any problems with nitrates so I guess the fuge is doing a good job.

Thanks again for your help
Nice tank Aquabucket

Rich