Nutrients export

[Mattc904]

Setting up my first tank. 75 gal with 40b sump. I've watched brs52 multiple times as well as the brs/wwc and majority of all the other brs videos. Seems to mixed reviews and I'm looking for more opinions prior to siliconing the baffles in my sump. Fuge vs skimer vs both vs none? Note- I am going with a roller mat for particulate removal and from what I understand, those make fuges and skimmers not 100% necessary

 

[PYRU]

Imo a skimmer and fuge are invaluable. Recently I got into algae scrubbers and I think that will be what I do next.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/refugium-or-auto-rollermat.482137/#post-5256663

 

[EmdeReef]

Welcome to R2R!

I use all 3 - rollermat, fuge and a skimmer and still struggle to keep nutrients in check. But I tend to keep my tanks overstocked and then I overfeed like crazy.

I don’t think either a skimmer or a fuge is necessary but there are many benefits. I will always run a skimmer if for nothing else than water oxygenation and control of CO2 by adding a CO2 scrubber. Fuge will help export nutrients and also be a place for pods etc to thrive. Plus the algae may outcompete some in your tank and will also suck up CO2 and oxygenate water.

First question you should consider is what fish and how many you plan to keep. Corals etc.

If it were me building a sump, I’d build space for all 3 even if you don’t end up using one or more. Good luck!

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

I'm not sure I'd agree that a Fuge or Skimmer are invaluable. I've had a tank with just a fuge, just a skimmer and neither. If you keep up on your tank maintenance then you may not need either until you have a fully stocked tank. I'm currently running both a fuge and a skimmer and think both have provided benefits to my tank as mentioned above by @EmdeReef

 

[PatW]

I use filter socks, a skimmer and chaeto in a refugium. I feed a fair bit but even so I dose to keep measurable phosphates and nitrates. I feel that I get better stability by vigorous export and dosing.

 

[lapin]

Howdy.
Leave all options open. You may like using them all or end up hating one of them.

 

[Pete_the_Puma]

There is no "wrong" answer here, as long as you have some form of "nutrient" export that matches, roughly, the input into your tank. I run refugium and protein skimmer. This is where the science of reefkeeping intersects the art of reefkeeping and where you can get your own "flavor" to your tank.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

+1^

There is no wrong answer! I would personally go all out and build as if you were doing a fuge. This way you have the space if you decide to and won't have to worry about ripping your sump apart at a later date. It will also give you space for more bio filtration!