Roller vs. Skimmer

[KK's Reef]

Just as the title says, which is generally better for an AIO setup? Fleece roller or protein skimmer? I haven't looked into the skimmer yet, but I am thinking about the IM Nuvo Roller Pro to go on an IM Nuvo 40 gallon AIO. Looking for nutrient control as well as water polishing.

 

[mboley]

Skimmer hands down. A roller mat can't aerate your tank or remove dissolved organics.

 

[OrlandoReef]

Skimmer if you can’t use both.

 

[HossAquatics]

I havent used either, but I have seen more skimmers recommended than rollers

 

[BryanM]

Skimmer

 

[Tahoe61]

Skimmer.

 

[Reef.]

Definitely not the skimmer in a aio 40g, either the roller or filter socks, I actually use an internal filter Eheim pickup, I wash the sponge 2/3 times a week.

 

[mboley]

Definitely not the skimmer in a aio 40g, either the roller or filter socks, I actually use an internal filter Eheim pickup, I wash the sponge 2/3 times a week.

And your reasoning?

 

[slingfox]

I would go for both but if I could only choose one it would be skimmer. This is assuming that any no rollermat setup would be replaced with some other lower tech option such as socks or filter fleece.

 

[KK's Reef]

Definitely not the skimmer in a aio 40g, either the roller or filter socks, I actually use an internal filter Eheim pickup, I wash the sponge 2/3 times a week.

Washing a sponge or changing filter floss 2 to 3 times a week is something I'd want to avoid, though.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Really depends on your bioload, parameters, and what you’d like to achieve.

I prefer the roller over skimmer but I hate changing those socks. It sucks. lol.

But most AIO have some sort of skimmer option.

Are you currently set up and having parameter issues?

If so, I would focus on that and choose based on what you want to achieve.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

if i did more than skim, i would not have nitrates in my tank at all

 

[Reef.]

Washing a sponge or changing filter floss 2 to 3 times a week is something I'd want to avoid, though.

I mentioned 3 options, two of them doesn’t require washing sponge.

 

[KK's Reef]

Really depends on your bioload, parameters, and what you’d like to achieve.

I prefer the roller over skimmer but I hate changing those socks. It sucks. lol.

But most AIO have some sort of skimmer option.

Are you currently set up and having parameter issues?

If so, I would focus on that and choose based on what you want to achieve.

No, not set up yet. Still in the planning stage. I have the tank already, though.