Skimmer or Filter Roller for 30 cube

[ruxsir]

I am setting up a 30 gallon cube tank with a 5.5 gallon sump. I will only be able to fit either a filter roller (Clarisea sk3000) or a protein skimmer.

If you had to pick, which piece of equipment would you choose.

 

[TX_REEF]

i'd choose the skimmer if i could only pick one. It is more tunable than a roller if you want to ramp nutrient export up or down, and it also enhances gas exchange/oxygenation.

 

[ruxsir]

i'd choose the skimmer if i could only pick one. It is more tunable than a roller if you want to ramp nutrient export up or down, and it also enhances gas exchange/oxygenation.

Thanks!

 

[exnisstech]

Who will be the the tie breaker lol
I would choose roller. I have 5 tanks running but only use a skimmer on one that has a huge bioload. My acro tank runs a reefmat only. Others run floss and one no filtration at all.
That's one of the things i like about this hobby, there are so many different ways to do things and still be successful.
EDIT
I'll shut my roller down at night and let it overflow sometimes if nutrients get lower then I like.

 

[ruxsir]

Who will be the the tie breaker lol
I would choose roller. I have 5 tanks running but only use a skimmer on one that has a huge bioload. My acro tank runs a reefmat only. Others run floss and one no filtration at all.
That's one of the things i like about this hobby, there are so many different ways to do things and still be successful.
EDIT
I'll shut my roller down at night and let it overflow sometimes if nutrients get lower then I like.

Thanks. My other issue with a skimmer is finding one that can operate in about 5 inches of water. Most need 7-8 inches which won’t allow enough room for sump back flow.

 

[Rjramos]

I am setting up a 30 gallon cube tank with a 5.5 gallon sump. I will only be able to fit either a filter roller (Clarisea sk3000) or a protein skimmer.

If you had to pick, which piece of equipment would you choose.

The skimmer , drop the incoming water on a sock or simple blue bonded floss pad.

 

[ruxsir]

What skimmer would you recommend? Without the water level being too high in the sump.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Frankly its a small enough tank that weekly water changes should be enough to maintain a healthy tank. Since its only a 5 gallon sump, I would hold off on anything for now, see what you need later on when the tank really gets going. If your set on getting one or the other right now, personally I would go for the skimmer.

 

[exnisstech]

You may be able to find a decent hob skimmer if you really wanted to run both. They both perform different duties so running both can be a nice option. Don't forget to factor in the cost of fleece also, it can add up. IIRC my bubble magus curve 5 ran in 5 inches of water. It would constantly overflow when I tried it at the recommended height
This is not a recommendation just throwing options out because so many people say mechanical filtration is a requirement.
I run no filtration on this tank.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Skimmer adds oxygen to the tank and when my skimmer malfunctions my corals look stressed. I would just do water changes and a nice skimmer on a tank that size and u will be golden!

 

[ruxsir]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I’m thinking I will go the skimmer route now. Maybe add an hang on filter sock too.