skimmer, refugium or both

[Skunk Shrimp]

Hello everybody,

I currently have a skimmer in the sump and just got a light to start a refuge. I have had people tell me a skimmer is not necessary and you only really need one if you do not do regular water changes. I am not a huge fan of the skimmers but have one because I thought it best because people swear by them. I am thinking of going with just a refugium. I have heard good things and am trying to have a self sustaining tank as (much as possible.) Either way when the light comes in I might try it and due regular water test and keep a thread so people can judge for themselves. I tried to find something on r2r about this but was unsuccessful.

what are your opinions?

 

[Troylee]

I’m the opposite! Love skimmers and hate a fuge! Haha..

 

[Skunk Shrimp]

I’m the opposite! Love skimmers and hate a fuge! Haha..

How come? This will be my first fuge.

 

[Jason_MrFrags]

If you can make one big enough to export the nutrients then great!!

 

[Troylee]

How come? This will be my first fuge.

Skimmer Keeps my ph up and water crystal clear.. fuge becomes a dump in my experience just collects detrius and left over food etc.. a fuge does work I’m just really anal about keeping my tank and everything super clean.. I’ve gotten ocd at my old age.lol

 

[fish farmer]

How big is your tank? What does a regular water change mean to you weekly, twice weekly, every other week?

There are many was to reef, many would say I could run my 29 gallon with just water changes weekly...but I like to do other things on my weekends, so I run a fuge, skimmer and 10 percent water changes every other week or so.

 

[Skunk Shrimp]

Skimmer Keeps my ph up and water crystal clear.. fuge becomes a dump in my experience just collects detrius and left over food etc.. a fuge does work I’m just really anal about keeping my tank and everything super clean.. I’ve gotten ocd at my old age.lol

makes sense! haha i am pretty ocd too

 

[Skunk Shrimp]

How big is your tank? What does a regular water change mean to you weekly, twice weekly, every other week?

There are many was to reef, many would say I could run my 29 gallon with just water changes weekly...but I like to do other things on my weekends, so I run a fuge, skimmer and 10 percent water changes every other week or so.

80g and weekly water change. We just had a baby so my weekends aren’t to crazy anymore

 

[fish farmer]

80g and weekly water change. We just had a baby so my weekends aren’t to crazy anymore

If it was me I would definitely have a skimmer on that size tank and you already have the skimmer. What are you planning/have for fish?