Would going skimmerless on a macro algae setup be a good way to maintain nutrients in the water or does it really matter?
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I don’t. Neither does @Tigahboy. Large quantities of macroalgae takes the role of skimmer and might even require supplemental nitrates and phosphates.Would going skimmerless on a macro algae setup be a good way to maintain nutrients in the water or does it really matter?
@Greatreefer
According to Ken Feldermen research on carbon dosing in reef tanks, skimmers skew bacteria populations. With my focus on the microbial loop in reef tanks, I declined skimmers and focused on maximizing gas exchange with robust surface circulation and tumbling water from display to sump.
Yes protein skimmers remove specific bactetia only.This is interesting, thanks for sharing. Any thoughts on if skimmers without carbon dosing also key bacterial populations? Or would you also be able to share the link?
MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm podsI find skimmers are better but I choose to use algae as it’s natural and cheap. Plus it allows pods
I'm going to start up a 33 gallon long mangrove/ macro algae display with pipe fish and possible dragonettes. I'm looking at attempting to grow phyto along with some pod cultures in a separate system. For filtration on the new setup I was planning on running a sock filter and no skimmer. Would the addition of the live food cause excessive nutrient issues or would doing water changes help balance this out?
Ask away with the questions.This is really interesting stuff, thanks a lot for sharing. It really strikes some interesting topics; raises interesting questions…
Would going skimmerless on a macro algae setup be a good way to maintain nutrients in the water or does it really matter?
Subsea-
How long have you had your sponges?
Hi I just added refugium chamber in my sump and as I really enjoy this look I was wondering if I can get rid of skimmer and turn whole sump into fuge . DT 270L sump around 50L . Some crushed lava stone rumble + sachem matrix as substrate for bacteria
It may sound wierd , but can u draw it for me ? I may adapt your system if my DIY skills can handle itI choose not to use skimmers because they remove certain bacteria in the water column, which I recycle as food for sponges and other filter feeders. Gas exchange is critical in a reef tank and skimmers provide excellent gas exchange. I design skimmerless systems with robust circulation at the water surface. Also cascading waterfalls into sump, using baffles to exaggerate gas exchange. Even a wet dry section using any matrix or rubble where water from display goes into sump.