Ecosystems
- Thread starter traderrob
- Start date
Definately pricey!! I have 30 lbs of MM in my fuge and am currently running skimmerless. No worries so far. Someone here has a 180g running for about 3 years with an awesome display.
I made my own fuge from a 50 gallon tank, which cut out several hundred $$ from the price. The mud was still expensive, but not much in this hobby isn't.
I made my own fuge from a 50 gallon tank, which cut out several hundred $$ from the price. The mud was still expensive, but not much in this hobby isn't.
spongebobby
Member
I use one and have had excellent results. Although i run a skimmer 24/7. My coral growth has far surpassed my previous set-up. This tank has only been set-up since Sept 05 and my corals have grown more in 5 months than they did for a year in my previous set-up. Also seems like WC are less frequent than before. I use caulerpa in the sump. They are very pricey but someone who is handy could definately reproduce this set-up and save themselves a couple $$$$. JMO
I just looked at a few pics of an Ecosystem sump, and made one similar. I am currently using Culerpa algae, though it's not growing very well. I have a small bioload (7 small fish), but there is no algae in the display. I use base nano rock instead of bioballs. 40 lbs wasn't expensive, and might actually work a little better.
I'm not going to argue the skimmer/no skimmer setup. Both work and neither are foolproof.
I'm not going to argue the skimmer/no skimmer setup. Both work and neither are foolproof.
sassyfishy
New member
I have an ecosystem with miracle mud on my 40g setup. Macro growth has been awesome (probably due in part to high nitrates!). I have Caulerpa Racemosa & Caulerpa Nummularia in the refugium. (I have chaetomorpha in there also, but it isn't growing nearly as well). Everything in the main tank is doing really well, too (though it's only been set up for just under four months now).
I ended up adding a protein skimmer (CSS65) a couple of weeks ago due to excessive nitrates (20 ppm) despite regular water changes, etc.
Tests this morning revealed nitrates have dropped to 5 ppm.
My own personal experience is that I'm happy with the ecosystem set-up, but I think the addition of a protein skimmer (contrary to their recommendations) has helped my situation out immensely. At least, those are my early observations. Time will tell.
I ended up adding a protein skimmer (CSS65) a couple of weeks ago due to excessive nitrates (20 ppm) despite regular water changes, etc.
Tests this morning revealed nitrates have dropped to 5 ppm.
My own personal experience is that I'm happy with the ecosystem set-up, but I think the addition of a protein skimmer (contrary to their recommendations) has helped my situation out immensely. At least, those are my early observations. Time will tell.
Well, considering the Ecosystem setup was about $800 plus shipping, I spent about $400 including the jig saw used to cut the acrylic and the caulking gun used for the sealant.
I started with a 50 gallon AGA tank, a sheet of acrylic and some aquarium silicon sealant. All the baffles were cut and caulked into place and allowed to sit for a few days. I had to rearrange things a few times to get the fuge parameters set (ie: larger evaporation reservoir). Added the mud and the nano rock, and let 'er rip. A week later I added Culerpa, it died, I added more, more died, I let it go for a while. Some seems to be making a comeback, but it's not anything near full force.
I agree that my results speak for themselves. The tank is only 4 months old, so there is still a lot of learning to do. I have lots of inverts: snails, shrimp, a clam, etc...
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