natural vs mechanical

[jjmcat]

I am currently keeping a rubble rock box in the dark end of my 4 ft long sump.I keep it dark so I can grow sponges for extra filtration.The problem I am having is I am needing more space to properly run my skimmer.Do the sponges really do that much in the filtration area?What would you all do?

 

[billsreef]

I'd got with the skimmer. While the sponges do take some particulate matter out, they also contribute nitrogenous waste from their metabolism

 

[jjmcat]

Thank you BIll.

 

[Flavum]

Skimmer for so

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Photosynthetic sponges might be a net positive for filtration. Non-symbiotic sponges are going to end up being a net negative, just like fish, crabs, shrimp, etc.

 

[jjmcat]

Well I pulled out the box of rubble and living sponges so I hope I made the right choice.I never knew just how much rubble rock I had in there.I moved it all to the fuge section.

 

[rivoth]

If you stock your tank heavily then you'll need the mechanical to keep up. If you stock your tank lightly then I love the additional biodiversity of natural filtering systems.

 

[liveforphysics]

If the waste that leaves the sponges is in a state readily available for macroalgae to consume, than they make an effective tool in getting more complex waste broken down to a lower energy state.

I personally stopped skimming years ago. Natural does everything I ask of my tanks.

There are many ways to skin the cat. I choose natural because I need my reefs to be left alone for a few weeks a month while I'm traveling.

 

[bergzy]

i set up a cryptic zone via a blue barrel filled with live rock that is fed from my from my chaeto fuge grower thinger via a fluidized flow (reverse/up to down pattern). i am very pleased with the way my tank is...FINALLY!!!

the cryptic zone is to encourage sponge and tunicate growth for a more 'natural' filtration process as liveforphysics describes, though mine is in a reverse pattern from his-->macro to sponges rather than sponges to macro.

physics is definitely more gutsy than me as i wouldnt run my sps system skimmerless. i have run it part-time skimmerless for a couple of years...but i just cant let go of the skimmer train of thought.

yes, definitely more way than one way to peel a potato!

 

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12378858#post12378858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by liveforphysics
If the waste that leaves the sponges is in a state readily available for macroalgae to consume, than they make an effective tool in getting more complex waste broken down to a lower energy state.

I personally stopped skimming years ago. Natural does everything I ask of my tanks.

There are many ways to skin the cat. I choose natural because I need my reefs to be left alone for a few weeks a month while I'm traveling.

Can you post some picks of your reef tank and your setup? I am very much interested in the natural approach