Hello friends,
I'm in the process of setting up an SPS dominant tank. It is a 350 liter system. I have a tremendous amount of flow using several MP40s and I have MP10s on the bare bottom to keep waste suspended so it can be removed by the filtration system. The system is unlikely to see corals for several more months, but I am stuck on my last bit of filtration.
I currently have a skimmer that is rated for 1200 liters. I would argue that's a bit large for this system until my bioload gets heavier. I did do some research and was interested in having a refugium too. The issue is my sump can only accommodate one.
If I were to go the refugium route, I would purchase a Kessil H380 with Chaeto. The high PAR output on this light should be more than enough to compete with the lights from my display and keep algae in the display at a bare minimum. I enjoy the benefits of a refugium since it provides for pods and can help prevent pH swings at night. The sump space could provide a refugium that is 50 liters (about 15% of the system volume).
If I were to go the skimmer route I would just keep my current skimmer and maybe have a reactor for GFO on standby if algae becomes an issue. I'd probably pick up a ppb Hanna checker and use this as a means for determining when phosphate is too high.
What would you all recommend? Clearly the refugium is the more expensive option, but it may be worth it and it would certainly be a fun experiment to see how SPS get along without a skimmer. But a simple setup with a skimmer and consistent maintenance schedule is a proven path to success and would be much cheaper since I already have everything I need.
Please share your thoughts with me.
Cheers!
Chris
I'm in the process of setting up an SPS dominant tank. It is a 350 liter system. I have a tremendous amount of flow using several MP40s and I have MP10s on the bare bottom to keep waste suspended so it can be removed by the filtration system. The system is unlikely to see corals for several more months, but I am stuck on my last bit of filtration.
I currently have a skimmer that is rated for 1200 liters. I would argue that's a bit large for this system until my bioload gets heavier. I did do some research and was interested in having a refugium too. The issue is my sump can only accommodate one.
If I were to go the refugium route, I would purchase a Kessil H380 with Chaeto. The high PAR output on this light should be more than enough to compete with the lights from my display and keep algae in the display at a bare minimum. I enjoy the benefits of a refugium since it provides for pods and can help prevent pH swings at night. The sump space could provide a refugium that is 50 liters (about 15% of the system volume).
If I were to go the skimmer route I would just keep my current skimmer and maybe have a reactor for GFO on standby if algae becomes an issue. I'd probably pick up a ppb Hanna checker and use this as a means for determining when phosphate is too high.
What would you all recommend? Clearly the refugium is the more expensive option, but it may be worth it and it would certainly be a fun experiment to see how SPS get along without a skimmer. But a simple setup with a skimmer and consistent maintenance schedule is a proven path to success and would be much cheaper since I already have everything I need.
Please share your thoughts with me.
Cheers!
Chris
