What filtration for new 250?

F

FerrariStradale

New member
I cannot decide whether to go with a refugium or old style bio balls for my new 250 (60 X 36 X 27).

What would anyone recommend?

It is a FOWLR and live sand plus some mushrooms and polyps just for looks (doesn't count as a reef!)

Fish being moved to tank are:

Picasso Trigger
Clown Trigger
Niger Trigger
Blue Face Angel
Blue Angel
Unicorn Tang
Yellow Tang
Plus adding: Emp. Angel and Vlamingi Tang

Protein Skimmer - E.T.S.S. 800 Downdraft Skimmer
25Watt UV Ster.
1/3 HP Chiller
Nu-Clear Mechanical/Chemical filter

Any suggestions?
 
I'd go with the refugium. Do you have any live rock in the tank? If so, it is redundant with the bio-balls for filtration. Refugia are great for nutrient export of nitrogen and phosphorus.
 
If you don't have much live rock, then bioballs are great to help with biofiltration. A refugium will help export nitrates. If you don't want to deal with lighting, maintenance and pruning macroalgae in your fuge, then consider getting a sulfur denitrator.
I run a Schuran sulfur denitrator in my heavily stocked 200g FO and my nitrates have not been detectable in almost a year.
 
yes, meant to mention a refugium is NOT a substitute for adequate biological filtration. IMO, you will be best off with both - decent bio-filtration (rock or bio-balls) AND refugium for nutrient export.

I don't think refugiums are high maintenance at all - lighting is simple, pruning is not a lot of work (my lfs trades me store credit for excess macroalgae). Pods growing in the fuge add a source of food to the tank.
 
sorry, I don't, just know about ETSS for skimmers. do be sure you have enough room - a sump for your skimmer AND a refugium for macro. you may not want both in the same container, as refugia tend to be lower flow than sumps. I don't have an ideal set-up, so I can't give you knowledgeable advice. there are a few posters in this forum with large, gorgeous, heavily stocked FOWLR systems that include live rock, skimmers and refugiums. maybe some of them would post diagrams or pictures of their systems...
 
I would love to see that but it won't let me view it.
I have room... everything is custom built and we made sure we had enough room (including head room)

This protein skimmer is external. would the flow still be a problem? I don't see how...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13365578#post13365578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FerrariStradale
Wow. Very nice build nice system gave me some good ideas. The shark is incredible. Does it bother any of the fish or corals?
Click to expand...

Doesnt really bother the fish, as long as they dont fit in his mouth :eek:

I HAD 14 Chromies, now I have 0... Yellow tail damsels seem to be the best option as far as schooling damsels in aggressive tanks, and they don't really school LOL

Hope the pics helped
 
How is it feeding him? I always wanted a shark.

When I build a new house I'm planning on building a 2000 or 3000 gallon in the wall and getting a black tip reef shark. Not for a while though.

I'l stick with triggers and angels for now!
 
How is it feeding him? I always wanted a shark.

When I build a new house I'm planning on building a 2000 or 3000 gallon in the wall and getting a black tip reef shark. Not for a while though.

I'l stick with triggers and angels for now!
 
Unfortunately that would still be too small for a black tip but maybe some smooth hounds if you want an active shark
 
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