Turf Scrubber or Protein Skimmer. Which is more beneficial to the aquarium.
- Thread starter kiefers
- Start date
kiefers
Active Member
I will take a stab at being one of the frst. skimming, if done correctly will remove access nutients from the system...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418320
I will take a stab at being one of the frst. skimming, if done correctly will remove access nutients from the system...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
I say false. Skimmers don't remove nutrients, they remove proteins before they break down into nutrients. They help to oxygenate the water and keep it clear.
Scrubbers, keep the proteins in the tank for corals and livestock to continue to feed from without worry of excess nutrients because they will be absorbed by the scrubber once the proteins break down. Scrubbers also oxygenate the water and help clarify it. They can also be a visual indication of what is going on with the system by the growth you see. They also produce dissolved organic carbon which help to feed nitrifying bacteria.
So I say scrubbers.
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418320
I will take a stab at being one of the frst. skimming, if done correctly will remove access nutients from the system...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
I say false. Skimmers don't remove nutrients, they remove proteins before they break down into nutrients. They help to oxygenate the water and keep it clear.
Scrubbers, keep the proteins in the tank for corals and livestock to continue to feed from without worry of excess nutrients because they will be absorbed by the scrubber once the proteins break down. Scrubbers also oxygenate the water and help clarify it. They can also be a visual indication of what is going on with the system by the growth you see. They also produce dissolved organic carbon which help to feed nitrifying bacteria.
So I say scrubbers.
tur4k
Member
I would say that a good skimmer does a better job of nitrate removal (or prevention), but removes very little phosphates, doesn't encourage pod population growth and generally smells worse when cleaning. The skimmer is a very effective uni-tasker and the turf scrubber (or macro's) has a broader range of benefits.
Personally I would go with the skimmer if I had to choose only one and my tank was heavily stocked with fish. I would go with the turf scrubber (or macro's) if the tank was lightly stocked or mostly inverts.
Personally I would go with the skimmer if I had to choose only one and my tank was heavily stocked with fish. I would go with the turf scrubber (or macro's) if the tank was lightly stocked or mostly inverts.
kiefers
Active Member
It is arguably the best means of removing organic substances from the aquarium water. An efficient, well-maintained skimmer can reduce the amount of organics present in the water before they break down and begin to accumulate.
scrubbing can discolor the water, (wow, that was one poor arguement)
scrubbing can discolor the water, (wow, that was one poor arguement)
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Looks like I'm late in the debate!
I say they both have their place! One is for one type of aquarium, while the other is for a different type of aquarium. A fish only aquarium can only benefit from protein skimming for nutrient control. Heavily stocked reef tanks will also benefit by the use of a protein skimmer. However, a mid to lightly stocked with fish reef tank iis a perfect candidate for only using an algae scrubber. Algae scrubbers can be used on heavily stocked fish only tanks or heavily stocked reef tanks successfully, but take up a lot of space because they have to be doubled or tripled.
Algae scrubbers add dissolved oxygen to the system. They stabilize pH at night, they maintain constant alkalinity. It's a great way to cool your water with a fan. They increase magnesium in the water column (I'll try to post this research) They remove nitrate and phosphate while leaving in coral foods such as bacteria, sponges, detritus, forams, pods, other detrivores, free floating cyano, phytoplankton and all manner of zooplankton. (some listed). Algae scrubbers can also remove heavy metals such as copper and iron. By using an algae scrubber, you remove the dissolved organic nutrients such as inorganic and organic nitrate and phosphate while leaving in particulate organic matter (POM) that corals eat and protein skimmers remove.
I say they both have their place! One is for one type of aquarium, while the other is for a different type of aquarium. A fish only aquarium can only benefit from protein skimming for nutrient control. Heavily stocked reef tanks will also benefit by the use of a protein skimmer. However, a mid to lightly stocked with fish reef tank iis a perfect candidate for only using an algae scrubber. Algae scrubbers can be used on heavily stocked fish only tanks or heavily stocked reef tanks successfully, but take up a lot of space because they have to be doubled or tripled.
Algae scrubbers add dissolved oxygen to the system. They stabilize pH at night, they maintain constant alkalinity. It's a great way to cool your water with a fan. They increase magnesium in the water column (I'll try to post this research) They remove nitrate and phosphate while leaving in coral foods such as bacteria, sponges, detritus, forams, pods, other detrivores, free floating cyano, phytoplankton and all manner of zooplankton. (some listed). Algae scrubbers can also remove heavy metals such as copper and iron. By using an algae scrubber, you remove the dissolved organic nutrients such as inorganic and organic nitrate and phosphate while leaving in particulate organic matter (POM) that corals eat and protein skimmers remove.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Scrubbers are found no longer to discolor the water. You take the screen off and wash it in the sink, therefore none of the chlorophyll is released into the tank, discoloring it. You do not wash your scrubber in your sump. That will cause discoloration over a long period of time.
Protein skimmers have not been proven to add any dissolved oxygen to the water column. DO measurements at the input and output of protein skimmers are almost exactly the same. (article pending)
Protein skimmers have not been proven to add any dissolved oxygen to the water column. DO measurements at the input and output of protein skimmers are almost exactly the same. (article pending)
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418328
It is arguably the best means of removing organic substances from the aquarium water. An efficient, well-maintained skimmer can reduce the amount of organics present in the water before they break down and begin to accumulate.
scrubbing can discolor the water, (wow, that was one poor arguement)
Some would argue that skimming organics out of the water in reef tanks works against you to a certain degree. Especially those who feed there corals with liquid coral food, particulates..etc. Because that is the very same thing you are removing with a skimmer. And that corals thrive better with those foods kept in the tank for longer periods. With a scrubber it doesn't matter, let them break down, it's not an issue.
Scrubbing only discolors the water if you're doing something wrong. Like not maintaining it properly is basically the main reason of why that can happen.
Also, scrubbers can filter out by consuming heavy metals in the water such as copper. You can also dry out the algea that they grow and feed it to your algae eaters....mmm mmm good stuff.
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418328
It is arguably the best means of removing organic substances from the aquarium water. An efficient, well-maintained skimmer can reduce the amount of organics present in the water before they break down and begin to accumulate.
scrubbing can discolor the water, (wow, that was one poor arguement)
Some would argue that skimming organics out of the water in reef tanks works against you to a certain degree. Especially those who feed there corals with liquid coral food, particulates..etc. Because that is the very same thing you are removing with a skimmer. And that corals thrive better with those foods kept in the tank for longer periods. With a scrubber it doesn't matter, let them break down, it's not an issue.
Scrubbing only discolors the water if you're doing something wrong. Like not maintaining it properly is basically the main reason of why that can happen.
Also, scrubbers can filter out by consuming heavy metals in the water such as copper. You can also dry out the algea that they grow and feed it to your algae eaters....mmm mmm good stuff.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Algae scrubbers will out compete any macroalgae for nutrients in a tank. Algae scrubbers produce millions upon millions of seven day old copepods, effectively creating a mini-ecosystem for pod production. Infact, so many pods are grown on a screen that they become a problem... they eat the algae layers underneath!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah, good point 2quills, ... if you run a scrubber, you can use the dried out hair algae to feed your herbivorous fish! ... free source of food... never have to buy nori again. Besides, hair algae is a more complete nutrient source for herbivorous fish to eat than nori is.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Eh, it might be cheesy, but I'm going to go ahead and post a link to my 20g nano build thread, for anyone who is interested in following along and commenting (please, please please!!???!??!)
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/387674/snake-s-20g-nano-build-thread
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418338
True to some extent, but for those with the "space" issue, skimming is more practical and space friendly (Corey, I'm hungry now!! any ideas?)
Fajita's?
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418338
True to some extent, but for those with the "space" issue, skimming is more practical and space friendly (Corey, I'm hungry now!! any ideas?)
Fajita's?
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418338
True to some extent, but for those with the "space" issue, skimming is more practical and space friendly (Corey, I'm hungry now!! any ideas?)
On a side note, several people I spoke to turn off their skimmers over night when feeding there corals.
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418338
True to some extent, but for those with the "space" issue, skimming is more practical and space friendly (Corey, I'm hungry now!! any ideas?)
On a side note, several people I spoke to turn off their skimmers over night when feeding there corals.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Not really a space issue at all, if you look at my tank, I have a 6x8" algae screen in my 10g sump. It works 10x better than a skimmer and takes up less space - except for the lights on top. It actually creates more WET space in your sump to put live rock.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Kiefers - when you feed your tank coral food, do you really want the extra work turning off a skimmer, and then remembering to turn it back on? Maybe the skimmer, once turned back on, needs to be re-dialed in? How about them apples?!
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418340
Fajita's?
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418345
Kiefers - when you feed your tank coral food, do you really want the extra work turning off a skimmer, and then remembering to turn it back on? Maybe the skimmer, once turned back on, needs to be re-dialed in? How about them apples?!
Timers are amazing for dementia. The pods statement is a plus I admit
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418345
Kiefers - when you feed your tank coral food, do you really want the extra work turning off a skimmer, and then remembering to turn it back on? Maybe the skimmer, once turned back on, needs to be re-dialed in? How about them apples?!
Timers are amazing for dementia. The pods statement is a plus I admit
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418344
Not really a space issue at all, if you look at my tank, I have a 6x8" algae screen in my 10g sump. It works 10x better than a skimmer and takes up less space - except for the lights on top. It actually creates more WET space in your sump to put live rock.
For some reason unknown to me but having my skimmer on top of the Atlantis is just so unappealing, I have mine underneath. Don't wanna see the tank toilet.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387985/turf-scrubber-or-protein-skimmer-which-is-more-beneficial-to-the-aquarium#post_3418344
Not really a space issue at all, if you look at my tank, I have a 6x8" algae screen in my 10g sump. It works 10x better than a skimmer and takes up less space - except for the lights on top. It actually creates more WET space in your sump to put live rock.
For some reason unknown to me but having my skimmer on top of the Atlantis is just so unappealing, I have mine underneath. Don't wanna see the tank toilet.