healerhand
Member
I have a big question. Why dont we use protein skimmer with ecosystem? Can someone tell me the mechanism for it?
Why we dont use skimmer with ecosystem
- Thread starter healerhand
- Start date
tanker newbie
Member
the only thing i can think of is that the macroalgae feeds off of light and nitrates, so if your useing a skimmer and getting rid of the nitrates the macroalgae wont have anything to feed on
tangs_in_pacifica
Member
I think there are two reasons for not using a skimmer in a refugium-filtered system:
1. The skimmer may be counter-productive for the macroalgae, as Tanker pointed out.
2. Some believe that skimmers tend to remove a lot of desirable stuffs from your tank (i.e. trace elements, calcium, good proteins, etc.), along with the bad stuff. Thus, there's less of a need to add supplements and your corals will have more to eat, without a skimmer. Many skimmerless-heads still add Iron for the macro and a bit of calcium, etc., but report dramatic reductions in the amount that they have to dose without skimmers. As EcoSystem claims that their Mud containd all of the additives your tank will even need, I believe they suggest only adding a bit of calcium. I've got one EcoSystem setup, but don't know how much faith I have in a product named "miracle" anything.
IMOHO, the jury is still out on skimmerless refugium systems. I'm enjoying great success on two skimmerless sytsems so far, but it's still too early for me to recommend that anyone else give it a shot. Now, if I could only get that N03 to drop on my refugium-less system.
[ June 14, 2001: Message edited by: tangs_in_pacifica ]
1. The skimmer may be counter-productive for the macroalgae, as Tanker pointed out.
2. Some believe that skimmers tend to remove a lot of desirable stuffs from your tank (i.e. trace elements, calcium, good proteins, etc.), along with the bad stuff. Thus, there's less of a need to add supplements and your corals will have more to eat, without a skimmer. Many skimmerless-heads still add Iron for the macro and a bit of calcium, etc., but report dramatic reductions in the amount that they have to dose without skimmers. As EcoSystem claims that their Mud containd all of the additives your tank will even need, I believe they suggest only adding a bit of calcium. I've got one EcoSystem setup, but don't know how much faith I have in a product named "miracle" anything.
IMOHO, the jury is still out on skimmerless refugium systems. I'm enjoying great success on two skimmerless sytsems so far, but it's still too early for me to recommend that anyone else give it a shot. Now, if I could only get that N03 to drop on my refugium-less system.
[ June 14, 2001: Message edited by: tangs_in_pacifica ]
tangs_in_pacifica
Member
Trey, what about the value of the Mud???
ironreef
Member
The caulerpa is the filter. Ecosystems don't mean a thing. Its the hobbist who applies= husbantry of the tank. I've seen 2 large ecosystems ridden with hair alga after a year. Seen one crash. I've seen nice ones also. I have a huge skimmer and an alga refugium. I have tube worms that spawn and grow everywhere. 3 types of snails that breed in my tank. mass pods. A fat manderine plus other fish. I never dose trace directly, well even before my reactor. Only calcium and buffer. Trace comes from foods and w/c.But not to ramble I'm just stating skimmers don't kill everything cuz most home systems are to small to really have good plankton life. An ecosystem isn't going to make much ,more difference than any other healthy alga tank. IME. Its just another form of export. But you still may need to add carbon to keep it form yellowing from organics. Some do. So running a skimmer now and then wouldn't hurt it at all. Carbon can get $$
ironreef
Member
diy geo. a reactor is simply a place to hold media. the co2 break down the sand/cc = calcium /trace ectt. I have good luck with mine. if you don't kno geo or any diy place let me know. $300 for the whole steup co2 reactor ectt. recator was@$120. You buy them for $350+ anywhre else. But they aren;t any better.