[MISTERFIXIT]

any input on wet/dry trickle----sump--deep sand bed--refugium???
I have several Ideas--what works best?
Mr Fix It

[organicreefer]

imo-there is no "best" system or methodology-many different systems work for different people.

personally-i wouldnt use a wet dry/trickle filter-its not needed in a tank with a live substrate(rocks and or sand),and may even cause nitrate problems.

ive also gone away from dsbs-- i ran them for five+ years and found that i didnt like what was happening after about four..seems to me that something was building up in it and leaching back into the water(noticed more algea problems and slower growth in my sps despite alot of life in the bed and good husbandry).i just removed the last of my sand last weekend and im glad i finally got it done-i think classic berlin with the addition of a couple of "newer" gadgets is the way im going.newer gadgets being a ca and nilsen reactors,fluidized bed filter with phosphate remover -and possibly a denitrator(note none of these are particularly "new" but are add ons to the "classic berlin" system of bare bottom, liverock and strong circulation/ lighting)

if you notice im going the route that it seems many european reefkeepers are going these days-from what ive seen their systems seem to last the longest =so i think they are on to something.

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by MISTERFIXIT

any input on wet/dry trickle----sump--deep sand bed--refugium???
I have several Ideas--what works best?
Mr Fix It

Good day and Welcome to Reefland!

As organicreefer mentioned, there are a couple of different tried and successfuly methods to use for reef tanks; "Berlin Systems", DSB's, macro algae filtration, turf scrubbers and on and on.

What is the most important thing to remember is what you are trying to accomplish; the successful removal of nitrate and other DOC's. I personally use a fine grade DSB however if you have been reading on the internet, you are probably aware that people are now stating problems with them after ~5 years. Macro algae's are a great way to export nutrients from the system but sometimes "crash" and cause additional problems.

To comment directly on some of the items you mentioned:

Wet/Dry Trickle:
Typically these incorporate some type of filtration media that are suspected problems. Bio-balls and other filtration media if not thoroughly cleaned can accumulate waste and therefore lead to a nitrate spike. Obviously removing them for frequent cleanings kills off the bacteria growing on them which therefore makes the whole idea of bio-media bad. You can remedy the situation by removing them but now you have a trickle "sump" that is probably less functionaly than just a glass box.

Sump:
Should be incorporated in any reef system; I am referring to some type of external container that has ample space for your equipment and return pump. People use many different types of sumps; from Rubbermaid containers to basic glass aquariums to complex acrylic systems that have built in protein skimmers and, calcium reactors and other neat things.

Refugium:
Another great idea for the reef system. Keep in mind, a refugium's main purpose is to be a safe place for "critters" to live and reproduce. Most people go a step further and make their refugium an extra filtration system by placing macro algae for filtration and additional LR which is fine, but remember it's main purpose.

DSB's and other's:
There's a whole host of ideas available; just got to research them and determine what's best for you.

Regards,
Scott Z.

[MISTERFIXIT]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll figure it out.
Back to the computer for more research!