[SupaJSK]

I've got my hang on CPR refugium and Miracle Mud. Im about to go skimmerless. Will it be ok, to just switch these out? Will this be allright? I dont have enough room to run both at the same time. What do you suggest? My bioload is light. Ive got a 20 gallon, 4 hard corals, a 1.5 inch clown, a cleaner shrimp, and a firefish goby. Thanks.

[gemtang]

I think it'll be okay, as long as you have a good amount of caulerpa to help w/ nitrates.

[srgtkoons]

Reduce your feedings for the first couple of weeks to let the refuge kick in. Then slowly build the amount of food to really get that refuge kickin.

[bongobrian]

Does your skimmer have something in it for growing good bacteria like a bio-bale or anything like that? If so, you may want to leave the skimmer on the tank for a little while along with the refuge. This way your refuge will have time to start growing it's own bacteria and you shouldn't see any problems. I think if you put on a bran new refuge, and take off your skimmer right away, you may start seeing some outbreaks of diatoms and cyano bacteria. On the other hand, your substrate and liverock may already have enough bacteria in it to prevent these breakouts as your new refuge starts functioning to full capacity. Good luck!

[srgtkoons]

I would not run the skimmer and refuge at the same time. Take the skimmer off. BUt reduce your feedings for several weeks and slowly build it back up. That will allow the fastes time for the refugium to get started and prevent excess nutrients and algae. If possible run the skimmer after the refuge, otherwise the skimmer will remove the food that will help stabilize the refuge.

[SupaJSK]

I don't have any bio-balls or anything like that in my skimmer. My tank has been up for about a year now, so I'm assuming the rock should be able to take the load. My piece of crap CPR skimmer didnt skim much anyways. Thanks for the tips guys. I'll post in a few weeks and let you all know how my new skimmerless tank is working out for me.

[bongobrian]

I'm with you SupaJSK, I'm part of the CPR haters club! I broke my bakpak 2 the other day and I'm actually kinda happy about it lol.

[mrok12]

I have a 65 gallon that was set up skimmerless. I have not had any detctable nitrate since the 4th day it was up. I set this tank up with an ecosystem sump, like 20-30# of miracle mud in the 29 gallon sump. A 5-6 inch sand be and 70 pounds of premium pohmpanei and vanatua rock with come tonga branch for good measure. The rock and sand bed should do the trick esp becuase you have a small bio load


MROK12

[SPasse]

SupaJSK,

I have had a number of systems that were “skimmerless”

My Website discusses last system in detail.

http://www.homestead.com/spasse/Old180Gallon.html

Scott Passe