RO for FOWLR Set up

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Thanks for the info. I appreciate all of the help in this matter. I will be starting my tank out with the RO/DI water as suggested. This only seems to help positive outcomes. As stated I do understand how a skimmer works and the pros and cons as listed. I tend to feel that it can have negative affects as well as positive based on the research I have done. I think I will try for a more well maintained tank and not skim to start out. I am very strict on my water changes for my fresh water so doing the same for a reef tank will be no different. This will be my first SW and I am sure I wont get it perfect the first time around and is why I am going to stock very low in the larger tank as the larger tank is much more forgiving.

Any recomendations on better quality RO/DI systems. I have seen a lot in the range of about 150 for a 3-5 stage system at around 34 GPH, and some in the 200-300 range for the six stage larger GPH rating. Not sure I need the larger GPH as it will only have to fill the 100 gallon tank once and then simply top it off after that and then 10% water changes.
 
When I talk about negative effects from a skimmer that I have heard, the main being that they take more away from the water than just the bad. Removing trace elements and such that are essential to reefs and some marine inhabitants. I have seen lots of successful tanks running that do not use a skimmer, which leads me to belove they are not needed as long as you properly maintain your tank. Is this incorrect in your opinion?
 
Although that it is true that Protein Skimmers do infact remove elements as well as the unwanted matter, the metals can be replaced through water changes as well as adding them directly to the tank.

It is also true that many aquariums can be kept successfully without using Protein Skimmers, however the word SUCCESSFUL is all relative to what you are truly trying to achieve. I have seen aquariums myself without protein skimmers but the definition of sucess again is vague. In most cases,

Calfo, Delbeek, Nilsin, Sprung, Shimek, & Borneman who incidently are the fathers of this hobby, all agree that skimmers provide more benefit than they do negatively. I would consider using one and do it right.

"Indeed, one can establish and maintain reef aquariums without protein skimming. This is easy to demonstrate by including sufficient substratum (sand or gravel) for biological filtration to effect the rapid mineralization of compounds that would otherwise be removed by the protein skimmer. Adding a large sand bed to an existing system filtered with a protein skimmer will reduce the output of the protein skimmer.

The cultivation of algae in turf or refugia also provides an export mechanism that be a partial subsitute for protein skimming, and a compliment to the activity of bacteria living on substrates. ..........Protein Skimmers will nevertheless always be useful filtration device for enhancing gas exchange, and removing certain types of disolved organic compounds, bacteria and especially phosphate."


The Reef Aquarium Vol. 3 Delbeek/Sprung
 
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