no protein skimmer w/ berlin method filtration?

Wates is waste. You have to get rid of it. Either mechanically filter it, chemically filter it, or biologically filter it. Using filter floss and skimmers removes solid waste before it breaks down. Skimmers remove some DOC, bacteria consume watse or convert to base componenets, algae consume base components.... water changes solve everything.

We don't need anything besides WCs.... 50% weekly should do.... but not very practical. So we filter/skim, grow macro algae, use sand beds...ect. It isn't about one thing, it's about putting together a system. I am all down for natural processes. Biological should be utilized where ever it can..... but chemical and mechanical keep the load small.... each peice has it's part to play.

Here is some reading.... http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

 

Thanks for the advice horkn. BTW, your plywood tank build was one of the first threads that I read on 3reef....got me hooked!

 

Thanks for the link, I'm going to read that next.

I think you guys have convinced me to go ahead w/ the skimmer. I'm actually not looking to cut corners, which is part of the reason it's gonna take me a while to really get all setup. It just seems as I'm learning more I keep thinking of alternatives to some of the "standard" practices.

I really appreciate all the good feedback! Everyone's experience is helping lead me in the right direction ;D

 

Just sharing my (very limited) experience here. We have a 430 gallon tank at my office and it has NO protein skimmer and it only has water changes (50 gallons) twice a month. Everything in the tank is doing well. That being said, we do have a very low bioload for the tank, and there are upwards of 500lbs of LR and about 500lbs of live sand in a DSB. There is also no refugium for this system. The sump is only 30 gallons. Everyone that is reading this I am sure is saying how "underpowered" this system's components are. They are not necessarily wrong.
That being said - while everything is doing OK - nothing is really THRIVING the way it could.
Can you run w/o a skimmer? Maybe for a while.

Is it worth it to skimp on a couple hundred bucks with presumably an investment over $1000? Probably not.

Just my 0.02

 

The skimmer would probably be cheaper then the live rock.

 

Thanks for sharing. I figured if I went without a skimmer, it would need to be with a very low bioload - which doesn't bother me as I have more interest in corals than fish.

In most cases...yes, it would be cheaper. I think one of the reasons I keep trying to think of alternatives is that I don't have $$ to spend. I know, it's probably the wrong hobby to try to get into without any money, but my interest hasn't diminished at all. I think I'm the epitome of "take it slow, let it grow".....at least the "slow" part! ;D

I'm planning on making my own rock and then seed it with one good piece of live rock. I got a couple 50 lb. bags of crushed oyster shells for $11 each and will be buying a 92 lb. bag of cement for about $9 this weekend. Since I've got more time than money anyway, I don't mind waiting for the cement to cure and the additional time for my diy rock to become live rock.

 

How long has the tank been running this way? From what I see, the mini crashes DSB tanks have are a couple of years down the line.