Filter or Refugium or both?

Just what the title says.....For my 55gal(slowly going reef)

Explain your choice, please. That, I think, will not only help me, but a lot of others, either new to reefing or in the same situation as I am.

I found that when I feed the few coral I do have, my fish suffer. I really would like to feed them(fish) everyday (small amount of flakes alternated with OraGlo), cause in nature fish are always eating something) When I feed my corals it pollutes my tank. I do not feed as per instructions(less), since I only have 6 zoa's, 4(splitting) ricordia, a finger leather and a flower anemone. It really reeks havoc on my tank. I've got plenty of snails and I use a Via Aqua Poly reactor with Cuprisorb and PhosBan in it. Currently, I have the ole Emperor 400 Bio Wheel Filter, which doesn't cut it. I need more filtration. I have to rinse the filters every few days and I use double filters on each side. What's your advice?

Sorry for this being long, but I wanted you all to understand my thinking....(twisted as it may be )

p.s. Yes, I understand also that feeding the fish once a day adds to the problem.....that's why I'm asking And..... Dilution is the Solution to the Pollution....... I chant that now lol

 

I voted refugium but in reality, I would not run a tank without both a sump and a refugium. I have never been a fan of canister filters in that they trap and hold far too much crap and unless you clean them constantly, you're never going to get good filtration. With a sump and refugium combo, you have more water volume, you can run filter pads in the sump to trap leftover food and detritus and the grasses in the refugium will "eat" the nitrates and phosphates out of your water.

 

First would make sure I was maxed out on LR. Then a good skimmer working effeciently. Lastly a hang on refugium, (if you don't have a sump)

..... Dilution is the Solution to the Pollution....... --

My mantra also -

Regular water changes eliminate need for fuge IMHO.

 

Filter will help stop things from decomposing (mechanical) and will help absorb some organics. Then the refuge should take the rest..

 

a refugium is a filter, so both. than again i also have a wet/dry, live rock, live sand, skimmer, and an empty wallet.

 

uh huh I know that feeling LOL