sump

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

Bob, just to point out, nitrogen is not the only organic by-product in the system. I'm not even sure a skimmer would/could remove nitrogen. A DSB and/or rock is best at removing that. The skimmer is used to remove other compounds....I can dig up some names for these if you like.SOme of these can/will build up over time if you don't have a skimmer or do water changes
You are correct in saying a skimmer may not be required and if that works for you, you sacved some money!!
However; when I tell new reefers to not listen to you and invest in a skimmer, I do this because I believe it to increase their chances of being successful, not because you're way won't work. You show that it does work for you. You have also been doing this along time. After the new reefer has done this as long, I also would encourage experimenting with different techniques.
I'm not trying to be a know it all, or say you are wrong. I'm just giving advice that I think will increase the likelihood of success for the new guy!

Point well taken. I don't disagree at all. If a person wants to use the skimmer approach they are most welcome. I only ever offer what works in my somewhat limited setup. The reader is more than welcome to use whatever method he feels wiill work for him. I may not have mentioned that on one tank I use a refugium with Caulerpa for nutrient export, but as to its efficacy, I don't know. I also use Dick Boyd's Chemipure on two tanks. How well it works I don't know, but I like it.

That is my point. A reader is presented with different viewpoints that work for the person giving the advice. It is just that one person's viewpoint should not be denegrated (my word for the day), because it differs from another's. BTW I love your tank, but I can't afford, or won't afford the expense to have one the same, so I keep to softies and zoos, and such, and am perfectly happy. OK , and, yes one can keep a LTA in a 10 gallon tank under 52W of PC lighting.