skimmer vs mangrove plants

wut would be the pros and cons and wut be overall better? thnx

 

Skimmer is definitely worth the investment IMO - I have mangroves growing in my refuge as well and while they are definitely pulling nutrients from the water due to their rapid growth, not sure how they would compare to the skimmer.

If there is one thing with any tank NOT to skimp on, I would say its the skimmer

 

I at onetime had over a 1100 gals of connected tanks in to a common sump and I ran a mangrove filter system I had a 12'x2'x18" ft trough that had over 500 GPH blasting through it to feed the trees . But My old ETSS skimmer still found plenty to skim out not to mention the added oxygenation that was added to the water and causing a more stable Ph over the 24 hr period. Nothing will replace a good skimmer.. I'd take the money you will waste on mangrove set up and get the best skimmer you can Simple sticking a mangrove in a over will do little if anything ..