wet/dry vs. refugiumin

I'm upgrading and I don't know it I should use a wet/dry or a refugiumin. I have 2 fluval canister (when I first started I didn't know anything). Now I want better filtration. I also want to keep my chiller (it also heats the water) connected to my new filter system. I was also thinking of taking my skimmer and connecting it the same way. How should I set up -my new filtration? Which system is better, and what are the pro and cons?

 

Looking at your sig, I'd go with the refugium. Pro's are a fuge for pods, a way to keep pH up with reverse light cycle, and a way to remove phosphates and junk by harvesting algae. Cons are space taken, another light that could spill out when you don't want it too and another potential flood to think about.
Something else I wrote:
http://www.3reef.com/modules.php?name=Content&file=viewarticle&id=10


Wet/drys are more suited for fish tanks, but some pros are ease of use, oxygen inducer, and ammonia killer. Cons are no nitrate reduction... space taken.

 

Thanks for the info. I don't know have my tank is still holding up with only 2 fluval. I didn't know anything when I first started. Right now everything is at 0, and don't want to cycle again. Should I connect 1 fluval to the refugium to get it started, then connect it to the main tank?

 

I'd just start up the refugium and place the fluval media in a filter sock and toss it in there for a few weeks... month or so. Easier. It should be fine.

 

Wet/dry are awesome for FOWLR so long as the fish are nitrate tolerant... Wet/dry filter media is a proven nitrate factory and will have a negative impact on reefs. IMO, pro vs con... go to a fuge, but remove the fluval slowly as bacterial levels will wack out if changed too rapidly.

Jason

 

Refugium is the way to go. Add your canister filter media to the sump like Matt says and buy a load of chaetomorpha algae for the sump along with some live rock rubble.

Hey, I see your from Brooklyn, I grew up in the Canarcie and Flatlands area.

 

I'm from Bensonhurst.

Thanks guys