Great Question: Is It OK To Combine Multiple Filtration Methods On One Aquarium?
Here's another great question I got today about combining multiple filtration methods on one aquarium (a reef system).
Here's the question and my answer: QUESTION: "Warren did I understand you to say that you like to use multiple filtration methods on one aquarium? Like a Jaubert plenum with a deep sand bed in the display tank with a mud filter refugium in the sump with return water flowing through a UV.
This is exactly what I would like to do on my new 135 gal reef tank.
What are your thoughts on this combo?" ANSWER: So, to answer your question about if I like using multiple filtration methods on one aquarium, my answer is no - and I'll explain.
Do I think it's a good idea to use a Jaubert plenum in your exhibit tank with a mud filter refugium in the sump, along with a UV? Yes that could work well.
Overall, my philosophy is that while there are many different methods or filtration formats for a successful reef tank, you generally want to pick one and stick with it.
In other words, you don't want to install an algae scrubber, with a protein skimmer along with a living sponge filtration system and a UV sterilizer and a trickle filter and live rock (I think you get the idea).
The different components that are used for one method may counteract other component from a different method.
And what you end up with is a mess that doesn't work, and has chronic water quality problems.
For example, a UV sterilizer would kill off any water borne bacteria and phytoplankton and would thus partly starve a living sponge filter.
Or using an aggressive protein skimmer with a living sponge filter system would not work, as the protein skimmer would starve the live sponge of its food source.
Or another example would be the use of bioballs/trickle filter in combination with an algae scrubber.
The bioballs/trickle filter would add to the chronic nitrate levels that the algae scrubber or refugium is designed to reduce.
So, yes it's OK to combine a Jaubert plenum in the exhibit tank with a refugium/mud filter in the sump, along with a UV sterilizer.
Just don't go overboard trying to install every known form of filtration into your system.
I've seen a public aquariums do this with their 1,000 gallon reef tank (this was years ago) and the exhibit was a nightmare to operate - plus it didn't look anywhere near as good as it should have at the time.
Also, with your Jaubert plenum, you may likely find that depending on how large your calcium/magnesium demand is, that you may need to supplement for calcium and magnesium (alkalinity too).
I only have a little experience with Jaubert plenum systems, but did research them aggressively years ago when they began to become popular.
What are you hearing/learning about their effectiveness? Leave a comment here and let me know what filtration method you are using and what your experience has been.
Here's the question and my answer: QUESTION: "Warren did I understand you to say that you like to use multiple filtration methods on one aquarium? Like a Jaubert plenum with a deep sand bed in the display tank with a mud filter refugium in the sump with return water flowing through a UV.
This is exactly what I would like to do on my new 135 gal reef tank.
What are your thoughts on this combo?" ANSWER: So, to answer your question about if I like using multiple filtration methods on one aquarium, my answer is no - and I'll explain.
Do I think it's a good idea to use a Jaubert plenum in your exhibit tank with a mud filter refugium in the sump, along with a UV? Yes that could work well.
Overall, my philosophy is that while there are many different methods or filtration formats for a successful reef tank, you generally want to pick one and stick with it.
In other words, you don't want to install an algae scrubber, with a protein skimmer along with a living sponge filtration system and a UV sterilizer and a trickle filter and live rock (I think you get the idea).
The different components that are used for one method may counteract other component from a different method.
And what you end up with is a mess that doesn't work, and has chronic water quality problems.
For example, a UV sterilizer would kill off any water borne bacteria and phytoplankton and would thus partly starve a living sponge filter.
Or using an aggressive protein skimmer with a living sponge filter system would not work, as the protein skimmer would starve the live sponge of its food source.
Or another example would be the use of bioballs/trickle filter in combination with an algae scrubber.
The bioballs/trickle filter would add to the chronic nitrate levels that the algae scrubber or refugium is designed to reduce.
So, yes it's OK to combine a Jaubert plenum in the exhibit tank with a refugium/mud filter in the sump, along with a UV sterilizer.
Just don't go overboard trying to install every known form of filtration into your system.
I've seen a public aquariums do this with their 1,000 gallon reef tank (this was years ago) and the exhibit was a nightmare to operate - plus it didn't look anywhere near as good as it should have at the time.
Also, with your Jaubert plenum, you may likely find that depending on how large your calcium/magnesium demand is, that you may need to supplement for calcium and magnesium (alkalinity too).
I only have a little experience with Jaubert plenum systems, but did research them aggressively years ago when they began to become popular.
What are you hearing/learning about their effectiveness? Leave a comment here and let me know what filtration method you are using and what your experience has been.
