Need opinions on skimmer vs. macro vs. rock

[BrandonD32]

Hey all,

 

I am looking for opinions on how best to utilize my sump. I have a 20 long with an Eshopps RS-75 sump. My tank is about 50/50 LPS and SPS as of right now. I would like to move toward having the tank as SPS dominant. My sump has very limited space so I'm trying to decide on which route to pursue. The options that I am wondering about are as follows:

 

1) The middle chamber packed full of live rock rubble.

2) The middle chamber hosting a large skimmer with whatever rubble I can still fit.

3) The middle chamber hosting a small skimmer with a mix of rubble and macro algae. 

 

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance!

[Tamberav]

No rubble...why the rubble? Just a place to trap garbage.

 

Keep it clean and keep it simple. 

 

Do either a skimmer or macroalgae. Both ways can be successful. Macro will have the added benefit of microfauna and will take out Po4 and No3. A skimmer will take out debris before it turns into Po4 or No3.

 

I would do a large skimmer or a large fuge but not sacrifice one for the other.

 

And no rubble. You won't need it with rock in the DT.

 

If you find you absolutely need both you can add a cheato reactor.

 

You can also starve SPS if your nutrients get too low. More is not always better.