Skimmer Alternatives

[Fishy]

Hi,
I am still in the research stage of ceph keeping, so I hope this may be my excuse if you find this a stupid question
Are there any temperate cheaper alternatives to a protein skimmer? I have heard of the Berlin method, but because cephs produce more waste this may not be a good idea? I am planning on setting up a temperate marine Eledone Cirrhosa / Sepia officinalis setup in the garage, and the tank will hopefully be 100g at the least.
Thanks,
James

 

[CaptFish]

hobogato is working on one here, but he is planning on usong it for cuttles not octos.

cuttle lagoon

 

[ReeferTom]

I too am at the research stage of ceph ownership, but I thought I would chime in for my two bits. I have been keeping reef tanks for a few years now so I am not a complete noob On the topic of protein skimming...the short answer is yes you need a skimmer. The Berlin method is awesome and it does clean your water, but it is not meant to replace a skimmer. On both my reef tanks I have refugiums that use the Berlin Method as well as a protein skimmer and I still worry about how clean my water is. Now ask me if you can have a successfull tank without a skimmer and the answer is still yes....However I would imagine that would take waterchanges almost daily and if your ceph inked in the tank then major water change. Sadly the cost of a skimmer can be quite high but do the research find one that will more than handle your tank and I promise you will be happy with all the stinky stinky stinky sludge that it makes for you!

 

[DWhatley]

The Tank Talk thread has a sticky (post that stays on the top) for discussing skimmers. There is no conclusion or obvious best answer presented but lots of alternatives to read and review.