question about filtration.

So I have read several places that a sump/refugium with skimmer is not the best form of filtration for temperate tanks. The first question is is that true? Second what do you guys use to filter your tanks?
I have been think of making a diy wet/dry system using seachem PondMatrix and also a skimmer. Any thoughts and input would be awesome. If my idea is a bad one let me know! I'm always down for constructive criticism! Ps this will be for a 40gal tank most likely.

Depends on the intended bio load really. What species are you wanting to keep?

With lots of filter feeding animals you may want a lot of the particulates to be recirculated before being filtered out, but if you have spot fed animals and fish you can go kind of standard filtration just overkilled and treat it more like a fish only tank since the biological filtration will never really keep up with the waste. At least in my experiences thus far.

I was thinking about doing a FOWLR tank. I really want to do a Fringehead but I am unsure on tank size for them. I have a feeling if I just do FO direction I wouldn't need too major of a filtration system but I don't mind overkill I feel safer with overkill. Do you know if fringehead's are reef safe?

That's funny you ask because I've debated on what terminology to use in regards to temperate species as far being safe with other things. I don't know if reef safe is a term that applies much to temperate species, I guess we will have to come up with something
Fringeheads will guard their den similar to how other jawfish species would. They will be more territorial towards other fringeheads so they are best kept 1 to a tank. They will prey on small crustaceans, but in temperate waters it seems everything is a dinner option if its smaller than the next animal. Fringeheads won't bother any corals, anemones or starfish though.

That was a very well worded response and thank you! And you are correct in the 'reef safe' term i just didnt know how else to say it! haha thank you again! i may or may not bombard you with more questions soon.

Open the bay days, and fire away

So what all kind of flirtation have you tried in Temperate Aquaria?

I actually started experimenting with just about everything including an algae turf scrubber that is still running on one of the lobster tanks. But the end all is really nutrient export as fast as possible. You really can't count on biological processes to do it for you like you can in a tropical tank. I even have 50 lbs of old coral base rock in my system just as a place for bacteria and for calcium.