after reading about all these things a couple years ago i've experimented with several (cryptic zones, xenia, aiptasia, sponges, remote DSB). truth is, i really don't think you get as much bang for your buck as macro algae, particularly the cheato variety.
that being said, since i set up a display refugium (i sectioned off my sump so that the front viewing area is the reverse photoperiod fuge an the back 2 sections are where i have skimmer reactors heater etc) i still have some of these things set up.
i do grow pulsing xenia in the fuge section along with feather caulerpa, grape caulerpa, red dragons breath macroalgae, and halimeda. yeah, i know, the caulerpa isn't a good idea but it looks pretty and i keep an eye on it going sexual.
under the skimmer, i set up a cryptic zone, growing sponges, aiptasia and all things creepy in the dark crypt.
like i said, its hard to tell if any of these additional/experimental options help since they take awhile to establish but they're fun to set up, particularly when you start getting bored!
people do all sorts of weird things to their reef when they get bored (eg. the rice experiment as a biopellet alternative!).
so yeah, i would say if you're serious about wanting improved natural filtration, stick with the proven, simple, and elegant solution of rolling ball of cheatomorpha in a fuge. if you're looking for something a little experimental and a bit dangerous, try growing an aiptasia scrubber. personally, once you get a ball of cheato rolling in a fuge (which is a difficult feat on its own!), then maybe start experimenting with these alternative methods.
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- rev.
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