Who does not skim?

[dmentnich]

O.K. I posted the topic under this heading to attract those of you who do not skim in the hopes of unfairly obtaining the answer that I want. I have a 75 Gal With a 20 Gal refugium and will be connecting another 33 Gal to that. The refugium has a DSB, the future refugium will have a DSB and both have/will have macro algae and mangrove pods. The bio load is somewhat light with 3 small fish some shrimp, snails and about 10 corals. I have the chance to get a good skimmer at a fairly good price. So far I have been happy not skimming but should I start? What are the major drawbacks of skimming (aside from nutrient loss and cost?) Appreciate you input. Thanks.

 

[esmithiii]

I skim, and would not do without.

Ernie

 

[NasotheHutt]

I have not skimmed in 6 months, with no ill effects. I have 750 gallons TOTAL water volume, approx 400lbs live rock, and a refugium/mangrove. My bio load is....4 yellow tangs, 1 sailfin, 1 hippo, 1 naso, 1 mimic, 2 firefish, 2 green cromis, 2 precs, 1 maroon, 1 cleaner wrasse, and a ton of snails. Moderatly stocked with softies, inverts and sps. (this is between 2 tanks that share the same sump) However, I will begin stocking more heavy next year. As a result I am adding more LR, and getting a ETS gemini 1400 this month.

HTH
Scott

 

[dmentnich]

Thanks, just currious. I keep thinking maybe I should go for it, but then I figure if it's doing well without why bother.

 

[danmhippo]

IF, you have a mature tank and IF, you make regular water changes (e.g. weekly) and IF, you have a heavy macro algae production and IF, you regularly monitors your water parameter and IF, you really knows what you are doing, you can try skimmerless.

I have just gone over to skimmerless for about 3-4 months. Everything is great. I have heavy load of polyps, gorgs, sponges, and softies that appreciates daily doses of pods, plankton, and plankton subsitutes. With skimming, much of what I added will go into the skimmate collection cup before they reach the end of their useful life.

It's your call.

Jimmy

 

[Anonymous]

Why would you want to have a skimmer? If you can't tell, I am skimmerless.

 

[Anonymous]

Skim heavy, feed heavier. If you aren't skimming and your tank looks good, you probably aren't feeding enough LOL though this does depend on tank maturity.

That said, I'm building a 4 gal nano with a closed loop and I don't plan on skimming it but the tank is so small water changes will suffice.

 

[Styk33]

Never skim, haven't changed water in 2+ years. I have some macro algea in my tank, but that is new within the last 6 months. Since the algea addition though my tank is growing faster.

Here is a pic before I moved the algea to the sump. You cannot see the four other varieties of mushrooms that are behind the main rocks.

There are two damsels and on clown in my tank. Plus a couple stars, snails, and crabs. I feed about every third day if I remember. Specs are on my website.

 

[newreefman1]

NO skimmer here.
My 60 is very very new, had a 18 tall with no skimmer and my 60 setup a few years ago with no skimmer.
My 60 has a 20 gallon sump, 5 gallon refugium and runs great. new worms, sponges and critters EVERY day.

New pics from yesterday at
http://members.home.net/jasonco6/newestpics

 

[Anonymous]

Well, as for the not feeding enough, i probably feed more than most. I feed at least 3 1/2" cubes of mysis, a 1/2" cube of angel formula, nori and seaweed selects on a clip (3x2") every day, plus a couple of pinches of spirulina. I also drop 10-15 shrimp pellets in for the "critters" a couple times a week. A couple times a week I put a shrimp in there for hermits and starfish, plus I feed the elegance and fungia a shrimp. I have a 3" Powder blue tang, a 2-2 1/2" Emperor angel, a 1 1/2" yellow tang, and an algae blenny. As the tank gets more "SPS" corals, I will also start feeding DT's and other phyto. Just because you don't skim doesn't mean you don't feed. I foyu don't feed things won't do as well. All the critters we keep have mouths.

 

[dmentnich]

Thanks all!
I think I fanally have the nerve to "just go with it." After all, it seems to be working.
P.S. Nice Pic!

 

[HARRISON]

Tkae alook in a skimmer cup...smell the skimmer cup. Look good? Smell good? No, thats the crap your fish are stuck in because you don't skim it out, hahahah.

Seriously though, it is a closed system and the only way to get the gunk out is to skim, filter, or change water alot. IMO, your animals can survive for a long time without a skimmer but not really thrive. I skim lightly to keep from over skimming but I do skim...

Would be interesting to see if it works, just hope your animals don't suffer...

 

[Anonymous]

So exactly what are you pulling out with the skimmer? No one knows. Are ther critters in the tank that eat the stuff? No one knows. My tank, and many others are doing great without a skimmer. There may not be a coral around that can't be kept in a skimmerless system. All you need is nutrient export to balance import. How one achieves that can be done about as many ways as there are tanks.

 

[NaCl-H2O]

I've been skimmerless for two years now on both tanks, NO PROBLEMS! Controlling nutrient going in, a DSB and a refugium are a better means of control than a skimmer. My tanks seem healthier without the skimmers.