New 30gal for daughters room

[jbpig]

Howdy all,
Well setting up a 30 in the daughters(12 years old) room to start to teach her how to do things. gonna put like some softies in there and maybe 2 or 3 fish. Here is the question. I would like to go skimmerless. I know it can be done because I have read all the post of people doing it, however I am not sure on the setup. I was gong to have of course LR and a DSB and some Caulerpa also. Will this do along with water changes? I really dont have the room to make a fuge in there, or should I invest in a skimmer? All replies are welcome. TIA

Joe

GO STEELERS!

 

[old ron]

Hi you would be doing yourself and your tank inhabitents a huge favor if you do not set the tank up in her room ie: lights on and off should occure at a regular time ea day your little girl will be limited as to what she can do in her room lamps off & on, music, girl friends staying over etc. buy a good skimmer and install it it does not need to be run all the time perhaps a few hours a week do not skimp on what you need for the tank as it will cost you more in the long run. ( your daughter can learn just as much even if the tank is not in her room) caulerpa will run rampant in your main tank (consider leaving it out)

 

[Anonymous]

Hello
I disagree with old ron about the skimmer. I think a tank can run well without a skimmer (especially a 30 gallon with a DSB), and I think by doing regular water changes it would be fine. plus, the water changes would be good discipline for your daughter to learn how to take care of animals. I had a tank in my dorm when I lived in one and I was skimmerless and sumpless. I had a DSB and did regular water changes and the tank flourished. About the lighting, if you ran the lights like 10am to 10pm or so I dont see how that could be impairitve to a 12 year old. the overhead light would not be too disturbing and I cant imagine she is up until 4 in the morning! (I would be wrong :lol: )
Machine

 

[Vixyswillie]

Agree with MIO. Many (if not most) nano tanks are run based on these principles - often without a DSB. I have a 7g bowfront nano at work, for example, which only has about 2 inches of sand in it and minimal LR. Without the benefits of a DSB, lots of LR and a skimmer, however, frequent water changes are essential.