Skimmer question

[Supergenius74]

I'm sure this question has been asked a thousand times but i can't find any posts on it, Do you need a skimmer? I don't have one, water levels are good, I have used home built miracle mud refugium and LS/LR and regular water changes for the last year and everything has been fine, no deaths or emergencies, some unwanted aptaisa but thats it. Comments and Opinions welcome.

 

[liquid]

moved to the appropriate forum

 

[Leopardshark]

While many people keep succesful reefs without one, I´m yet to see a full sps´s tank without it.
IMHO it is one device I wouldn´t run my tank without. I really like to know that it is taking out lots of organics and other harmful stuff from my tank.
I also have a DSB so it aids it to handle all the waste.
JMHO
Marco

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Marco that a full blown SPS/Clam tank requires a skimmer. I'm sure someone will chime in and say they have kept sps and clams without a skimmer, but that would be the exception and not the norm.

I have a 37G FOWLR with doesn't have a skimmer. I am getting ready to add VHO lights and a DSB and will start keeping some mushrooms, ricordias, and some softies. I am going to try this without a skimmer. I'll do regular WC's. If it doesn't work out I'll add a skimmer later.

FWIW, another benefit of skimmers is that they add alot of aeration to your tank as well.

Louey

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
In my office tank, I ran it for almost a year without a skimmer. It has SPS and clams, and I did not do water change for about two years. Not unexpected, I broke the whole tank down and reset it up again because it is in such a miserable shape in past two months. So my experience is that you can do well without skimmer for several months without problem, but if you do it long term, it will take much effort, but not a impossible task. FWIW.

 

[Lifer]

We should strive to keep an equalibrium in our aquariums. Wether this is DOC (dissolved organic carbon) levels pH, temp, salinity, nitrate or whatever parameter you can think of. All of your aquarium's inhabitants must deal with the changing concentrations of all these solutes or interactions. Do you need a skimmer or not? I think it depends on your experience level or the amount of time you have to devote to your tank. A skimmer will keep DOCs and other dissolved substances at a relatively constant level. A fluctuation here or there but not as unpredictable as without one. A skimmer is a very good piece of equipment and should still be looked upon as neccessary. Notice that most people that go without end up breaking down the tank sooner or later.

 

[Len]

Lifer,

Welcome to Reefs.org!. I couldn't agree with your statements more

 

[Supergenius74]

This place is always the best place for me to get the truth about this great hobby. Im still somewhat new to saltwater (1 yr) and always learning new things. My experience in fishkeeping is probably what has kept me sucessful in reefkeeping, however I have been sucessful for a year without a skimmer but i am always thinking bigger and better and im sure it will be a necessity before too long. Again thanks for all the info everyone.