biologically stable

[slayerhellfire]

Hey everyone I been reefing for along time now and I have always used a skimmer in every tank. About a month ago I was having some issues with nutrients being depleted in my system, I tried everything granted I have a smaller bio load which consists of a kohl tang, two clowns, 3 chromis, and a malanarus wrasse. The tank is a 60 shallow with a 40 sump, prob about 75 TWV. Now the rock that I have in my tank is old maybe 3 years its been transferred from my other set ups. Anyways, about a month ago I took my skimmer offline to see if that help and it did within 4 day my tank looked great, my tank is zoa dominated by the way. I have zero issues with algae, my po4 has been pretty stable at around 0.04-0.06 sometimes it fluxes but not much, nitrates are between 1-5 more on the lower end. I cut my water changes down to 5 gallons a week now, and my tank is thriving. My question is can my tank be biologically stable because of the aged rock, I have a ton of life that come out at night. I just want to see what everyones opinions on this is. We have always been told we need a skimmer or atleast I was. But I don't think I will every use one again atleast in this set up, I am only running carbon.

 

[DeniseAndy]

IMO A skimmer is not needed in a few situations. You have a smaller system and water changes take care of any build ups (nanos and picos). It also depends on the inhabitants of the system. A zoa dominated system will have little need for a skimmer. My rock nem system has little need of a skimmer.

However, some system do need them for the issues of either low nutrients needed (sps), or they have really high producing systems that need the help of the skimmer. I believe larger systems need them more than smaller due to water changes. For instance, I will do weekly or every other week changes on my 40g, weekly on my 6g, but hardly ever on my 210g. So, I do rely on the skimmer of my 210g to help keep things stable.

Now as far as aged rock, it has a huge impact on stability. IME, the older the rock in the system, the less issue you ahve with algae, swings of parameters, and nutrient jumps. The older my systems get, the better they stabilize and need less messing about by me.

My 210 is over 10yrs, my 40g over 2 yrs and one 6g is over 2.5yrs (except the issue with the silicone), and my others are set up on and off with live rock from my 210g sump, so aged immediately.