Do you run a Skimmer?

[burningmime]

Some people i know just run an air stone. As long as they solve the issue of bubbles in the tank, then why not if the reason is to aerate the tank.

Thanks! Would an air stone work as well as a needle-wheel pumping skimmer?

 

[takitaj]

I run one for nutrient export and the benefits of oxygenation which also helps raise/stabilize pH.

 

[DxMarinefish]

Thanks! Would an air stone work as well as a needle-wheel pumping skimmer?

Not sure if it works as well, just saying that if the primary reason is to just aerate, then an air stone sized to the system can suffice. Also keeps it simple.
I did that before getting a skimmer.

 

[jaganshi066]

I can't argue with that.

Maybe a skimmer will lower my nitrates a bit (mine stays around 5), but I heard a little nitrate is actually beneficial

 

[Viva'sReef]

I always went with the "buy the biggest skimmer you can fit and afford" mantra

Given that, on my new tank build I started in October, I did just that. It's definitely oversized for my tank and getting it dialed in has been a pain but I found a sweet spot finally. After doing some more reading on the subject it would seem that my choice of sump with the automatic fleece roller and the giant skimmer I might be doing too good of a job at removing excess waste. I'll keep tweaking but yeah, my skimmer is too big probably

 

[Stuartmercer]

I said no. I have a skimmer, but no sump so it takes up a lot of space in the DT. I also dont find it super unneccesary to have one. If you have regular maintenance than your fine, at least in my experience. You dont have to go all fancy with equiptment to have an amazing tank. Sometimes simplicity is key.

 

[fishlover1478]

I don't plan to since I want to have lots of filter feeders I might run one with the skimmate running into the sump for ph and oxygen

 

[G Santana]

If you saw my collection cup I clean weekly, you'd run one too lol

 

[DaddyFish]

When I first started in saltwater everyone kept saying "You MUST have a skimmer!", but my first tanks were (and most still are) canister systems. The prices for skimmers is another turn-off. Expensive acrylic piggybanks that all function pretty much the same way with only a few exceptions. So I set out to experiment with various methods of nutrient export and then added a skimmer to test the efficiency. If the skimmer didn't generating any skim after 2-3 weeks and my nutrients remained low, the system was a winner.

Now I'm too far along with the engineering, science and testing to ever turn back to skimmers. I don't want anything to do with a system that requires physical maintenance like emptying cups of sludge or water changes more than once per month.

 

[DxMarinefish]

When I first started in saltwater everyone kept saying "You MUST have a skimmer!", but my first tanks were (and most still are) canister systems. The prices for skimmers is another turn-off. Expensive acrylic piggybanks that all function pretty much the same way with only a few exceptions. So I set out to experiment with various methods of nutrient export and then added a skimmer to test the efficiency. If the skimmer didn't generating any skim after 2-3 weeks and my nutrients remained low, the system was a winner.

Now I'm too far along with the engineering, science and testing to ever turn back to skimmers. I don't want anything to do with a system that requires physical maintenance like emptying cups of sludge or water changes more than once per month.

With that reply, I just started watching you build thread.

Similar reefing approach.

 

[jft]

When I first started in saltwater everyone kept saying "You MUST have a skimmer!", but my first tanks were (and most still are) canister systems. The prices for skimmers is another turn-off. Expensive acrylic piggybanks that all function pretty much the same way with only a few exceptions. So I set out to experiment with various methods of nutrient export and then added a skimmer to test the efficiency. If the skimmer didn't generating any skim after 2-3 weeks and my nutrients remained low, the system was a winner.

Now I'm too far along with the engineering, science and testing to ever turn back to skimmers. I don't want anything to do with a system that requires physical maintenance like emptying cups of sludge or water changes more than once per month.

I agree w you sumps and skimmers OUTRAGEOUSLY priced. Good Husbandry and Knowledge IS the KEY!!! I run eheim canisters and airstones NEVER had a problem in 25 years . good Luck.

 

[Timfish]

When I stared in the 80's TFH had a series of articles with a reef system without a skimmer and I had read about Lee Chin Eng's methods so I knew reef systems could be kept without skimmers. When Is started my maintenance business in the mid 90's doing a lot of cold calls I realized success wasn't dependant on equipment but on the consistancy and attention the owner paid to their system so by 2000 I had stopped using skimmers and haven't seen the need for them since.

Anyone on here who doesn't use a skimmer also not using a fuge? Interested to see how you make it work.

I'm guessing you're reffering to a lighted refugium. Becasue from what I understand reading about cryptic sponges (See Steve Tyree's stuff and papers by Laura Riz or Jasper de Goeij) I would consider an unlit refugium for sponges more essential. So here's systems without lit refugiums.

90 Gallon Mixed Reef

Mixed Reef started in 1997, 10-07-19

220 Rimless 450 view

 

[SaltISlife]

I ran no skimmer for 3 years in my 135g.. no sump either.. all i have is a 55w uv, and 2 gallons of denitrate running at 30gph to keep nitrates in check.

But i habe 5 tangs. A foxface. 3 dwarf angels. 3 wrasses, 3 dottybacks, 2 green chromis, crabs a long spine sea urchins, snails, and a star fish.

So my nitrates range from 20-50 depending on how much i feed or how long its been since i did a water change. And when i do water changes i generally do 40-50% almosy i drop nitrates back down to 20. Without my denitrate. Nitrates will climb very fast and i cant keep up. So its 100% essential to have nitrate export.

Since i have no sump and i wont drill a 40 year old half inch thick glass tank (built in 1982). I finally got myself a skimmer.

I bought a sea clone 150..despit mixed reviews of it not working for anyone.. im pretty crafty at solving problems. I got it yesturday and i noticed it didnt work. I fixed it by sealing the cup with a rubber band on the neck as i noticed it was leaking inside itself.

After that it started skimming like mad. In 9 hours my cup was full of beer color liquid. I need to adjust the air a little as its a wet skim but im very happy.

Skimmers wont take out nitrates.. but im combination with my denitrate and removing orgsnics from the skimmer. I hope i be able to manage nitrates more.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Yup. I have an RSK600. Best skimmer i've ever had.

 

[cloggins]

I personally do not run a skimmer because I feel by doing water changes every other week keeps levels and waste stable in my 90g mixed reef.

What do you do?

I don't run a skimmer for a couple reasons. Firstly, the smell permeated the house. Secondly, the dry bubbles were constantly forcing the lid off, and making a crown of dried fish poop. After months of trying I gave up, and pulled it out.

I now run the entire sump area of my RSR 625XXL as a refuge. My NO3 and PO4 are pretty low, though not zero. I do run floss in the cups to help export junk. The only negative I've noted is low pH.

 

[Dkmoo]

I don't run a skimmer for a couple reasons. Firstly, the smell permeated the house. Secondly, the dry bubbles were constantly forcing the lid off, and making a crown of dried fish poop. After months of trying I gave up, and pulled it out.

I now run the entire sump area of my RSR 625XXL as a refuge. My NO3 and PO4 are pretty low, though not zero. I do run floss in the cups to help export junk. The only negative I've noted is low pH.

The pH management alone is worth the skimmer imo

Ph is so crucial often overlooked for long term stony coral health. Many overlook it because "just keep alk stable" but keeping alk stable in the high co2 indoor modern home environment can mean a generally suboptimal ph range.

 

[KyOsIBa515]

To each their own and with their own experiences. However, protein skimming really is probably the best piece of equipment to arm your system with.

If you read the history behind the foam fractionator it is an old technology and one found by accident for aquaria use. However, to mimic a natural process in nature. Similar to foam washing up on beaches.

I don’t really see any negatives especially with all the technological advances and fail safes and switches. Only positive benefits if used and maintained properly.

 

[DrEggroll]

I have a large skimmer for my 120 gal. The tank has only been set up for 3 months. Just got my 4th fish. My nitrates have been zero since I also got my chaeto growing. I have since turned the skimmer off and have been feeding more to fish and coral. Once my tank starts getting more nitrates I will turn it on. Planning on 10% water change every 2weeks/month but testing twice a week and going as needed

 

[DrEggroll]

answer really depends on individual situation

if lightly stocked - WC alone could work but if system is new then the waste readings will be misleading b/c a lot of excess waste is actively being absorbed into sand/rock causing low no3/po4 reading and giving false impression that "doing wc is enough", then 8 months later rock/sand reach saturation and BAM algae/cyano explosion.

if heavily stocked - depends on what other filtration you have. sock/fuge/floss, etc.. each method targets a specific section of the nutrient cycle from food input to no3/po4 absorption so each is not a direct replacement to others in terms of waste management. Generally skimmer and flossers target earlier stages of nutrient cycle so to the extent any waste passes thru, it will accumulate/exported via WC or algae absorption only. to that end, if you want to decide the relative necessity of each stage of filtration, then fuge would be the most necessary as it targets the final waste product.

I have a 3 month old 120 that is lightly stocked with 4 fish and 4 small corals. My nitrates and phos have been zero. My LFS recommended turning off the skimmer for now. I have chaeto which was growing like made so I turned the lights down. Would you recommend keeping both going? I am having a softy LPS tank and want some nitrates/phos

 

[DrEggroll]

I think you are talking about two separate things here. While a properly sized refugium can eliminate the need for a skimmer they dont really do the same thing. The skimmer removes organics before they breakdown and a refugium consumes the organics after they have broken down. I would certainly not say either one is "better" it really depends on the tank, setup, and goals.

My skimmer is right after my filter socks. I am new and don’t think I likely am going to be changing them every few days. Would it be better to get rid of them and have the skimmer on?