Getting away with no skimmer

[theMeat]

The skimmer takes proteins out of the nitrogen cycle before they have a chance to break down . Oxygenation is IMO the biggest benefit you get from a skimmer. If you want to raise nutrient levels there are many ways. One way would be to adjust your skimmer to collect less or nothing by adjusting the output valve.

 

[BestMomEver]

The skimmer takes proteins out of the nitrogen cycle before they have a chance to break down . Oxygenation is IMO the biggest benefit you get from a skimmer. If you want to raise nutrient levels there are many ways. One way would be to adjust your skimmer to collect less or nothing by adjusting the output valve.

Same thing my husband said.... “turn your skimmer down.” Problem is, it is down. I don’t like the thing very much. It either sends water out the top, micro bubbles out the bottom, or just does a miserable job. Does it skim? Yes. Is it a PITA? Absolutely!

 

[Lasse]

This brings up a very good point which, in turn, makes me curious. I can’t, no matter how hard I try, bring nitrates and phosphates above zero. Translation... little to no nutrients. Would removing my skimmer solve this or would that be a huge mistake?

IMO - you will not get your nutrients up (over all) with taking away the skimmer. The N concentration can be a little bit higher because no NH3 is aerated out but it will not affect the PO4 levels.

Yes the skimmer takes away proteins and/or amino acids but also some NH3. The proteins/amino acids is only a small part of the bio load of nitrogen. Most of comes in form of NH3/NH4 - from the gills of the fishes and in a mature aquarium from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter - but in my experiences - NO3 will not rise if you take away the skimmer.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[theMeat]

Same thing my husband said.... “turn your skimmer down.” Problem is, it is down. I don’t like the thing very much. It either sends water out the top, micro bubbles out the bottom, or just does a miserable job. Does it skim? Yes. Is it a PITA? Absolutely!

What skimmer is it?
Pic of sump set up?

 

[theMeat]

IMO - you will not get your nutrients up (over all) with taking away the skimmer. The N concentration can be a little bit higher because no NH3 is aerated out but it will not affect the PO4 levels.

Sincerely Lasse

True. That’s why finding a balance with ats or fuge , with a skimmer is a good idea. Because growing macro will remove nitrates to phosphates 4 to 1

 

[BestMomEver]

What skimmer is it?
Pic of sump set up?

The skimmer/sump is a Vertex Somatic 60. I have a 60 cube. Here’s the link...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-filtration-system-somatic.html

 

[theMeat]

The skimmer/sump is a Vertex Somatic 60. I have a 60 cube. Here’s the link...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-filtration-system-somatic.html

Finding out if you had just that skimmer (vertex) is exactly why I asked. It’s one of the least finicky skimmers there is. Rock steady. But can take some effort to dial in.

You have two adjustments. One for air intake, one for water flow coming out of skimmer.
Open the air valve and water level goes down. Close the water valve and water goes up.
Start with air valve wide open. Adjust water valve to get desired level inside skimmer. If too many bubbles are coming out of skimmer, adjust air closed, then re-adjust water valve to desired level till you find the sweet spot.
The more air you can run the more skimmate you can remove. Too much air and you get too many air bubbles coming out

 

[BestMomEver]

Finding out if you had just that skimmer (vertex) is exactly why I asked. It’s one of the least finicky skimmers there is. Rock steady. But can take some effort to dial in.

You have two adjustments. One for air intake, one for water flow coming out of skimmer.
Open the air valve and water level goes down. Close the water valve and water goes up.
Start with air valve wide open. Adjust water valve to get desired level inside skimmer. If too many bubbles are coming out of skimmer, adjust air closed, then re-adjust water valve to desired level till you find the sweet spot.
The more air you can run the more skimmate you can remove. Too much air and you get too many air bubbles coming out

Yea... over time I’ve figured it out. I just wish it didn’t have to readjusted every time I plug it back up after water change or whatever.

 

[theMeat]

Yea... over time I’ve figured it out. I just wish it didn’t have to readjusted every time I plug it back up after water change or whatever.

Weird. You shouldn’t have to readjust. Especially with a vertex once dialed in.

 

[lzrlvr]

Skimerless 4 month old

 

[JasPR]

An aquarium is a close box of water housing living metabolism. As a result, it is inevitable that some "things" WILL build up in the water column over time and other "things" will be depleted from the original water makeup. The only power the hobbyist/caretaker has over this reality is to slow the process of buildup and decline. That can ONLY be done one of two ways ( preferably incorporating both) A) using technology and harnessing biological processes to convert/remove or otherwise slow pollution. B) establish a baseline of 'purity' and return the declining/building numbers to that base line as close as possible with the use of water changes. So a Protein skimmer is invaluable in this arsenal of tools. And rationalization that you can avoid A &B is just that -- a rationalization. Sorry to be so blunt but this is Marine keeping 101 and hobbyists have been trying to escape these realities for 50 years now. Always creating a very humbling moment somewhere down the line.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

As a result, it is inevitable that some "things" WILL build up in the water column over time..... So a Protein skimmer is invaluable in this arsenal of tools.

The build up is DOC, & activated carbon is far more efficient than a skimmer at removing it.

 

[lzrlvr]

Hi protein skimming is not the only answer I do not run by the rules I stir sand and clean my glass and feed my system at the same time. I smoked a blunt and thought that your views about how someone should run their system is only your opinion not mine I have read much about reef systems and have found that there are many ways to run a tank so I try not to critique how others ru their systems.

 

[User1]

Im currently in the process of setting up a 55 gallon reef tank with a 20 gallon sump. I would want to know if i would be able to get away with no skimmer?

Too many opinions on this question I'm afraid. To answer your question though yes. You can have a reef tank without a skimmer. It isn't required. It is a tool, like other pieces of equipment, that you may or may not elect to use has part of your system. The key though is setting up your system such that it isn't needed. How many fish, surface area for bacteria, etc. It is all part of the puzzle. Three pages here and you see a lot of different opinions. Mine is no different. I've run a 40 breeder with out one and had great success. I've run two 29 gallon bio cubes again, with success. Over the years I merged them all together, added them to another 40 breeder, and added a skimmer. Then moved it to a 210 gallon with yet again another skimmer. I've also run a 100 gallon without one.

Vision, goal, plan, you can be successful. Search the net, favorite engine, and you will see many nice looking systems of all types without a skimmer. That isn't a myth, it is a fact. Now, if you want to say compare numbers of how many of one vs. the other...that is a different story. But to your question. Yes, you can get away with no skimmer if you plan accordingly.

 

[edc_aquarium]

Too many opinions on this question I'm afraid. To answer your question though yes. You can have a reef tank without a skimmer. It isn't required. It is a tool, like other pieces of equipment, that you may or may not elect to use has part of your system. The key though is setting up your system such that it isn't needed. How many fish, surface area for bacteria, etc. It is all part of the puzzle. Three pages here and you see a lot of different opinions. Mine is no different. I've run a 40 breeder with out one and had great success. I've run two 29 gallon bio cubes again, with success. Over the years I merged them all together, added them to another 40 breeder, and added a skimmer. Then moved it to a 210 gallon with yet again another skimmer. I've also run a 100 gallon without one.

Vision, goal, plan, you can be successful. Search the net, favorite engine, and you will see many nice looking systems of all types without a skimmer. That isn't a myth, it is a fact. Now, if you want to say compare numbers of how many of one vs. the other...that is a different story. But to your question. Yes, you can get away with no skimmer if you plan accordingly.

How did you plan not to run a skimmer

 

[User1]

How did you plan not to run a skimmer

Well, one example of planning is not to stock 100 fish in the tank. Bio-load. Heavier bio load or more fish then maybe you want more rock surface area for the biological filter.

Note: not saying the person wanted 100 fish but you get the idea. It means you may need stock less. Maybe you keep more of one type of coral than another to help with nutrient export. Maybe you keep "a" SPS rather than a fully stocked SPS tank. Nutrients, bio load, corals, natural filter, etc - all are things that can be planned for. Maybe they have a sump but just don't want a skimmer - add rocks, refugium, etc to help export it...

 

[edc_aquarium]

Well, one example of planning is not to stock 100 fish in the tank. Bio-load. Heavier bio load or more fish then maybe you want more rock surface area for the biological filter.

Note: not saying the person wanted 100 fish but you get the idea. It means you may need stock less. Maybe you keep more of one type of coral than another to help with nutrient export. Maybe you keep "a" SPS rather than a fully stocked SPS tank. Nutrients, bio load, corals, natural filter, etc - all are things that can be planned for. Maybe they have a sump but just don't want a skimmer - add rocks, refugium, etc to help export it...

My plan is to have very few fish with some soft corals lps and maybe a few sps. I will have a refugium and i will run carbon and gfo with filter socks

 

[WV Reefer]

Im currently in the process of setting up a 55 gallon reef tank with a 20 gallon sump. I would want to know if i would be able to get away with no skimmer?

I run my 12 Gallon Reef and my 75 Gallon Reef with no filter, no skimmer, no sump....... I do a water change every two weeks on the 12 Gallon and about once a month on the 75.

What kind of reef/livestock are you planning?

 

[edc_aquarium]

I run my 12 Gallon Reef and my 75 Gallon Reef with no filter, no skimmer, no sump....... I do a water change every two weeks on the 12 Gallon and about once a month on the 75.

What kind of reef/livestock are you planning?

More of a mixed reef and i plan on getting a tang, maybe two clowns, diamond goby, a few cleaner shrimp, snails and hermit crabs. Im definitely find with doing water changes i like doing them actually it makes me feel as if my tank gets cleaner every time i do one ( i like things clean if you cant tell)

 

[Scrubber_steve]

It is not opinion that a skimmer is a less effective method of removing DOC than activated carbon, the bacteria population in the system, & water changes.
And in regards to skimmers being useful for aeration & gas exchange, there are far cheaper alteratives.