Protein skimmer & uv really needed ?

[Joacub]

so is this really needed in a well balance ecosystem. I mean that if you have all the live in the aquarium that convert all the things and consume this is not longer needed. I notice that my aquarium is super clear but I also think that the beneficial bacteria and other beneficial is posible be killed by this both instruments. I have a big big uv so is probably sterilizing the whole water
Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley can through some light

btw I’m not doing water changes and nitrates nitrites ammonia is always close to zero, water chermistry is perfect I also have a lot of live inside corals fishes chaeto etc

 

[Waters]

Both are just tools to use if needed. If your nutrients are in line, a protein skimmer is not a necessity (although it does offer other benefits). Likewise, UV can be helpful to kill bacteria or parasites....again, if those aren't issues for you, then you don't need to use them.

 

[Little c big D]

The skimmer provided o2 exchange which is helpful if not for filtration

 

[Timfish]

Neither is needed. See my posts on both.

It doesn't matter where you look, whether it's our own physical and mental health or sustainable farming, healthy microbiomes are essential. Skimmers skew the microbiomes and it's questionable systems, fish and corals can be maintained for the decades or centuries they may be capable of living with skewed microbiomes. Another issue with skimmers is the manufactureres do not use any method to quantify what their skimmers are actually doing even though research done over a decade ago identified 2 metrics skimmer manufacturers could use. Skimmers also can't do anything about the hydrophilic DOC that promotes pathogenic shifts in coral microbiomes so do plan on doing water changes.

Here's some videos you might find informative:

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas"

Changing Seas - Mysterious Microbes

Nitrogen cycling in hte coral holobiont

BActeria and Sponges

Maintenance of Coral Reef Health (refferences at the end)

Optical Feedback Loop in Colorful Coral Bleaching

Richard Ross What's up with phosphate"

 

[Joacub]

Neither is needed. See my posts on both.

It doesn't matter where you look, whether it's our own physical and mental health or sustainable farming, healthy microbiomes are essential. Skimmers skew the microbiomes and it's questionable systems, fish and corals can be maintained for the decades or centuries they may be capable of living with skewed microbiomes. Another issue with skimmers is the manufactureres do not use any method to quantify what their skimmers are actually doing even though research done over a decade ago identified 2 metrics skimmer manufacturers could use. Skimmers also can't do anything about the hydrophilic DOC that promotes pathogenic shifts in coral microbiomes so do plan on doing water changes.

Here's some videos you might find informative:

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas"

Changing Seas - Mysterious Microbes

Nitrogen cycling in hte coral holobiont

BActeria and Sponges

Maintenance of Coral Reef Health (refferences at the end)

Optical Feedback Loop in Colorful Coral Bleaching

Richard Ross What's up with phosphate"

Yes that was my point skimmer coul be killing slowly the good microbies, I’m not doing water change cause I made a ecosystem that actually maintenance by himself exporting nitrate and killing bad things so no need to do water changes, I’m monitoring that so so far is great but I was thinking that maybe is even better if I not killing the food thing with skimmer and uv.

 

[Little c big D]

Yes that was my point skimmer coul be killing slowly the good microbies, I’m not doing water change cause I made a ecosystem that actually maintenance by himself exporting nitrate and killing bad things so no need to do water changes, I’m monitoring that so so far is great but I was thinking that maybe is even better if I not killing the food thing with skimmer and uv.

What's your plan for o2 exchange? Airpump?

 

[Timfish]

Yes that was my point skimmer coul be killing slowly the good microbies, I’m not doing water change cause I made a ecosystem that actually maintenance by himself exporting nitrate and killing bad things so no need to do water changes, I’m monitoring that so so far is great but I was thinking that maybe is even better if I not killing the food thing with skimmer and uv.

How are you monitoring the hydrophylic DOC?

 

[Dkmoo]

How old and how big is your tank? Also how long have your maintained the this current method?

 

[Stoney]

I think it's always good to have a UV sterilizer on standby as its an excellent problem solver. My aquauv has been fixing all kinds of problems in all my tanks. Started off killing dinos in a frag tank, then solved a bacteria bloom in a new bare bottom tank, and finally seems to be resolving a long time bacterial/microbial issue in my DT. These are all problems that persisted for months and nothing else could reliably solve. Wet skimming, large water changes, daily testing and dosing N/P, 1 micron filter socks, etc. Seriously falling in love with this thing and plan to have one permanently plumbed to every tank in case its needed.

My theory was that as some of my acros grow and get shaded out, the dying tissue encourages either an increased microbial density or a particular strain that proliferates and starts to attack healthy coral. For awhile, my lps, mushrooms, and zoas just didnt look right. I could tell something was stressing them out, but parameters checked out on multiple icp tests. Didnt have high hopes for the UV, but it was my last resort.

Only took a couple days before my lps and bounce mushrooms were inflated like I'd never seen before. Also havent had random melting zoas since I installed it 2-3 months ago, but that ones still inconclusive. Seeing all sorts of new growth on the acros too so alk consumption went through the roof and my ph is pushing 8.5 during the day now. N/P plummeted down to near zero and I'm dosing about 5x the NO3 I used to. My theory probably doesnt have the details correct, but I genuinely think this could be a rough explanation/solution to old tank syndrome.

 

[burningmime]

This has been discussed a bunch. I can't speak to no-skimmer, since aside from my pico jar, every tank has had one. But I can say that I had a pretty serious bacteria/phyto bloom that UV cleared up in under 24 hours. Doesn't mean you need to run UV 24/7 (take it offline for a few hours if dosing probiotic bacteria, or even a few weeks/months if it doesn't seem needed), but I don't think I'd do another tank without one at least unpacked and ready to go if the need arises.

 

[Jeffcb]

I run both UV and a skimmer. I believe they work well and are both excellent tools in a closed environment.

 

[Joacub]

This has been discussed a bunch. I can't speak to no-skimmer, since aside from my pico jar, every tank has had one. But I can say that I had a pretty serious bacteria/phyto bloom that UV cleared up in under 24 hours. Doesn't mean you need to run UV 24/7 (take it offline for a few hours if dosing probiotic bacteria, or even a few weeks/months if it doesn't seem needed), but I don't think I'd do another tank without one at least unpacked and ready to go if the need arises.

Yep, what I meant is, is a tool like other says if the thing f
Goes out of control, but better if you don’t run if not needed and don’t kill other good things

 

[Joacub]

I run both UV and a skimmer. I believe they work well and are both excellent tools in a closed environment.

Idk I’m monitoring and seems to be better now without it, this helps with other thing in time, but now in a balance system I think is not the best idea, cause I think I’m killing the balance…

 

[Sharkbait19]

I have such a tiny tank, and I’m sure it would be a lot cleaner and more convenient with a UV, and especially a protein skimmer. However, because it’s so easy to clean myself, I don’t see the complete necessity in either tool, other than convenience.

 

[Joacub]

How old and how big is your tank? Also how long have your maintained the this current method?

The tank is 75 gallons display and 25 sump, I’m running this for 6 months ago and I notice that even the water changes are a bad bad idea. Without water changes live are so so so pretty, when water change things are ugly or not toó happy

 

[Joacub]

I have such a tiny tank, and I’m sure it would be a lot cleaner and more convenient with a UV, and especially a protein skimmer. However, because it’s so easy to clean myself, I don’t see the complete necessity in either tool, other than convenience.

Yep In a small tank maybe is needed but in a bit tanks that you can hold different live and balance the ecosystem maybe you son meses either cause the balance is working perfect

 

[Joacub]

This is how looks the tank no water change for 2 month and any thing else, I have a system that replenish the calc and alk. And replenish too the evaporate water .

 

[Joacub]

This is how looks the tank no water change for 2 month and any thing else, I have a system that replenish the calc and alk. And replenish too the evaporate water .

Btw color are not doing great the best, they are more more bright than he filter does not work too good

 

[Jeffcb]

Idk I’m monitoring and seems to be better now without it, this helps with other thing in time, but now in a balance system I think is not the best idea, cause I think I’m killing the balance…

Remember protein skimmers and UV s are adjustable. The skim soup that I pull from my skimmer is very toxic and not good left in my 65 gallons lol. But if I want to raise PO4 or nutrients I slow or shut it down for a while.

The tank is 75 gallons display and 25 sump, I’m running this for 6 months ago and I notice that even the water changes are a bad bad idea. Without water changes live are so so so pretty, when water change things are ugly or not toó happy

I agree with you on water changes. My tank has never looked better. I did a 10 gallon water change today for the first time in 2 months. I shamed myself into doing it because they say we are suppose to...

 

[Joacub]

Remember protein skimmers and UV s are adjustable. The skim soup that I pull from my skimmer is very toxic and not good left in my 65 gallons lol. But if I want to raise PO4 or nutrients I slow or shut it down for a while.

I agree with you on water changes. My tank has never looked better. I did a 10 gallon water change today for the first time in 2 months. I shamed myself into doing it because they say we are suppose to...

Yep water changes not needed when balance ecosystem.

about phosphates you can have phosphate eaters and left over food eaters and protein skimmer not need any more

well you can have just case something is out of control in my opinion