Skimmer reactor or both

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

Wondering the thoughts out there on equipment. I've read threads on going skimmer less, but I'm still skeptical. I have a pellot reactor and skimmer waiting to be hooked up. Are there people running both? One over the other?

If running one over the other, what are the bio loads in the tank?

Anyone run reactor and still have macro algae?

Downbeach · Apr 17, 2016

You will need a skimmer if you're going to run a BP reactor, so I'd start with that. I started a BP reactor while still running a fuge, but there wasn't enough N's and P's for both to run properly, so I removed the chaeto.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 17, 2016

A lot of my tanks have never had anything..... except macroalgae, that is. My bioloads are generally high and I don't change much water.

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

Wait, you don't run skimmers Renee? Even on the 210?

Lionfish Lair · Apr 17, 2016

The pump for the one on the 210g broke and I haven't replaced. That was about 2 years ago. I've tried different skimmers off and on, but currently don't have any at all running.

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

Really. How much macro algae are you using? I suppose you don't have anything in there that will eat the macro either though, like a rabbit fish.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 17, 2016

There's none in the 210g and I don't use it in all the tanks. There was one tank that had zero nuisance algae until we pulled the macro to go a different direction. Crikey! It looked so nasty for awhile.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 17, 2016

rayn said:
How much macro algae are you using?

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

Then what's your secret?! Your tanks always look pristine! White or coralline covered rocks. White sand. Prefect pretty fish. I bet you sit by the tanks all day, waiting for that fish to poop, just to scoop it out.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 17, 2016

I only use just enough light.
I feed with a stick.
I keep my tanks on the cooler side.
I buffer my top off.

If I mess around with any of those 4, I know I'm asking for trouble.

I missed a fantastic photo op once because my panel wasn't clean..... I learned my lesson.

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
I only use just enough light.
I feed with a stick.
I keep my tanks on the cooler side.
I buffer my top off.

If I mess around with any of those 4, I know I'm asking for trouble.

Explain please. I get the stick feedings. "Just enough light"? Temp? Buffer with what?

mcarroll · Apr 17, 2016

rayn said:
Wondering the thoughts out there on equipment. I've read threads on going skimmer less, but I'm still skeptical. I have a pellot reactor and skimmer waiting to be hooked up. Are there people running both? One over the other?

If running one over the other, what are the bio loads in the tank?

Anyone run reactor and still have macro algae?

You may have to define what your theoretical goal is with the reactor, but in general they do not "fully work" without a skimmer to remove their product.

You can however run a reef with or without a skimmer and certainly you can run a reef without a reactor.

Plan your livestock, water change system, etc accordingly.

It will probably take a little more discipline than the average tank but nothing heroic.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 17, 2016

Most nuisance algae loves higher temps and higher light, so I try not to give them what they love. I use just enough light to meet the needs of [insert critter]. If I have LPS, I'll light it to meet its needs and no more. If it's just fish, I light it meet my eye's needs, and no more. A lot of people are about wringing the most they can get out of their lights. I buffer everything with Seachem Reef Buffer. It keeps the buffering capacity up and microalgae loves a weak pH. It also helps with coralline algae growth, so nuisance algae doesn't have as many surfaces to get a hold on. The lower lighting also promotes the growth of a lot of coralline species.

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

Dang you Renee! Learned something new again from you

rayn · Apr 17, 2016

mcarroll said:
You may have to define what your theoretical goal is with the reactor, but in general they do not "fully work" without a skimmer to remove their product.

You can however run a reef with or without a skimmer and certainly you can run a reef without a reactor.

Plan your livestock, water change system, etc accordingly. It will probably take a little more discipline than the average tank but nothing heroic.

My reactor isn't a pellot reactor where they wear down and need replaced. It's a reactor with plastic media in it, supposedly never needing replaced. Once again, Bashsea, but ice seen them work on large systems. Before, once hooked up, and the aftermath of them running for a couple months. Basically my little bashsea system on a larger scale.

twilliard · Apr 17, 2016

You too always going at it lol
It's simple.. want to reduce DOC'S then run a skimmer

mcarroll · Apr 18, 2016

rayn said:
My reactor isn't a pellot reactor where they wear down and need replaced. It's a reactor with plastic media in it, supposedly never needing replaced. Once again, Bashsea, but ice seen them work on large systems. Before, once hooked up, and the aftermath of them running for a couple months. Basically my little bashsea system on a larger scale.

You're just talking about a biological filter chamber then...more or less a cannister filter. Seems that should be more for a fish-only tank that is WITHOUT live rock.

It won't hurt anything to run it, but personally I would not....let the live rock and sand do the job you bought them for.

I'd probably just run the skimmer alone....but I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend much/any money to get the skimmer running.

Skimmerless would definitely be tempting - especially since it may not be forever.