to skim or not to skim

reefndude · Nov 29, 2013

Does everyone think a skimmer is a must for keeping a reef tank?
I currently do not and think tank is doing good.
Whats everyones opinion?

Squishie89 · Nov 29, 2013

Running skimmerless is of course possible, but I would probably advise to use a skimmer. I look (and smell) all the gunk it pulls out and I appreciate all the work the skimmer does!

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

Squishie89 said:
Running skimmerless is of course possible, but I would probably advise to use a skimmer. I look (and smell) all the gunk it pulls out and I appreciate all the work the skimmer does!

Good point. Does the tank smell or is it just the collection cup? My water seems crystal clear. Would it make the water clearer? All corals seem healthy and thriving. Im just not sure I need to invest in a skimmer.

carolinareefguy · Nov 30, 2013

Look at the water surface (top of water) through the glass. If the water has a oily look and not clear, then a skimmer would remove the filthiness. I would advise using a skimmer.

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

carolinareefguy said:
Look at the water surface (top of water) through the glass. If the water has a oily look and not clear, then a skimmer would remove the filthiness. I would advise using a skimmer.

Nothing on water surface. All parameters read good, and no algae issues. Tank has been running for a year and a half.

kkiel02 · Nov 30, 2013

I would skim for sure. I've ran skimmer less for a few months while moving my tank but I did a lot of water changes to help. Now I am also a big fan of algae turf scrubbers as well but now that I'm in-wall I don't have the room to set mine back up so a bigger skimmer is in the plans.

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

kkiel02 said:
I would skim for sure. I've ran skimmer less for a few months while moving my tank but I did a lot of water changes to help. Now I am also a big fan of algae turf scrubbers as well but now that I'm in-wall I don't have the room to set mine back up so a bigger skimmer is in the plans.

I am a fan of ats's as well. Did you have any issues while not running your skimmer for a few months?
Reason I'm asking about skimmers is I've had a few people say I'm crazy for not using one. I'm just not convinced it's necessary

kkiel02 · Nov 30, 2013

No but this was bare bottom and I was syphoning it out for water changes weekly.

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

I see, does anyone not use a skimmer?

glb · Nov 30, 2013

reefndude said:
I see, does anyone not use a skimmer?

I don't use one on my nano. The nano skimmers don't work very well and water changes keep things in balance. If your tank is stable, I'd be hesitant to change things up. For example, my zoas and lps do better with the nitrates around 10-15ppm. If I added a skimmer, the nitrates might get too low for them to thrive. Skimmerless requires more attention to maintenance though. Just my 0.02.

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

Everything seems to be doing ok. Sps even doing well. I have a buddy that put some of his in my tank...he does run a skimmer, to color them up.
Browned in his tank, and has colored up nice in mine. I do have a problem with nitrates being to low. Been reading 0-0.25 ppm for a while.

joekool · Nov 30, 2013

it sounds like you want nitrates in your tank. why would you want that. Never heard of someone wanting nitrate levels 10 to 15ppm

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

I've heard small amount is good. And to low is not so good.

glb · Nov 30, 2013

joekool said:
it sounds like you want nitrates in your tank. why would you want that. Never heard of someone wanting nitrate levels 10 to 15ppm

I don't ever plan on keeping sps in my nano. My ideal is 10ppm. What can I say except that my corals don't look as good when it gets lower than that. Just my personal experience.

TJ's Reef · Nov 30, 2013

I've ran Softy/LPS tanks for years without a Skimmer with no issues as these type of Corals typically prefer a little more nutrients in the water. All photo-active Corals need Nitrates to feed their symbiotic algae present, LPS and Soft Corals can tolerate a lot more than SPS as they are much better equipped at competing with or fending off algal growth. SPS are present on the low nutrient Reef Crest because they can survive there, but would probably choose otherwise if asked...lol

Cheers, Todd

glb · Nov 30, 2013

TJ's Reef said:
I've ran Softy/LPS tanks for years without a Skimmer with no issues as these type of Corals typically prefer a little more nutrients in the water. All photo-active Corals need Nitrates to feed their symbiotic algae present, LPS and Soft Corals can tolerate a lot more than SPS as they are much better equipped at competing with or fending off algal growth. SPS are present on the low nutrient Reef Crest because they can survive there, but would probably choose otherwise if asked...lol

Cheers, Todd

I agree. When I get ready to run sps I'll get another tank solely for it. That way I can get the best environment for each.

reefndude · Nov 30, 2013

My mixed reef is doing well. Nutrients are very low, have been actually wanting to increase trates a bit. Not sure if thats a good idea or not

TJ's Reef · Nov 30, 2013

reefndude said:
My mixed reef is doing well. Nutrients are very low, have been actually wanting to increase trates a bit. Not sure if thats a good idea or not

Your Coral will do better health-wise with some Nitrates present, just not necessarily look better as in colors. By starving our systems/corals of nutrients they have less of the symbiotic algae present to color them (greens & browns) thus showing mainly just their actual pigment.

Cheers, Todd