to skim or not to skim
- Thread starter reefndude
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Flameback Pair
started reefing 1999
I run a skimmer. Expert Julian Sprung doesn't run one on his home tank. You can see a video of his tank and an interview about it on mrsaltwatertank.com
i feel like you're trying to justify this to yourself.
yes, people do it successfully. ever been to inland aquatics? lol
who cares what your friends say? there are many ways to run a reef tank!
yes, people do it successfully. ever been to inland aquatics? lol
who cares what your friends say? there are many ways to run a reef tank!
kacrocorals581
Gotta have that acro
I ran my 240 sps tank without a skimmer for 4 years and had colonies front to back. I used a ATS 4'2' with a 400w hps bulb. A refugium with cheto dragon breath and mangroves an dsb .along with a 20L cryptic zone and 5 gal wc Mon Tues Fri and 20% a month wc. I had the best PE and color out of all of my tanks but it is also a lot of extra work to do it successfully. The extra WC and trimming the ATS and fuge I also had more little pods and micro fauna an feather dusters in that setup than any other.
OP
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reefndude
Valuable Member
Im not trying to justify anything. I just want to make sure im not setting myself up for failure. This is my first salt water tank I just wasnt 100% positive. As you can see in this thread everyone runs a skimmer up to this point. Just want to see some success stori es from those that do not.
Thanks
stoneyreef1973
New Member
i use soft corals and some lps to absorb nutrients.Also have a homemade overflow to pull off surface scum and use filter media and chateo to absorb that gunk. works great and pods go crazy
stoneyreef1973
New Member
xenia and other soft corals have been used to absorb dissolved organics in aquarium water. Why spend hundreds on a cumbersome skimmer when you can add
i use soft corals and lps to absorb nutrients and a homemade overflow to remove the surface scum and trap it with filter media and chateo.I have used a skimmer in the past but things seem to be more balanced without it and the corals respond even sps seem happier.Ibelieve in less filtration and natural methods to keep a reef healthy.
i use soft corals and lps to absorb nutrients and a homemade overflow to remove the surface scum and trap it with filter media and chateo.I have used a skimmer in the past but things seem to be more balanced without it and the corals respond even sps seem happier.Ibelieve in less filtration and natural methods to keep a reef healthy.
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reefndude
Valuable Member
Exactly what I was looking for. Thats the approach I want to take. Everyone I know uses one and swears by it. I like the more natural approach and want ti keep my system as simple as possible.
Thank you.
More success stories?
dib
Active Member
I have a 100g with a built in the back bio filter, and a 56g with a canister filter. No skimmer no sumps. I have mushrooms thriving in both. Im starting to add zoas to the 56, so far so good. I do water changes about every 3 to 4 weeks. I do have stuff on the top of the water and the 56 gets more algae on the glass, might be the fact that it is closer to a window. I'm sure a skimmer would be a benefit, but no $ for it.
dib
Active Member
I like the idea of the overflow, can you elaborate on that a bit. How? Or a photo
Thanks
Squishie89
Glub Glub
Not the tank, the collection cup.
As others have said, if it ain't broke, stop trying to fix it =P
