Trying the "simple method"

[riche]

I picked up a 40 breeder over the weekend as I'm going to dive back in "again" lol

Well here is my question, the previous owner had it dialed in and wasn't using a skimmer, but the skimmer came with the set up.

I don't plan on any sps as I want to keep this a simple set-up.

So with that said would a refugium and a deep sand bed be enough to run a system?

Here is what I plan on running as of right now

A fuge, a deep sand bed, a reactor with carbon and once a month 3 gallon water changes.

The reason for 3 gallon water changes is there is a built in drain system that allows for 3 gallons to be drained before the pump is to low. Since its a bean overflow I dont want to have to restart the siphon every time I do a water change


I have read about skimmer-less systems, I just want some opinions

Thanks

 

[najer]

Not sure about reactors, do the fuge properly early doors, don't wait for it to fill out, put lots in, IME it takes longer for it to catch up and help properly out do nuisance algae, it just means you'll harvest sooner, I run a skimmer and 2 refugiums on 550 litre water volume.

 

[saltyhog]

No reason at all you can't run it that way. I would probably do slightly larger or more frequent water changes but if you are monitoring everything and the tank is thriving it will be fine.

Why would you need to "restart the siphon"? If the Bean Animal is properly set up that should not be an issue. All I have to do to start the siphon is turn my return pump back on. What's going to happen if there is a power outage and resumption while you are gone?

 

[Scooter90254]

I’m 6 weeks into giving skimmer less a try. I did buy a skimmer just in case but I’m only going to use it if I decide I need it.

Well I look back at my tanks through the years I had the best growth and coral before I was really good and removing nutrients. I honestly believe my last tank was to sterile.

 

[riche]

No reason at all you can't run it that way. I would probably do slightly larger or more frequent water changes but if you are monitoring everything and the tank is thriving it will be fine.

Why would you need to "restart the siphon"? If the Bean Animal is properly set up that should not be an issue. All I have to do to start the siphon is turn my return pump back on. What's going to happen if there is a power outage and resumption while you are gone?

That what he told me, but Im willing to learn how to do it the way you say it will work

 

[riche]

I’m 6 weeks into giving skimmer less a try. I did buy a skimmer just in case but I’m only going to use it if I decide I need it.

Well I look back at my tanks through the years I had the best growth and coral before I was really good and removing nutrients. I honestly believe my last tank was to sterile.

Nice smallmouth " toads" in your profile. St clair? There is a ton of nice size ones out there

 

[Scooter90254]

Thanks. Both 5lbs plus. Traverse City area actually. Awesome fishery.

 

[AspiringLobophyllia]

I personally stopped using my skimmer, a month later these guys popped up. A tank will balance itself out eventually no matter your equipment

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Skimmers are not by any means required. They do have a lot of benefits and many tanks would benefit from running one, but many people get along fine with water changes and refugiums.

One thing worth mentioning is that for some people, macroalgae in a refugium just won't grow. I'm one of those people. The nutrients were there because my display was overrun with algae. But still, I could never get chaeto to grow. If the algae in your refugium grows just fine, then you could probably get by without a skimmer.

I would note that whichever route you go, 3 gallon water changes are not that much. That's less than 10% on a 40 gallon tank. At that point, I probably wouldn't bother with water changes and would use ICP-OES testing to monitor the quality of my water and adjust as necessary.

 

[Ferdman]

I have a 25 gallon skimmerless system, 3 years running. I went through a few ugly stages, but it has balanced out. I only have 3 fish though. I think skimmers become more important when you increase your bioload with more fish. Just my 2 cents. I change 2-3 gallons every 2-3 weeks, and use kalk in my ATO. I run a bag of carbon and some filter floss. Don't overfeed, don't over populate, get a big clean up crew, and copepods are always a great addition. Good luck!