skimmerless systems?

boxfishpooalot · 03/14/2007, 12:57 PM

Who here has a skimmerless system? Show a picture if you want, thanks

plateboy3293 · 03/14/2007, 01:04 PM

The reef tank that I have has no skimmer instead I use calepua. Sorry no pics no camera

Mr.Marls · 03/14/2007, 01:08 PM

I did it, but had algae problems.

Some tanks have no skimmer, but IME, a skimmer is a huge part of a reef system.

csb · 03/14/2007, 01:24 PM

Running without a skimmer is possible.. I have a 5.5g nano without a skimmer, but it has very small bioload (no fish) and soft corals which are more tolerant of dirty water. In a skimmerless tank, water changes must be your religion.

My nano gets a 2g water change weekly, but even with that, it still has algae problems at this stage.

dc_909 · 03/14/2007, 01:32 PM

boxfishpooalot · 03/14/2007, 01:33 PM

Im interested in them mainly because Ive had great success with them with 0 nitrates and phosphates despite the algal growth. In my other tanks with sand beds and a skimmer I have nutrient issues. I think the skimmer is removing valuble nutrients that micro fauna feed on. Or perhaps their larvae which cannot increase in population because skimmer removes them.

Did you guys use filter socks or any mechanical filtration?

Edit, DC nice tank!

Overland04 · 03/14/2007, 01:44 PM

I've ran skimmerless for almost 4 years with a DSB and I just started skimming last week because of a cyno outbreak..Its not the problem but i thought it couldnt hurt. Ill let it run for another couple weeks but it think im going back without one

Overland04 · 03/14/2007, 01:47 PM

Sorry...I do also run a filter pad under 50% of the water going into the sump

K9 · 03/14/2007, 01:48 PM

Two of my old tanks, both skimmerless. 20g had a sump, 30g didn't.

20g:

30g:

DarkAngel06 · 03/14/2007, 01:50 PM

I only turn on the skimmer for a month in the past 9 months and everything is ok. I change 15 gallons of water every week. I never have alge problems. Also I use tap water filer, no rodi.

I don't know how I do it. It works on me.

03/14/2007, 12:57 PM	#1
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	skimmerless systems? Who here has a skimmerless system? Show a picture if you want, thanks __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

03/14/2007, 01:04 PM	#2
plateboy3293 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hillsborough, New Jersey Posts: 1,038	The reef tank that I have has no skimmer instead I use calepua. Sorry no pics no camera __________________ Wars come and go but my soldiers stay eternal Current Tank Info: 155 gallon bow

03/14/2007, 01:24 PM	#4
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	Running without a skimmer is possible.. I have a 5.5g nano without a skimmer, but it has very small bioload (no fish) and soft corals which are more tolerant of dirty water. In a skimmerless tank, water changes must be your religion. My nano gets a 2g water change weekly, but even with that, it still has algae problems at this stage. __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef

03/14/2007, 01:33 PM	#6
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Im interested in them mainly because Ive had great success with them with 0 nitrates and phosphates despite the algal growth. In my other tanks with sand beds and a skimmer I have nutrient issues. I think the skimmer is removing valuble nutrients that micro fauna feed on. Or perhaps their larvae which cannot increase in population because skimmer removes them. Did you guys use filter socks or any mechanical filtration? Edit, DC nice tank! __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

03/14/2007, 01:44 PM	#7
Overland04 Wisher of the redo button Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Red Hook, NY Posts: 614	I've ran skimmerless for almost 4 years with a DSB and I just started skimming last week because of a cyno outbreak..Its not the problem but i thought it couldnt hurt. Ill let it run for another couple weeks but it think im going back without one __________________ What do you call a fish with no eye?....... ......... ......... ......... Fsh Current Tank Info: 75g Rimless

03/14/2007, 01:08 PM	#3
Mr.Marls Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 59	I did it, but had algae problems. Some tanks have no skimmer, but IME, a skimmer is a huge part of a reef system.

03/14/2007, 01:32 PM	#5
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260

03/14/2007, 01:47 PM	#8
Overland04 Wisher of the redo button Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Red Hook, NY Posts: 614	Sorry...I do also run a filter pad under 50% of the water going into the sump __________________ What do you call a fish with no eye?....... ......... ......... ......... Fsh Current Tank Info: 75g Rimless

03/14/2007, 01:48 PM	#9
K9 Go ahead, hop the fence. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,450	Two of my old tanks, both skimmerless. 20g had a sump, 30g didn't. 20g: 30g: __________________ Planning a big tank comeback for the year 20xx.

03/14/2007, 01:50 PM	#10
DarkAngel06 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11	I only turn on the skimmer for a month in the past 9 months and everything is ok. I change 15 gallons of water every week. I never have alge problems. Also I use tap water filer, no rodi. I don't know how I do it. It works on me.