Skimmers

[BoisBlancBoy]

What makes you have to run a skimmer?

If you didnt want to what options do you have besides one?

[Nykademus]

Originally posted by BoisBlancBoy
What makes you have to run a skimmer?

Short answer? Fish poop.


Proteins in the water need to be removed or filtered out somehow, this is what a skimmer is all about.

Nothing says that you absolutely have to have a skimmer, and I know people that do not use one (or use one only a day or two a week). My personal opinion is that your water cannot be too clean so I use one.

Your other options would be another form on mechanical filtration, so I'm not sure what you would be saving.

Any reason why you wouldn't want one?

[BoisBlancBoy]

So unless you did water changes, had a huge fuge, or vaccumed the poo all the time, it would just be easier to have a skimmer?

[Nykademus]

Originally posted by BoisBlancBoy
So unless you did water changes, had a huge fuge, or vaccumed the poo all the time, it would just be easier to have a skimmer?

Yep

[killagoby]

Try running a refugium 4 times larger than your showtank. Then you could skip the skimmer.

[jimwat]

Originally posted by BoisBlancBoy
So unless you did water changes, had a huge fuge, or vaccumed the poo all the time, it would just be easier to have a skimmer?

FYI - These are not mutually exclusive. Even with a skimmer, you still have to change water, may need a fuge (or other nutrient export), and vacuum (depending on substrate and flow).

[BoisBlancBoy]

I see the advantage of a fuge, but one that big might as well have it in its own tank for viewing. i would think that you would have some interesting stuff going on in there.

[BoisBlancBoy]

Originally posted by jimwat
FYI - These are not mutually exclusive. Even with a skimmer, you still have to change water, may need a fuge (or other nutrient export), and vacuum (depending on substrate and flow).

Yes I didnt mean to make it sound like I wouldnt have to do water changes. Of course the heavier stocked you are the more these things would be needed?

Lightly stocked tank you might be able to get away with just a skimmer? Like i said once I get a great handle on everything I will move futher into the hobby. Just finding out how simple I can start out and be successful.

[Nykademus]

Originally posted by BoisBlancBoy
Just finding out how simple I can start out and be successful.

Thats what I thought too.

[jimwat]

Originally posted by BoisBlancBoy
Yes I didnt mean to make it sound like I wouldnt have to do water changes. Of course the heavier stocked you are the more these things would be needed?

Yes

Originally posted by BoisBlancBoy
Lightly stocked tank you might be able to get away with just a skimmer? Like i said once I get a great handle on everything I will move futher into the hobby. Just finding out how simple I can start out and be successful.

Having learned this the hard myself, starting out trying to do the minimum requirements usually ends up with a tank you are not happy with. Which, usually leads to going out and spending money on the stuff you should have purchased in the first place.

Your best bet is to start by figuring out what you want for livestock, and then designing your tank to best accommodate what you are keeping.

Also, there are MANY post on RC everyday with people trying to solve problems with hair algae and/or Cyano. Take a look at some of these to see what their setups are, and what they are doing to fix it. I really wish I would have done this myself when I started...it would have saved me a lot of headaches.

[BoisBlancBoy]

Well for the first tank I think I have it figured out besides the size of tank to do.

FOWLR, probably a 4" fine live sand bed, whatever power heads and skimmer I need to get a good amount of circulation, good lighting, RO unit. As for fish, that I have NO idea. I figure once I get the tank cycled/established, next would be a cleaning crew. I definently dont want a heavily stocked tank.

I am going to get all the correct equipment and the right amount of LR and Live Sand, but I want to keep it lightly stocked as it should be easier to care for until I get better at it. Does that sound reasonable?

[matt880305]

sounds good for the most part BUT what type of light are you useing and what size tank you thinking of getting?
Matt

[mixed_reefer]

Originally posted by jimwat


Having learned this the hard myself, starting out trying to do the minimum requirements usually ends up with a tank you are not happy with. Which, usually leads to going out and spending money on the stuff you should have purchased in the first place.

Very well said and proved true in my case as well.

[BoisBlancBoy]

I guess you guys are missing my point. I am not trying to skimp out on the things I need!!! I am all about getting what I need and going from there. I dont need to start a full blown huge operation at once right?

Tank size probably around 29gal or something, nothing huge or small.

[matt880305]

ok one of the main things about this hobby is PATIENCE. lol so in otherword most likely no

[bertoni]

I run both the CPR BakPak and a CoraLife skimmer on tanks in that general size range. Either should be okay, although the CoraLife has a much larger pump hanging in the tank. I think it also removes more from the water, but that's only a guess.

[BoisBlancBoy]

Cool thanks. So two skimmers is not a bad idea? I have tons of patiences thats not a issue. It took me a year to get my 240 FW setup from buying to complete.

[BoisBlancBoy]

Also do you count the GPH of a skimmer toward your total circulation?

[jefnalyssa]

You might want to check into the 4 in sand bed. I prefer a shallow one. So I dont remember the numbersThere is a grey area in the middle that is not recommended. I believe you are at the edge of it. I think its less than 4 or more than 6.

[BoisBlancBoy]

I could very easily be wrong, but I thought I just read somewhere that the grey area is where the de-nitrification is happening.

[matt880305]

i didnt when i had my 20 i would get a Koralia Nano or two on there with the skimmer

[matt880305]

and also i think octo makes nice hob skimmers.I had a cpr hated it load and it was eather really wet skimmate or none when i adjusted it.
Matt

[matt880305]

http://www.aquacave.com/octopus-hang...00ss-1011.html opps forgot the link

[bertoni]

Actually, I just use one skimmer per system. Sorry about the lack of clarity.

The GPH of the skimmer pump doesn't count, since it ends up pumping mostly air. So the total water flow from the skimmer likely is close enough to zero that it's not worth counting.

[jimwat]

Opinions will vary, but I would not mess with a DSB in a 29. I tried a DSB in my first tank (also a 29) and did not have much success with it. I also did not like the look.

If you go with a coarser sand (an inch or so looks nice), you can have more flow. More flow will keep the detritus up in the water column so it can be removed by the skimmer. Think of it as "proactive" de-nitrification.