Help with a friend!

Alexdj · 04/22/2008, 11:45 AM

Hi to all in the forum, i just need your help. I have a friend who has a freshwater acuarium (100 gals) and he has been thinking on converting it to salt water. He have 1 fluval (canister) filter for 100 gals.

My question is, if he only wants to have a fish only acuarium do he really need a Skimmer (only fish that are hard, means that they are not so sensitive to water changes)??. The aquarium will have a very good amount of live rock and he doesnt want any invertebrates ( i told him if its only fish the aquarium it may wrk only with the filter ).

Can this be done only with a fluval canister filter (i told him to get rid of the ceramic inside of it and put live rock on it) and clean the sponge every week, add some carbon every 2 or 3 weeks and thats it.

So what do you think?? only for fish can this work without skimmer, good live rock and fish that are not so sensitive (clown fishes, damisels, some strong gobies) No invertebrates (shrimp, anemon, corals)

Thanx and hope for the answers!

fatdaddy · 04/22/2008, 12:08 PM

Yes. I bought my aquarium without a skimmer. They had some anemones, etc., but obviously they didn't have much luck with it.

The problem was that nitrates and phosphates where through the roof, so I was having constant algae growth. Even with about 80# of live rock in my aquarium, my only export was through water changes. When I added new lighting, my tank cycled with a very vigorous growth of hair algae.

I toyed with the idea of getting a nitrate reactor, but in the end, I opted for a skimmer, added more rock, & and phosphate reactor. My phosphates and nitrates are now undetectable.

So, sure, you can do it. But, you'll have a high nutrient tank with lots of algae growth.

I also read that nitrates north of 50ppm is harmful to fish, but I didn't have any fatalities. It may take more time to create damage.

Alexdj · 04/22/2008, 12:16 PM

So the best aproach should be have an skimmer anyway?... (dump de fluval??)... But the algea can be from something else (too much food) lighthing, type of water, not just because having the fluval filter working..
I mean he will be using RoDi water, partial changes and enough lighthing just for the fish (no invertebrates) 2 T5 at 108 watts total for a 100 gals aquarium.

Thats why i am asking if he really need the skimmer for only fish doing all this or he is going to get algea anyway?

Flightpipe · 04/22/2008, 12:40 PM

my set up is a 75 gal with a fluval 405 (100gal) I have a HOB skimmer (100gal). The tank has been going to about 5wks so its still new however, once through the cycle and normal diatoms brown algae my water is crystal clear and nitrates are 0. I suggest either removing the foam from the canister or like me just clean it often once a week and I have no problems. Other wise it will turn into a nitrate factory like everyone else says on here. LR helps as well. Use RO water and save your self the headache

adam1980 · 04/22/2008, 02:27 PM

My 150 and 90 sump, 4 years now and never had a skimmer. I have awsome coral growth and very healthy fish. I am only running 2 heaters 1 ehiem 90 gallon filter and i have about 10 pounds of charcol in the sump.

Alexdj · 04/22/2008, 02:49 PM

OK Flight but i mean its that need the skimmer anyway? or can this be done without the use of the skimmer...

Alexdj · 04/22/2008, 02:50 PM

adam but my friend doesnt have any sump..maybe thats what is helping you....you have corals?...or you do partial water changes very often to maintain it healty?

Alexdj · 04/22/2008, 06:45 PM

So anymore peoplpe willing to tell me whats the best aproach??

Flightpipe · 04/22/2008, 07:00 PM

Anything is possible, however EVERYONE from LFS to marine bio friends to Speciality saltwater stores that i have talked to say to get a skimmer.

I have 2 clowns 2 gobys and a longnose hawk in my tank now a very light stock for a 75gal and the mess that is skimmed out of my clear water would amaze you. If that was left in there it would only help nuisance algae.

I am to new in this hobby so i can't tell you what is best i can only share my experiance and let you make the call.

adam1980 · 04/23/2008, 07:02 AM

If he has got the cash for a good skimmer it aint gonna hurt. If not for now just stuff your canister filter full of charcoal.Half way full anyways. Also my system evaporates water very fast so I dont normally do water changes I just add about 35 gallons every three to four weeks. Good luck. And I have awsome corals and awsome coral growth.

04/22/2008, 11:45 AM	#1
Alexdj Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17	Help with a friend! Hi to all in the forum, i just need your help. I have a friend who has a freshwater acuarium (100 gals) and he has been thinking on converting it to salt water. He have 1 fluval (canister) filter for 100 gals. My question is, if he only wants to have a fish only acuarium do he really need a Skimmer (only fish that are hard, means that they are not so sensitive to water changes)??. The aquarium will have a very good amount of live rock and he doesnt want any invertebrates ( i told him if its only fish the aquarium it may wrk only with the filter ). Can this be done only with a fluval canister filter (i told him to get rid of the ceramic inside of it and put live rock on it) and clean the sponge every week, add some carbon every 2 or 3 weeks and thats it. So what do you think?? only for fish can this work without skimmer, good live rock and fish that are not so sensitive (clown fishes, damisels, some strong gobies) No invertebrates (shrimp, anemon, corals) Thanx and hope for the answers!

04/22/2008, 12:08 PM	#2
fatdaddy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast Florida Posts: 1,191	Yes. I bought my aquarium without a skimmer. They had some anemones, etc., but obviously they didn't have much luck with it. The problem was that nitrates and phosphates where through the roof, so I was having constant algae growth. Even with about 80# of live rock in my aquarium, my only export was through water changes. When I added new lighting, my tank cycled with a very vigorous growth of hair algae. I toyed with the idea of getting a nitrate reactor, but in the end, I opted for a skimmer, added more rock, & and phosphate reactor. My phosphates and nitrates are now undetectable. So, sure, you can do it. But, you'll have a high nutrient tank with lots of algae growth. I also read that nitrates north of 50ppm is harmful to fish, but I didn't have any fatalities. It may take more time to create damage. __________________ "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -- Aristotle

04/22/2008, 12:40 PM	#4
Flightpipe Sea Turtles Love Me...... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL. Posts: 745	my set up is a 75 gal with a fluval 405 (100gal) I have a HOB skimmer (100gal). The tank has been going to about 5wks so its still new however, once through the cycle and normal diatoms brown algae my water is crystal clear and nitrates are 0. I suggest either removing the foam from the canister or like me just clean it often once a week and I have no problems. Other wise it will turn into a nitrate factory like everyone else says on here. LR helps as well. Use RO water and save your self the headache __________________ "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." Current Tank Info: 29 BC Reef

04/22/2008, 07:00 PM	#9
Flightpipe Sea Turtles Love Me...... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL. Posts: 745	Anything is possible, however EVERYONE from LFS to marine bio friends to Speciality saltwater stores that i have talked to say to get a skimmer. I have 2 clowns 2 gobys and a longnose hawk in my tank now a very light stock for a 75gal and the mess that is skimmed out of my clear water would amaze you. If that was left in there it would only help nuisance algae. I am to new in this hobby so i can't tell you what is best i can only share my experiance and let you make the call. __________________ "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." Current Tank Info: 29 BC Reef Last edited by Flightpipe; 04/22/2008 at 07:11 PM.

04/22/2008, 12:16 PM	#3
Alexdj Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17	So the best aproach should be have an skimmer anyway?... (dump de fluval??)... But the algea can be from something else (too much food) lighthing, type of water, not just because having the fluval filter working.. I mean he will be using RoDi water, partial changes and enough lighthing just for the fish (no invertebrates) 2 T5 at 108 watts total for a 100 gals aquarium. Thats why i am asking if he really need the skimmer for only fish doing all this or he is going to get algea anyway?

04/22/2008, 02:27 PM	#5
adam1980 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gaylord Michigan Posts: 323	My 150 and 90 sump, 4 years now and never had a skimmer. I have awsome coral growth and very healthy fish. I am only running 2 heaters 1 ehiem 90 gallon filter and i have about 10 pounds of charcol in the sump.

04/22/2008, 02:49 PM	#6
Alexdj Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17	OK Flight but i mean its that need the skimmer anyway? or can this be done without the use of the skimmer...

04/22/2008, 02:50 PM	#7
Alexdj Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17	adam but my friend doesnt have any sump..maybe thats what is helping you....you have corals?...or you do partial water changes very often to maintain it healty?

04/22/2008, 06:45 PM	#8
Alexdj Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17	So anymore peoplpe willing to tell me whats the best aproach??

04/23/2008, 07:02 AM	#10
adam1980 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gaylord Michigan Posts: 323	If he has got the cash for a good skimmer it aint gonna hurt. If not for now just stuff your canister filter full of charcoal.Half way full anyways. Also my system evaporates water very fast so I dont normally do water changes I just add about 35 gallons every three to four weeks. Good luck. And I have awsome corals and awsome coral growth.