Should I Run Skimmerless? - Page 2

shred5 · 11/25/2009, 08:54 AM

You ask if you should go skimmerless but give no details! How can anyone answer this? Can people run a tank skimmerless: Sure. What size tank? What size refugium? Algae scrubber? What size reservoir or sump? What do you plan to keep?, What is going to be the load on the system?,Water changes? etc..

Skimmerless is possible but not recommended for beginners. A good size refugium with various algae’s can make up for a skimmer. A small tank with weekly or even daily water changes can do well. I always recommend a skimmer because at the least it is a good backup incase something goes wrong. By the way success is not measured in months but in years.

Dave

yeahitsgotahemi · 11/25/2009, 09:43 AM

Hey, thanks for all the replys everyone. In response to your reply Dave, my tank setup is as follows.
90 gallon rimless
I have single overflow 2 inch
flows into 30 gallon sump with 3 compartments and 2 bubble traps. First compartment has a filter sock, into a trap then into skimmer area with ball of rolling cheato thn trap and into a quiet one 4000 return pump Which pumps to a T union for dual return lines. Flow is subsidized with 2 hydor 4 powerheads. Aqua controller junior for controlling everything. Lighting is giesmenn infinity 2x 250 halide 4x54 compacts and 36 inch moonlight. Ummm. I think that's it for setup.

So. As I said, a skimmer was planned for the unit I was just going to wait for a bit and let it cycle before I put any fish or coral in. But it looks like I'm going to get one right away. Thanks everyone. I have never owned a tank before and this is going to be sweet. I can also say. This tanks ultimate survival is going to depend significantly on the great folks here at reefcentral! What a fantastic site!!!

fmelindy · 11/25/2009, 11:29 AM

I'm running skimmerless on a 50 gallon tank right now and have been for the last year or more. It's an SPS dominated tank with minimal bioload (2 yellowtail damsels and 2 percs) and everything is doing well, good growth and coloration, etc. No issues whatsoever. I guess I should point out that I run a denitrator and phosban reactor with GFO. Other than that, though, I use absolute no additional filtration. So far, it's the most successful setup I've ever run! (and I've owned a few, with all manner of equipment).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting everyone should run skimmerless, just pointing out that it can be done (and it's nice and quiet too!)

11/25/2009, 08:54 AM	#26
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	You ask if you should go skimmerless but give no details! How can anyone answer this? Can people run a tank skimmerless: Sure. What size tank? What size refugium? Algae scrubber? What size reservoir or sump? What do you plan to keep?, What is going to be the load on the system?,Water changes? etc.. Skimmerless is possible but not recommended for beginners. A good size refugium with various algae’s can make up for a skimmer. A small tank with weekly or even daily water changes can do well. I always recommend a skimmer because at the least it is a good backup incase something goes wrong. By the way success is not measured in months but in years. Dave

11/25/2009, 09:43 AM	#27
yeahitsgotahemi Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Red Deer Canada Posts: 48	Hey, thanks for all the replys everyone. In response to your reply Dave, my tank setup is as follows. 90 gallon rimless I have single overflow 2 inch flows into 30 gallon sump with 3 compartments and 2 bubble traps. First compartment has a filter sock, into a trap then into skimmer area with ball of rolling cheato thn trap and into a quiet one 4000 return pump Which pumps to a T union for dual return lines. Flow is subsidized with 2 hydor 4 powerheads. Aqua controller junior for controlling everything. Lighting is giesmenn infinity 2x 250 halide 4x54 compacts and 36 inch moonlight. Ummm. I think that's it for setup. So. As I said, a skimmer was planned for the unit I was just going to wait for a bit and let it cycle before I put any fish or coral in. But it looks like I'm going to get one right away. Thanks everyone. I have never owned a tank before and this is going to be sweet. I can also say. This tanks ultimate survival is going to depend significantly on the great folks here at reefcentral! What a fantastic site!!!

11/25/2009, 11:29 AM	#28
fmelindy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: St. John's, NL, Canada Posts: 116	I'm running skimmerless on a 50 gallon tank right now and have been for the last year or more. It's an SPS dominated tank with minimal bioload (2 yellowtail damsels and 2 percs) and everything is doing well, good growth and coloration, etc. No issues whatsoever. I guess I should point out that I run a denitrator and phosban reactor with GFO. Other than that, though, I use absolute no additional filtration. So far, it's the most successful setup I've ever run! (and I've owned a few, with all manner of equipment). Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting everyone should run skimmerless, just pointing out that it can be done (and it's nice and quiet too!)