skimmer required for no fish tank?

wood0691 · 09/21/2011, 07:37 AM

im in the process of getting my sump design together and need to know if the skimmer is needed with out any fish? only coral and CUC.
the tank i plan on using is a 27 long inside measures 35.5x11x12 tall and hold 20.03 gallons.
baffles in the sump determand by the skimmer and cant decide where and how long/short i should put them in the sump. ive looked at all the pics and read everything i can find but it seems to be play by ear to me, I am in no way a math expert. any thoughts I would love to hear, everyone has been so helpful on all my other newbie questions, Thanks alot...

Chad,
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!

spieszak · 09/21/2011, 07:39 AM

if you plan on feeding the corals (target or otherwise), I'd have a skimmer, especially on a small tank...

Jabberwock · 09/21/2011, 07:45 AM

You don't need a skimmer *IF* you are going to be able to stick to a regiment of large and/or frequent water changes. A skimmer would be ideal though.

wood0691 · 09/21/2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spieszak

if you plan on feeding the corals (target or otherwise), I'd have a skimmer, especially on a small tank...

i didnt explain it enough, the DT is a 55g and the 20g is the sump.

Agu · 09/21/2011, 08:03 AM

Although a skimmer isn't required to have a reef tank design the sump so a skimmer can be added in the future. That way you don't lock yourself out of the option if/when your plans for the tank change.

computeaholic · 09/21/2011, 09:45 AM

You don't have to have a skimmer. The question is how good do you want your water quality? Skimmer is always a great idea. Especially if you are going to have some higher end corals. If your growing star polpys who cares? If you are getting into acans or above. Skim it.

Sk8r · 09/21/2011, 11:25 AM

Depends. SPS uses skimmer, other corals you don't need one.

09/21/2011, 07:37 AM	#1
wood0691 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Birmingham Alabama Posts: 329	skimmer required for no fish tank? im in the process of getting my sump design together and need to know if the skimmer is needed with out any fish? only coral and CUC. the tank i plan on using is a 27 long inside measures 35.5x11x12 tall and hold 20.03 gallons. baffles in the sump determand by the skimmer and cant decide where and how long/short i should put them in the sump. ive looked at all the pics and read everything i can find but it seems to be play by ear to me, I am in no way a math expert. any thoughts I would love to hear, everyone has been so helpful on all my other newbie questions, Thanks alot... Chad, ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!

09/21/2011, 07:39 AM	#2
spieszak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,877	if you plan on feeding the corals (target or otherwise), I'd have a skimmer, especially on a small tank... __________________ I'm new to this saltwater thing, all comments should be taken with a BUCKET of salt! :-) -Stacey

09/21/2011, 07:45 AM	#3
Jabberwock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Charleroi, PA Posts: 120	You don't need a skimmer IF you are going to be able to stick to a regiment of large and/or frequent water changes. A skimmer would be ideal though. __________________ -bill __________________ Current Tank Info: 90g Lagoon (launched 6/17) - LPS - 2x 360w, 1x MP40, 1x NWB-150, 1x GFO reactor, RKE, 2-part //// 24g Nano (Launched 1/18) - Zoanthid Garden - 5x Trulumen Pro, MJ1200

09/21/2011, 08:03 AM	#5
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Although a skimmer isn't required to have a reef tank design the sump so a skimmer can be added in the future. That way you don't lock yourself out of the option if/when your plans for the tank change. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

09/21/2011, 11:25 AM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Depends. SPS uses skimmer, other corals you don't need one. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/21/2011, 09:45 AM	#6
computeaholic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 76	You don't have to have a skimmer. The question is how good do you want your water quality? Skimmer is always a great idea. Especially if you are going to have some higher end corals. If your growing star polpys who cares? If you are getting into acans or above. Skim it.

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