Considering ditching my skimmer... Input please!

Eel Freak · 01/30/2012, 07:32 PM

Well. I keep reading the arguments over whether or not a skimmer is doing more harm than good and things of that nature.

I have always been a big proponent of skim heavy and skim well. I run an SRO-XP5000e on my 350g system (200g display, 125g fuge, and 55g sump). The thing is a monster and looks downright cool, but, I don't get all that much skim out of it. In all honesty I don't get a whole heck of a lot more than I did when I had my 125g system with an SRO-XP1000SSS on it (volume of skim vs. volume of tank and feeding, etc.) I only have to clean the cup like once a month.

I used to clean more often, but after I got my refugium on with all the Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, other macroalgae and Mangroves, that load got cut way back. The fuge also has around 400lbs of sand in it, making for a consistent 8" sand bed.

Additionally, I am working on a 50g estuary tank to further naturally export nutrients. Viewable here.

This brings me to my question: why not ditch the skimmer? Turn it off for a couple weeks and see what happens. In theory, the increased organics will just fuel extra macroalgal growth, and I'll also benefit by no longer skimming out microinvertebrates and the like.

Any comments, questions, concerns are greatly appreciated!

Here's an FTS of the display for a before picture if I do this...

reefgeezer · 01/30/2012, 08:15 PM

I would consider what you'll need when you have a higher bioload. Maybe turn off the skimmer but leave it in place. As you add more life to the tank, it might become more valuable.

IMO, it doesn't hurt to let a skimmer run, but neither does it hurt to turn it off when organic levels are low.

Curl58 · 01/30/2012, 08:16 PM

I don't think I would ever run a tank without a skimmer. Even if I'm getting little out of it, it is junk not floating around in the tank.

csmfish · 01/30/2012, 08:53 PM

I have come to the rational of skim heavy and feed well. If anything, it helps put more oxygen back in the water. You could always get a skimmer rated for 100 gallons or so and see what it does. With all that water surface, I would go slow on the drain into the skimmer chamber and see what happens.

01/30/2012, 07:32 PM	#1
Eel Freak Fimbriated Moray Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Space Coast Posts: 830	Considering ditching my skimmer... Input please! Well. I keep reading the arguments over whether or not a skimmer is doing more harm than good and things of that nature. I have always been a big proponent of skim heavy and skim well. I run an SRO-XP5000e on my 350g system (200g display, 125g fuge, and 55g sump). The thing is a monster and looks downright cool, but, I don't get all that much skim out of it. In all honesty I don't get a whole heck of a lot more than I did when I had my 125g system with an SRO-XP1000SSS on it (volume of skim vs. volume of tank and feeding, etc.) I only have to clean the cup like once a month. I used to clean more often, but after I got my refugium on with all the Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, other macroalgae and Mangroves, that load got cut way back. The fuge also has around 400lbs of sand in it, making for a consistent 8" sand bed. Additionally, I am working on a 50g estuary tank to further naturally export nutrients. Viewable here. This brings me to my question: why not ditch the skimmer? Turn it off for a couple weeks and see what happens. In theory, the increased organics will just fuel extra macroalgal growth, and I'll also benefit by no longer skimming out microinvertebrates and the like. Any comments, questions, concerns are greatly appreciated! Here's an FTS of the display for a before picture if I do this... __________________ I plan to procrastinate. Current Tank Info: 205g Mixed Reef - 3x Radion XR30w Gen 2, twin VorTechs, SRO-XP5000e, 50g estuary, 125g fuge, OM 4-way

01/30/2012, 08:15 PM	#2
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	I would consider what you'll need when you have a higher bioload. Maybe turn off the skimmer but leave it in place. As you add more life to the tank, it might become more valuable. IMO, it doesn't hurt to let a skimmer run, but neither does it hurt to turn it off when organic levels are low. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef

01/30/2012, 08:16 PM	#3
Curl58 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carthage, NC Posts: 87	I don't think I would ever run a tank without a skimmer. Even if I'm getting little out of it, it is junk not floating around in the tank.

01/30/2012, 08:53 PM	#4
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	I have come to the rational of skim heavy and feed well. If anything, it helps put more oxygen back in the water. You could always get a skimmer rated for 100 gallons or so and see what it does. With all that water surface, I would go slow on the drain into the skimmer chamber and see what happens.