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Unread 09/07/2012, 11:00 AM   #1
greenvillecoins
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skimmer or no skimmer

i stop my skimmer the other day,,, wondering since ive added like six clams 3 big and 3 small cherry stone and a oyster, should i turn my skimmer back on? when it was on it would fill up onece a day with dreen slime,,,, i dont want to hurt anything,,,just figured the shell fish would be better with out it????????????? thanks so much ken


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Unread 09/07/2012, 12:20 PM   #2
Realposition
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would probably need a little more info, if your having excess nutrients then i would run it. if you have a refugium or something else keeping nutrients in check then you may be able to get away without it.


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Unread 09/07/2012, 12:48 PM   #3
greenvillecoins
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tank

[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Picture 014.jpg

Picture 143.jpg

Picture 145.jpg

Picture 142.jpg

Picture 012.jpg[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]all i have is a magnum 350 filter cannister, its a 55 with alot of corals...


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Unread 09/07/2012, 12:53 PM   #4
greenvillecoins
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why did this happen

i feed the tank with ground squid,shrimp,oyster,clam,scalops,,,,,, and the rug type carol dot a big chunk of the stuff and this mornning it has a air buble under it? never done that before should i pop it??? im lost thanks ken







Picture 158.jpg


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Unread 09/07/2012, 01:03 PM   #5
gweston
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If you can keep params in check without the skimmer and with water changes alone. Then you are fine. If not, then add a skimmer. For me, I find a skimmer invaluable. The amount of gunk it pulls out is shocking. Without the skimmer it just stays in the system until it breaks down enough to come out as nitrates via fuge growth or changes. With more sensitive corals and critters water params become quite important. Ultimately... do what works best for you. I skim. I change water weekly and have a fuge. I may remove my filter socks. Tried that for a few months and seems to boost nitrates without frequent cleaning. I'd rather siphon detritus from a sump than change socks every few days.

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Unread 09/07/2012, 02:15 PM   #6
greenvillecoins
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i just hooked the skimmer up about 2 hours ago and its half full with green slime...is this good? or if i disconnect it the slime will feed the stuff i have in the tank?


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Unread 09/07/2012, 02:31 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gweston View Post
If you can keep params in check without the skimmer and with water changes alone. Then you are fine. If not, then add a skimmer. For me, I find a skimmer invaluable. The amount of gunk it pulls out is shocking. Without the skimmer it just stays in the system until it breaks down enough to come out as nitrates via fuge growth or changes. With more sensitive corals and critters water params become quite important. Ultimately... do what works best for you. I skim. I change water weekly and have a fuge. I may remove my filter socks. Tried that for a few months and seems to boost nitrates without frequent cleaning. I'd rather siphon detritus from a sump than change socks every few days.

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Sorry to hijack this thread, but how do you siphon from your sump?

I always run a skimmer. Even now when I do automatic daily water changes, my skimmer rarely has anything in it. But on two occasions in the past 6 months, my skimmer went crazy for a couple of hours. I always run it as a backup.

Alex


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Unread 09/07/2012, 02:35 PM   #8
worm5406
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Quote:
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i just hooked the skimmer up about 2 hours ago and its half full with green slime...is this good? or if i disconnect it the slime will feed the stuff i have in the tank?
Try raising the cup a little bit... Is it green, dark green, or paste?

Skimmer setup is fine tuning where the bubbles break over the cup and let in the stronger skimmed. As the bubbles pop it sinks back to the next bubble getting stronger and stronger...

This is the real stuff to get... Otherwise you will be emptying it every few minutes.


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Unread 09/07/2012, 02:57 PM   #9
greenvillecoins
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its like thick light green, and slimy as anything....


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Unread 09/07/2012, 05:18 PM   #10
thegrun
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Sorry to hijack this thread, but how do you siphon from your sump?


Alex
I use a wet/dry vacuum. Home Depot sells one that fits on top of a 5 gallon bucket for about $20.00.


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Unread 09/07/2012, 11:45 PM   #11
MARINECRITTERS
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The issue is a skimmer oxygenates the water, without it you may have some issues especially if you does kalk.

I can imagine the clams getting more food without the skimmer but if you are not doing weekly water changes your tank will become a nutrient factory.

I say run your skimmer and give your clams adequate amounts of food.


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Unread 09/08/2012, 09:04 AM   #12
swcc
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based on the condition of your rocks...you need to skim...more.


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Unread 09/09/2012, 02:22 PM   #13
greenvillecoins
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whats wrong with the rocks? i thought they looked healthy???


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Unread 09/09/2012, 02:35 PM   #14
Mavrk
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Run the skimmer. You can see that there are enough nutrients to grow algae (back of tank and rocks). So your clams will be fine. If you did not own one, then I would have more questions before recommending getting one. But I probably would still recommend it.

You could always put it on a timer to not run all the time and/or turn it off during feeding. But I just run mine all the time and turn my pumps down when feeding.


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Unread 09/09/2012, 02:45 PM   #15
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whats wrong with the rocks? i thought they looked healthy???
they shouldn't be covered in green algae like that.. and your skimmer quickly filling with "green" slime is showing you have quite a bit of an algae issue.

keep skimming..


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Unread 09/10/2012, 04:14 AM   #16
greenvillecoins
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?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mavrk View Post
Run the skimmer. You can see that there are enough nutrients to grow algae (back of tank and rocks). So your clams will be fine. If you did not own one, then I would have more questions before recommending getting one. But I probably would still recommend it.

You could always put it on a timer to not run all the time and/or turn it off during feeding. But I just run mine all the time and turn my pumps down when feeding.
you turn your pumps down? are you talking about your power heads of filter pumps? and yeah i do fight algie all the time its all over the place i have to use a zazor blade on the front to keep it clean,,,stinks,,,,,


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Unread 09/10/2012, 06:58 AM   #17
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and yeah i do fight algie all the time its all over the place i have to use a zazor blade on the front to keep it clean,,,stinks,,,,,
Do you use RODI water? for water changes and top offs?


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Unread 09/10/2012, 10:55 AM   #18
greenvillecoins
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no i dont still allitle confused on what type of water that is? i just dont understand sorry normally use tap water with dechrorinatore in it..


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Unread 09/10/2012, 11:07 AM   #19
latinyoungn
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I've had my 75 gal FOWLR without a skimmer for 8 months and have no problems with parameters.


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Unread 09/10/2012, 01:56 PM   #20
mcgyvr
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no i dont still allitle confused on what type of water that is? i just dont understand sorry normally use tap water with dechrorinatore in it..
http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/rodi-faq


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