No skimmer for 2.5 months

aggie13reef · 07/18/2014, 09:16 AM

After my next pay check I plan on purchasing a reef octopus bh100. I was completely new to the hobby when I started the tank and didn't have a clue what a protein skimmer was. My question being has there been any damage done to my system for having no skimmer for 2.5 months?

whosurcaddie · 07/18/2014, 09:21 AM

How large is your system and how much water have you been changing.

I see it in your sig. You will be fine when you get the new skimmer it will probably pull out a lot of stuff. Until then I would do a 50% water change and run some carbon if you have that option.

thegrun · 07/18/2014, 09:23 AM

What are your water parameters, particularly nitrates? No matter what they are any problems can be corrected.

UMass14 · 07/18/2014, 09:47 AM

I had my tank running for 4 months without a skimmer. If you practice good husbandry you can be successful without a skimmer. When you do get your skimmer, you will be surprised what gunk it pulls out. Good luck!

Dmorty217 · 07/18/2014, 10:19 AM

My buddy has a 375g that he had running for 7 yrs without a skimmer and the tank is full of SPS. It can be done, it's just more work without one. You haven't done any damage to your tank without one. If you had one on your tank for yrs and then took it off for a few months then you could have damage... You are fine though

aggie13reef · 07/18/2014, 10:34 PM

Thanks for all the feedback guys! All my params have been good (Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, pH 8.1) except I think nitrates have been high between 20-50 mg/L (Nutrafin test kind of hard to read). I have done 15% water changes every 4 weeks since Ive had the tank.

billdogg · 07/19/2014, 06:12 AM

No worries! my 60g cube made it ~22 years without a skimmer, and in fact did just fine using a (gasp) dual biowheel HOB filter and a canister.

07/18/2014, 09:16 AM	#1
aggie13reef Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rosenberg, TX Posts: 449	No skimmer for 2.5 months After my next pay check I plan on purchasing a reef octopus bh100. I was completely new to the hobby when I started the tank and didn't have a clue what a protein skimmer was. My question being has there been any damage done to my system for having no skimmer for 2.5 months? __________________ -Nick 65 gal DSA

07/18/2014, 10:19 AM	#5
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	My buddy has a 375g that he had running for 7 yrs without a skimmer and the tank is full of SPS. It can be done, it's just more work without one. You haven't done any damage to your tank without one. If you had one on your tank for yrs and then took it off for a few months then you could have damage... You are fine though __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

07/18/2014, 10:34 PM	#6
aggie13reef Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rosenberg, TX Posts: 449	Thanks for all the feedback guys! All my params have been good (Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, pH 8.1) except I think nitrates have been high between 20-50 mg/L (Nutrafin test kind of hard to read). I have done 15% water changes every 4 weeks since Ive had the tank. __________________ -Nick 65 gal DSA

07/19/2014, 06:12 AM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	No worries! my 60g cube made it ~22 years without a skimmer, and in fact did just fine using a (gasp) dual biowheel HOB filter and a canister. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/18/2014, 09:21 AM	#2
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	How large is your system and how much water have you been changing. I see it in your sig. You will be fine when you get the new skimmer it will probably pull out a lot of stuff. Until then I would do a 50% water change and run some carbon if you have that option.

07/18/2014, 09:23 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	What are your water parameters, particularly nitrates? No matter what they are any problems can be corrected.

07/18/2014, 09:47 AM	#4
UMass14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SO CAL Posts: 197	I had my tank running for 4 months without a skimmer. If you practice good husbandry you can be successful without a skimmer. When you do get your skimmer, you will be surprised what gunk it pulls out. Good luck!