To skim or not to skim?

Bous · 12/05/2006, 09:14 PM

I just built a 65 gallon refugium and it has been up and running for about two months for my 125 gallon reef tank. Is it still necessary to use a skimmer?

Jim_S · 12/05/2006, 09:20 PM

I run both on my 125. They compete with each other, which is fine IMO, I just want the best end results for my livestock.

I wouldn't say that you "need" one. But IME it won't hurt to run one.

Jim

angelopasto · 12/05/2006, 09:29 PM

If you visit the GARF site you will see that they recommend not running a skimmer for the few first months, then adding a skimmer to make sure the water is clean - but it all depends on the load!

UCanDoIt · 12/05/2006, 10:33 PM

I highly recommend a skimmer. Do both is the best scenario.

Ti · 12/05/2006, 11:11 PM

skim it

jeffbrig · 12/06/2006, 12:25 AM

A skimmer is a huge benefit by allowing you some margin of error when things go wrong.

psimitry · 12/06/2006, 05:01 AM

Hell yes, skim. Just make sure that in the return sequence in your sump that you aren't skimming out the good stuff that a 'fuge puts in the water.

So like: Skimmer -> Fuge -> Return

Or like I'm about to have: Skimmer -> Return <- Fuge

Snowreefer · 12/06/2006, 05:57 AM

Just depends on how often you like doing water changes. No skimmer = more frequent water changes and on a tank that big that could be a pain in the butt.

dukes707 · 12/06/2006, 07:12 AM

i have heard of skimless reefs. i am not confident enough in other means of filtration not to skim. from what i hear your fuge better be at leaste half the size of your display to even come close to the amount of accessory filtration you will need to export the junk in your tank. it can be done, but i think your husbandry will be compounded that much more if you dont skim. its possible, but i wouldnt do it. -Francis

Bous · 12/06/2006, 07:51 AM

Thanks for all the input. I think that I will set up my skimmer right before the refugium.

dukes707 · 12/06/2006, 08:04 AM

you dont want to skim the water that goes into your fuge. it wont give your fuge a chance to do its job. raw tank water goes into the fuge all the rest should be plumbed into your sump directly. hope this helps. -Francis

UCanDoIt · 12/06/2006, 11:05 AM

I would get a good skimmer to protect your investment.

hernluis · 12/06/2006, 12:28 PM

probably best to skim in the long run, trust me

12/05/2006, 09:14 PM	#1
Bous Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Paul Park, MN Posts: 75	To skim or not to skim? I just built a 65 gallon refugium and it has been up and running for about two months for my 125 gallon reef tank. Is it still necessary to use a skimmer? __________________ I would consider selling a kidney to finance my reef addiction. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon reef tank, 65 gallon refugium, MRC 3 skimmer

12/05/2006, 09:20 PM	#2
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	I run both on my 125. They compete with each other, which is fine IMO, I just want the best end results for my livestock. I wouldn't say that you "need" one. But IME it won't hurt to run one. Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

12/05/2006, 11:11 PM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	skim it __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

12/06/2006, 12:25 AM	#6
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	A skimmer is a huge benefit by allowing you some margin of error when things go wrong. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

12/06/2006, 05:57 AM	#8
Snowreefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nutley, New Jersey Posts: 89	Just depends on how often you like doing water changes. No skimmer = more frequent water changes and on a tank that big that could be a pain in the butt. __________________ [url]http://www.americanminutemen.org/index.htm[/url] Current Tank Info: 29 gallon reef tank, 20 gallonReef tank, 25 gallon Prop system

12/05/2006, 09:29 PM	#3
angelopasto Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 193	If you visit the GARF site you will see that they recommend not running a skimmer for the few first months, then adding a skimmer to make sure the water is clean - but it all depends on the load!

12/05/2006, 10:33 PM	#4
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	I highly recommend a skimmer. Do both is the best scenario.

12/06/2006, 05:01 AM	#7
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Hell yes, skim. Just make sure that in the return sequence in your sump that you aren't skimming out the good stuff that a 'fuge puts in the water. So like: Skimmer -> Fuge -> Return Or like I'm about to have: Skimmer -> Return <- Fuge

12/06/2006, 07:12 AM	#9
dukes707 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: vallejo/707, cali Posts: 363	i have heard of skimless reefs. i am not confident enough in other means of filtration not to skim. from what i hear your fuge better be at leaste half the size of your display to even come close to the amount of accessory filtration you will need to export the junk in your tank. it can be done, but i think your husbandry will be compounded that much more if you dont skim. its possible, but i wouldnt do it. -Francis __________________ helping to save the reefs one coral at a time Current Tank Info: 90g in progress again...

12/06/2006, 07:51 AM	#10
Bous Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Paul Park, MN Posts: 75	Thanks for all the input. I think that I will set up my skimmer right before the refugium. __________________ I would consider selling a kidney to finance my reef addiction. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon reef tank, 65 gallon refugium, MRC 3 skimmer

12/06/2006, 08:04 AM	#11
dukes707 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: vallejo/707, cali Posts: 363	you dont want to skim the water that goes into your fuge. it wont give your fuge a chance to do its job. raw tank water goes into the fuge all the rest should be plumbed into your sump directly. hope this helps. -Francis __________________ helping to save the reefs one coral at a time Current Tank Info: 90g in progress again...

12/06/2006, 11:05 AM	#12
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	I would get a good skimmer to protect your investment.

12/06/2006, 12:28 PM	#13
hernluis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 177	probably best to skim in the long run, trust me