Up The Aquarium, Without A Skimmer - Page 2

karlyhui · 07/21/2007, 10:45 PM

Hi

I don't have a skimmer and don't what it is, but learning about it.

I have a tank with only fish and live rock, is it necessary?

Currently have 6 clowns and a blue tang and around 50 pounds of LR in 120 gallon. Planning to get a flame angel.

If I was to add one what brand is recommended for a 120 gallon? Not a expensive one. I do have a Ehiem can running.

thank you

beaupierce · 07/21/2007, 11:29 PM

I would say it depends. First off, is it a fish only system?? Then about 50/50 If reef, then HELL YEAH!!!!!! I would only recommend Euro-reef too. I have had issues with other companies, but they are the best.
So, spend the money and do it right the 1st time!

aquarius77 · 07/22/2007, 01:39 AM

I run junk undersized skimmers on both my tanks and they both look awesome. I might get a cup full of skim in a week or so on one and it has never been full on the other.

Makes me wonder what the skimmate actually contains. I areate my new saltwater as i mix it and i get brown sludge from the foam created by the areation, in newly mixed saltwater?

I still run them because its common practice to skim your tank. When i started i thought i HAD to have the badest skimmer on the market that i could jam in my available sump space, but money is tight, so that never happened. I have 50 bucks wrapped up in 2 skimmers and im content, my tanks test good, look good and grow good with the junk i have and regular water changes.

mhhauser321 · 07/22/2007, 09:40 PM

karlyhui if you are going to go to a reef system definitely get a skimmer other wise its totally up to you.

Who else has a opinion on this topic

oscarslr · 07/22/2007, 11:59 PM

A "1" its simple and will help clean more crap than you think

kysard1 · 07/23/2007, 04:00 PM

I had a tank set of for 2 years with no skimmer. It was full of fast growing softies and LPS. It was 38 gallons with 1 clownfish and a huge HOB refugium with caulapera. Algae was never a problem and the corals literally overgrew the tank. It was also loaded with pods, worms, and plankton that would normally be destroyed by a skimmer. The tank had a high turnover rate (flow) and not a single water change.

6 years after I sold that tank due to a relo, I have started a new tank. I am struggling with my new tank ( it has a skimmer and sump). The skimmer is constantly acting up, from spewing mini-bubbles to overflowing.

I am not saying skimmers are bad, just that it is possible to run successfully without one.

07/22/2007, 09:40 PM	#29
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	karlyhui if you are going to go to a reef system definitely get a skimmer other wise its totally up to you. Who else has a opinion on this topic __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

07/22/2007, 11:59 PM	#30
oscarslr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 782	A "1" its simple and will help clean more crap than you think __________________ Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Aristotle Current Tank Info: 225g All Starphire tank/ SPS dominated 4 mp40s ATB 1050A 8 60w T5

07/21/2007, 10:45 PM	#26
karlyhui Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 157	Hi I don't have a skimmer and don't what it is, but learning about it. I have a tank with only fish and live rock, is it necessary? Currently have 6 clowns and a blue tang and around 50 pounds of LR in 120 gallon. Planning to get a flame angel. If I was to add one what brand is recommended for a 120 gallon? Not a expensive one. I do have a Ehiem can running. thank you

07/21/2007, 11:29 PM	#27
beaupierce Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nipomo, CA Posts: 419	I would say it depends. First off, is it a fish only system?? Then about 50/50 If reef, then HELL YEAH!!!!!! I would only recommend Euro-reef too. I have had issues with other companies, but they are the best. So, spend the money and do it right the 1st time!

07/22/2007, 01:39 AM	#28
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	I run junk undersized skimmers on both my tanks and they both look awesome. I might get a cup full of skim in a week or so on one and it has never been full on the other. Makes me wonder what the skimmate actually contains. I areate my new saltwater as i mix it and i get brown sludge from the foam created by the areation, in newly mixed saltwater? I still run them because its common practice to skim your tank. When i started i thought i HAD to have the badest skimmer on the market that i could jam in my available sump space, but money is tight, so that never happened. I have 50 bucks wrapped up in 2 skimmers and im content, my tanks test good, look good and grow good with the junk i have and regular water changes.

07/23/2007, 04:00 PM	#31
kysard1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SE PA Posts: 827	I had a tank set of for 2 years with no skimmer. It was full of fast growing softies and LPS. It was 38 gallons with 1 clownfish and a huge HOB refugium with caulapera. Algae was never a problem and the corals literally overgrew the tank. It was also loaded with pods, worms, and plankton that would normally be destroyed by a skimmer. The tank had a high turnover rate (flow) and not a single water change. 6 years after I sold that tank due to a relo, I have started a new tank. I am struggling with my new tank ( it has a skimmer and sump). The skimmer is constantly acting up, from spewing mini-bubbles to overflowing. I am not saying skimmers are bad, just that it is possible to run successfully without one.