How long can you go without a skimmer

jk1nole · 12/20/2009, 10:39 PM

Ugh... so if it is not one thing it is another. After solving one issue tonight I found out that my skimmer is not working.

The seal broke at the base of the cup. I have fixed it before, but now it is time to get a new one. I had planning on replacing it anyway, but I leave for vacation for 4 days on Wednesday and I am not sure I feel comfortable leaving a new skimmer running wondering if it stays dialed in correctly. Not too mention I plan on putting a new sump in when I get back too. The current sump may not big enough for the in sump Octopus that I want.

My question... Can I go a week without skimming? Or is it necessary that I get one installed before I leave? I just did a 20% water change tonight. I leave Wednesday and come back next Sunday night. I have a semi experienced friend watching my tank while I am gone.

My tank is 65 gallons... has 3 fish, inverts, and a few frags.

-Pixie- · 12/20/2009, 10:53 PM

If it has not been running for ahwile you should never need to put it back on, depending on the age of your tank, and the amount of LR filtration critters etc, you dont need one.

I dont run a skimmer, and never have, i have never had a problem ever, and my tank is probally overstocked as it is, not saying i dont have problems, but it is never anything a skimmer would stop/solve. The most respected LFS in my area does not run a skimmer in any tank (over 70 Marine tanks).

Despite what people will tell you a skimmer is never needed, unless they dont have correct procedures.

The more natural filtration your tank has the less need for it.

Do you see a 5km wide skimmer sitting in the middle of a natural reef?

Look up on some articles relating to miracle mud

One of the worlds most respected reefers will also tell you the same thing.

I know ive provoked a war here, but hey like i said where's the skimmer in the ocean?

Ill say it again Miracle mud replaces the need of a skimmer .

-Pixie- · 12/20/2009, 10:56 PM

Also i have just set up a 55g for my partner, she runs no skimmer, no issues!

And as long as im around she never will.

Also many dvd's and books available on the "eco smart system skimmer less"

insane · 12/20/2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Pixie-

Do you see a 5km wide skimmer sitting in the middle of a natural reef?

I know ive provoked a war here, but hey like i said where's the skimmer in the ocean?

Not a war but I will tell you were to find the oceans protein skimmer.

Go to a shoreline and look down and you will see the foam made up of proteins. Just because you don't see a giant acrylic cylinder sticking up out of the ocean, that doesn't mean the ocean doesn't remove proteins.

Since we can't have all of the wave action of an ocean in our tanks, we have to have other means to perform the same task of oxygenating the water which causes proteins to stick to the bubbles.

If you want to know where the oceans Algae Turf Scrubbers are, go to a rocky shoreline and look at the algae covered rocks.

The ocean also has a mechanical filter. Sand.

bertoni · 12/20/2009, 11:28 PM

Many people run tanks without skimmers, period.

bhammer · 12/20/2009, 11:42 PM

+1 ^^^^

I happen to have one now but wen I first started in this hobby, there were no such things for us.

ZCCRX · 12/20/2009, 11:52 PM

I suppose you could run your reef tank without a skimmer, but the amount of scum my skimmer removes every day makes me glad to have one for sure. In my opinion, my tank is much better for having one.

sedor · 12/21/2009, 12:09 AM

I'm with insane on this one. Our man-made skimmers are just our answer to what the ocean naturally does. Yes a tank can easily be run without a skimmer. Unless at the hands of an expert they generally will have nitrate problems though. Lets face it, the extra filtration ain't a bad thing

Oh, and yes you should be fine without running it for a week. Make sure you leave the top open or something to allow the water to aerate and you should be fine.

-Pixie- · 12/21/2009, 12:28 AM

Lol yes waves skim excess nutrients etc etc to sand, then it rains or sand erodes, or we excavate that sand and it all ends up back in there eventually. It only needs one high tide to stick it all back where it come from.

Have a read up on ecosmart systems it will answer any doubt you have.

Note taken that a skimmer is beneficial still.

-Pixie- · 12/21/2009, 12:34 AM

Also with the correct additions to your tank, many other ways to do the same job as a skimmer but with less risk.

Still note taken that a skimmer is beneficial, but definately unecessary.

And your tank is only cleaner, not *better*

Misterchinn · 12/21/2009, 12:36 AM

I think oceans have a little bit of LR and a built in refugium as well. Out here in California we call them kelp beds.

I'm a noob myself, but I would say if your fishsitter doesn't feed that much the week you're gone and you do another water change Wednesday just to be safe, you should be fine with out a skimmer.

12/20/2009, 10:39 PM	#1
jk1nole Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 211	How long can you go without a skimmer Ugh... so if it is not one thing it is another. After solving one issue tonight I found out that my skimmer is not working. The seal broke at the base of the cup. I have fixed it before, but now it is time to get a new one. I had planning on replacing it anyway, but I leave for vacation for 4 days on Wednesday and I am not sure I feel comfortable leaving a new skimmer running wondering if it stays dialed in correctly. Not too mention I plan on putting a new sump in when I get back too. The current sump may not big enough for the in sump Octopus that I want. My question... Can I go a week without skimming? Or is it necessary that I get one installed before I leave? I just did a 20% water change tonight. I leave Wednesday and come back next Sunday night. I have a semi experienced friend watching my tank while I am gone. My tank is 65 gallons... has 3 fish, inverts, and a few frags.

12/20/2009, 11:28 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Many people run tanks without skimmers, period. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/21/2009, 12:09 AM	#8
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I'm with insane on this one. Our man-made skimmers are just our answer to what the ocean naturally does. Yes a tank can easily be run without a skimmer. Unless at the hands of an expert they generally will have nitrate problems though. Lets face it, the extra filtration ain't a bad thing Oh, and yes you should be fine without running it for a week. Make sure you leave the top open or something to allow the water to aerate and you should be fine. __________________ Ryan Last edited by sedor; 12/21/2009 at 12:09 AM. Reason: Rambled off topic

12/20/2009, 10:53 PM	#2
-Pixie- Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Australia, sunny coast Posts: 192	If it has not been running for ahwile you should never need to put it back on, depending on the age of your tank, and the amount of LR filtration critters etc, you dont need one. I dont run a skimmer, and never have, i have never had a problem ever, and my tank is probally overstocked as it is, not saying i dont have problems, but it is never anything a skimmer would stop/solve. The most respected LFS in my area does not run a skimmer in any tank (over 70 Marine tanks). Despite what people will tell you a skimmer is never needed, unless they dont have correct procedures. The more natural filtration your tank has the less need for it. Do you see a 5km wide skimmer sitting in the middle of a natural reef? Look up on some articles relating to miracle mud One of the worlds most respected reefers will also tell you the same thing. I know ive provoked a war here, but hey like i said where's the skimmer in the ocean? Ill say it again Miracle mud replaces the need of a skimmer .

12/20/2009, 10:56 PM	#3
-Pixie- Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Australia, sunny coast Posts: 192	Also i have just set up a 55g for my partner, she runs no skimmer, no issues! And as long as im around she never will. Also many dvd's and books available on the "eco smart system skimmer less"

12/20/2009, 11:42 PM	#6
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	+1 ^^^^ I happen to have one now but wen I first started in this hobby, there were no such things for us.

12/20/2009, 11:52 PM	#7
ZCCRX Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 71	I suppose you could run your reef tank without a skimmer, but the amount of scum my skimmer removes every day makes me glad to have one for sure. In my opinion, my tank is much better for having one.

12/21/2009, 12:28 AM	#9
-Pixie- Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Australia, sunny coast Posts: 192	Lol yes waves skim excess nutrients etc etc to sand, then it rains or sand erodes, or we excavate that sand and it all ends up back in there eventually. It only needs one high tide to stick it all back where it come from. Have a read up on ecosmart systems it will answer any doubt you have. Note taken that a skimmer is beneficial still.

12/21/2009, 12:34 AM	#10
-Pixie- Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Australia, sunny coast Posts: 192	Also with the correct additions to your tank, many other ways to do the same job as a skimmer but with less risk. Still note taken that a skimmer is beneficial, but definately unecessary. And your tank is only cleaner, not better

12/21/2009, 12:36 AM	#11
Misterchinn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 84	I think oceans have a little bit of LR and a built in refugium as well. Out here in California we call them kelp beds. I'm a noob myself, but I would say if your fishsitter doesn't feed that much the week you're gone and you do another water change Wednesday just to be safe, you should be fine with out a skimmer.