How long can you go without skimming?

[bob the builder]

Ok. My sea clone skimmer just broke yesterday. So, i just left the skimmer off. Then, today i bought a very expensive prizm pro skimmer. It took me 45 minutes to set-up, and when i got to the tank, i just noticed that this skimmer is way too big for the SUMP! I cannot put it in the back of the tank, so i will just have to wait until i can reurn this one and get a much smaller one. So, my question is: How long can you go without skimming?
Thanks.

 

[q]

It will vary so just look for the signs of nutrients. Like algea and a film ontop of the water.
I would reduce feeding if you think that you feed heavy. I do and I would have to cut back a fair bit cause I know that the skimmer saves my bacon. Also adding phyto or other food additives will affect the water quality more as the bio filtration will most likely have to beef up a bit.
If you have some water handy for changes and keep an eye on the above I would think you could go for at least two weeks and not skip a beat.
And just to cover myself you can go skimmerless but IMO it would require slightly different habbits and maybe a refugium to have long term success so I give this advice with the knowledge that you want a bandaid until you get your skimmer up. So no flames <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[sprintermike]

the question...
how long can you go without skimming?
the answer...
forever, if you have lots of live rock and a deep sand bed.

 

[lnarobbins]

I don't know about forever. when you skim you are just making the water quality better. you don't NEED one it just makes the tank better
probably most of the people on the forum will agree that it is better to have one than not it is not a matter of life or death of the tank
so IMO DON'T stress out
just my opinion
Alan

 

[pb here]

Well mine went out, well, actually I broke it, but I went without for a several months. Then I got lazy and didn't keep up with my water changes. I have now paid the price with two dead brains and a dying elegance. Needless to say I ordered me a new skimmer(SR2 in sump) and have had it up and running for about two weeks now. This thing works better than the Sea Clone ever did. I'll never go without again.

 

[clownfish_and_bettas]

how much would a skimmer for a ten-twenty gal. tank cost?
and what type should it be. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[dinhouse]

I am at one year and counting. I have never used a skimmer.

 

[pb here]

Beautiful tank DINHOUSE! Is that a 55 gal?

 

[bob the builder]

Thanks everybody. DINHOUSE, that looks just like my tank, exept mine is a lot bigger. But, it has the same shape and same color as mine does. Very nice tank you have, so do you use a refugium?

 

[ryano]

I'm now at 3 years without skimming and maybe 5 water changes. Tank has never looked better. ( now that I beat that aptasia beast)

 

[thehat]

As far as I am concered and have read you don't need a skimmer. Unless you have things that need super clean water. Depends on your fish load too. And if you do weekly water changes. There are alot of factors in having one or not having one. I have one and it works great. My Aenenome and gonipora require really clean water. In my other tank my Angels require really clean water. I would say you will be fine for a while just do a weekly water change syphoning the bottom to get the waste from the bottom.