How long without skimmer

[chinnyr]

Well,I got home from work about an hour ago and came home to a broken stupid Prizm skimmer.It was running without and water returning to the tank.The seal for the housing around the motor is leaking.I have taken it apart a half dozen times to stop it....no avail!How long can I run the tank without the skimmer going?I guess I have been looking for an excuse to get a better/another skimmer,and here it lies.Only I don't have alot of cash to drop for a new one,especially at the lfs.I can't rig it to catch the water dripping because it is in a tight spot.So,I will have to wait till tomorrow to replace it.

 

[nerdy]

I have had mine down as long as a week without much problems. The water went a little yellow though.

 

[chinnyr]

Thanks for the reply!I was just worried about my corals.I have still got water circulation though.

 

[jja]

If it makes you feel any better, I don't have one and just do 10% water changes once a week. I don't have quite as many corals as you and I know it is unconventional but all mine are thriving and growing. Maybe make more frequent water changes until you can get a new one. My tank has been running this way for about a year and a half.

 

[ags]

my skimmer's cord melted in the socket and I was without for over a month. No adverse effects. Just as jja said I did more frequent water changes and watched the tank more closely for adverse reactions. My hammer always lets me know when my water parameters are headed south and when it wasn't open fully like normal I knew something was up. Some people on this sight don't have a skimmer at all.

 

[thomas712]

Originally posted by jja
If it makes you feel any better, I don't have one and just do 10% water changes once a week.
I'm with jja on this one. I have a 55 (8 years) that has never had a skimmer on it, good circulation, carbon24/7, chemi pure, and water changes.
So to answer your question you don't have to have one you just have to juggle differently.
Thomas