Is a Skimmer that important?

[tang_man_montreal]

I see some people running with a skimmer, and some that don't.
I have a 90 Gal Reef, 50# LR, 4.5" DSB, 4-5 corals... a yellow tang, a hippo tang, and a longnose hawk, along with some inverts...
Current filter equipment includes a 20 gal sump with wet/dry, and a fluval 403. There is a spraybar on the return from the sump at the top of the tank, and from the fluval along the bottom back of the tank. Lots of water movement provided by 3 powerheads in the tank, one of which is at the top of the water for movement.
I bought this tank used, and the previous owner had not run the skimmer for atleast 6 months.
I've had the tank in my place for over a week now.. hadn't been running the skimmer.. Lastnight, I decided to plug in the skimmer. The airpump it runs off is noisy though, I'd rather leave it off if I can...
Can I run skimmerless? Will it make a difference?

 

[cap'n pete]

I would tell you that only by running your skimmer on your tank for a few weeks will you be able to determine whether you want to go skimmerless or not. If in that time period you have no or very little waste pulled out by the skimmer, then go for it. Don't let a noisy airpump influence your decision. There are plenty of airpumps that are very quiet or yours may just need a new diaphram or the skimmer a new stone.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

There are plenty of airpumps that are very quiet or yours may just need a new diaphram or the skimmer a new stone.
Well, actually,
It's a new pump that I bought just for the skimmer... The reason the skimmer wasn't on before was because the airpump was dead.
I went out and bought a Maxima "R" Air pump.. It's dual outlet, and adjustable air flow.
I find that it's REALLY loud though.
Can anyone suggest an ADJUSTABLE air pump that is REALLY quiet?
Also, I've seen that some people run their skimmers only 12hours a day.. Is this normal or suggested? Or should a skimmer run 24/7?

 

[iechy]

I have had FO tanks in the past without skimmers and wonder now if I would have had more sucess if I had one. This is my first shot at a reef and I have relatively crappy skimmer but after seeing the gunk that it pulls out of the water I'll never again go without one. Just my .02

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Ok, so my skimmer's already picking up some muck...
What about the air pump? Any suggestions for an adjustable quiet pump?
please???

 

[chainsaw5vent]

you don't have to have a skimmer, but it definitely helps you out in keeping the water clear, and allows you to have more livestock in the tank.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Yeah,
My skimmer's skimming crap now... but it's LOUD.
Any quiet adjustable air pump options?

 

[krusk]

I don't know if there is a reliable quite air pump.
But, you can wrap your air pump with a towe/t-shirt and put it in the shoes's box/plastic food contaner. Plastic container is prefered. Poke many holes as needed for power cable, air tube etc on the lid.
It's should help to reduce the noise.

 

[j21kickster]

how old is your air pump? if it is that loud it needs to be fixed or replaced.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

The airpump is brand new... bought it just for this occasion.

 

[j21kickster]

what model is it

 

[tang_man_montreal]

It is a Maxima "R" Air pump.. It's dual outlet, and adjustable air flow.

 

[saltyrich]

There is absolutely no way that I'd have a fairly new reef tank without a skimmer on it. Some very mature tanks reach a point that they don't need them anymore, but you are nowhere near that point yet. Don't be discouraged about the noise. Follow the advice posted, and if all else fails and you still think it's noisy - just relax and think about the health of your precious critters in your tank. Isn't their lives worth a low key sound of a pump?