Skimmerless??

[olsenjb]

I know the majority of you will jump on me for even suggesting this, but I am continually running into individuals who don't ever run skimmers, or if they do, it is only about 2 days a week. I also have read on this forum about a few of you who don't run skimmers on your reef. My question is this: What is the determining factor that allows some to maintain thriving tanks without skimmers, while others swear your tank will never make it without a skimmer?

 

[mlm]

I had a skimmer running for about 4 months and it was never pulling anything out the water and it was noisey so I took it out and it has been 4 months without it without any ill effects. My nitrates are "0"

 

[sylock]

I'm not sure if people are saying that your tank won't make it without a skimmer. I think most say it will be easier to maintain with a skimmer, that's all. The ocean skims, so some people are trying to do that artificially, thus the skimmer.

 

[y2says]

I think it comes down to how many fishes and how much you feed them. Also is the amount of lr and other filtration methods. I don't have a skimmer in any of my tanks and so far so good.

 

[jacksonpt]

Originally posted by Y2SAYS:
<strong>I think it comes down to how many fishes and how much you feed them. Also is the amount of lr and other filtration methods. I don't have a skimmer in any of my tanks and so far so good.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree 100% Totally depends on the comparison between your bioload and biofiltration capabilities. If you're tank is overstocked and over fed, you'll need a skimmer to have any chance. If you're not over stocked and not overfeeding your tank, you can probably get away without a skimmer. I've never used a skimmer, even when I ran CC/UGF, and never had any problems.

 

[byrself]

i just recently removed mine, and am pleased so far. low bioloads and live rock are definitely the keys.

 

[ky]

My tanks run without skimmers. I have an eco-system on each and don't need a skimmer. The manufacturer encourages you not to use one. Along with the skimmer, I have alot of LR in them. My nitrates are 0 and have been for years. All of my stuff is thriving. As a matter of fact, last week I sold about $200.00 worth of stuff back to my LFS because things were looking too crowded.

 

[nacl-h2o]

If you have enough nutrient removing filtration(LR/LS, DSBs, pleniums, refugiums, and/or algae scrubbers) to take care of your load and you won't need one. I've been skimmerless for 3 years now.

 

[nm reef]

I joined the trend to skimmerless several months ago...but I want to add a serious note of caution. I personally believe that a skimmer is a very needed piece of the filtration for a new or establishing reef. The vast majority of hobbiest here are not at the point where removing a skimmer would be practical...and in my opinion it would be rather reckless to suggest "all" reefs could or should go skimmerless.
I removed mine well after my system had been up for a year.....and I had developed adaquate filtration to deal with the absence of the skimmer. I was confident that with a low bio-load...100+ lbs of quality LR...5"-6" active DSB...circulation turning my system over 8-10 times per hr...and a 35 gal refugium I could maintain the balance I had achievied.But...I considered removing the skimmer only after this system was mature & stable...and I was confident in my ability and the ability of my system to maintain that balance!!
Only after a system is mature/stable and has adaquate additional biological filtration should a skimmer be removed. It is a very good way to build and establish any new reef!!
Since going skimmerless I've added to my refugium(currently 50 gal) ... and nitrates have remained zero...everything has remained stable and there have been no noticeable negative impacts...but in all honesty...I believe the origional filtration which included a CPR bacpac 2r skimmer definitely helped me get to this point......and may in fact be a very bemnifical component of any developing reef.

 

[ruaround]

I havent ran a skimmer in 8 years...and dont intend to start now! Im not sayin that they dont serve a purpose, its just that ive had success not using one, my system stay clean. I have thought long and hard about it for my FOWLR, but it is skimmerless as well.

 

[fshhub]

nm said it
they are a great tool and help greatly for a fairly young tank, but NO THEY ARE NOT NEEDED
i do reccommend them, esp to those who question the need, or are starting out, but with time and experience, yes it can be done without toomany hardships

 

[new]

i run an ecosystem 60 on my 75gal reef which is a skimmerless system. my tank is new and was so skeptical about the skimmer issue that i just bought a kent marine nautilus to have in the sump i am adding this weekend, another story , got home with the equipment today and low and behold surface is almost clear as a bell. i wont be returning the skimmer so if i need it i have it, also planning on setting up a larger tank and not sure if i want to go mud syatem or not

 

[b.b.bigbrother]

I have low bio load, 55gal seaclone skimmer and i'm thinking of putting it on a timmer and only running it at night. <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[catera]

b.b.bigbrother just wanted to say whats up noticed you live in tewksbury. i live in lowell right on 38. just nice to see someone from the area. noticed you like flames. i have one in my tank.

 

[b.b.bigbrother]

Cool someone from my area know any good fish store besides textile,discount,pjs,sw? I live on south st.

 

[wrassecal]

So how would you know when it was safe to take your skimmer off? Would it stop producing gunk? Keep it a year then try your luck w/o it?