No simmer, on ANY tanks! I had my 75g for 2 years, no skimmer, once a month water changes, never any issues with spikes or deaths of fish or coral, was running 2 330 bio-wheeel filters, good sand bed, live rock, assorted coral, and a couple power head,
Currently have a 110g, running an Eheim 2229 wet/dry canister, uv in-line, and a Eheim hobby pump for my water circulation/flow. Good sand bed, although planning to add more live rock in a few weeks. I change 8 gallons out weekly, if I have the time & remember. No spikes or any elevated levels as or yet. Plan on stocking coral soon, when my new lighting system gets here, which should be here today!
Also running a 16g bow front nano, with a Eheim Ecco canister filter, again, good sand bed, could use a little more live rock though. Change about a gallon or two every week, water has always been perfect in that tank, assorted corals.
Then running a 39g 'northern' saltwater tank, again with an Eheim Ecco canister filter. Good sand bed, took sand from the ocean. Random rocks & structures, again, no issues with spikes or levels. Take a few gallons in/out every couple weeks. Top bioload is in the summer, tank is full or grass shrimp for food, small rock bass, monk fish, chubs, flouders, spider crabs, scallops, etc. It is a fun tank in the summers, gets a lot of attention from people for a smaller tank!
Now the reason I do not have a skimmer is because I do not have any sumps in these systems, all canister filters. I do not want to deal with any possibly overflow issues with all the hardwood floors. I like the looks of a 'clean' tank so I like to minimize the 'hang-on's' as well. I did concider a skimmer for the 110g, but have not made the jump yet. I ordered a special intake from Eheim that pulls water from the bottom normally and has a small intake for pulling water from the surface just to get rid of any film, should be here Monday.
I have been successful without one so far, and if it is not broke, don't fix it!
