Contemplating a Skimmerless Tank

[albert_dao]

I would only consider this only for mature systems with lots of biological transport methods.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

What do you consider a mature system?

[albert_dao]

In the most literal sense? Hmm, I'd say one that can keep a Powder Blue Tang, or something of equivalent difficulty (Regal Angel, Anthias, SPS, Clams, that kinda stuff) alive without a huge amount of user intervention, all matters taken into account (size of tank, style of tank, etc).

Also, a tank that can hold its own against problem algaes gets a vote in my book.

[Carrera75]

I have been running my tank without a skimmer for almost 9 months. There was some Red Turf algae growing but that algae came on a piece of liverock that I bought. The algae went away after I used Chemiclean and never came back. All I have is a heater, powerhead in the tank.

I do weekly water changes and feed the fish very little. All my fish and corals have been doing very well.

[michika]

Originally Posted by yvr75

I have been running my tank without a skimmer for almost 9 months. There was some Red Turf algae growing but that algae came on a piece of liverock that I bought. The algae went away after I used Chemiclean and never came back. All I have is a heater, powerhead in the tank.

I do weekly water changes and feed the fish very little. All my fish and corals have been doing very well.

I think your system looks really good!
How old is your system? Do you use any additives?
Did you run a skimmer before, or have you always run skimmerless? Any differences that you saw in the beginning, or later on, assuming you ran a skimmer at one point?
What kind of growth do you see in your system?

[Carrera75]

Originally Posted by michika

I think your system looks really good!
How old is your system? Do you use any additives?
Did you run a skimmer before, or have you always run skimmerless? Any differences that you saw in the beginning, or later on, assuming you ran a skimmer at one point?
What kind of growth do you see in your system?

Thanks for your positive comments.
I have never used a skimmer. The first tank I set up was a 29 gallon in December 2006. Then I decided that I wanted a bigger tank and upgraded to a 50 gallon.

Both tanks have been running without a skimmer since day 1. The tank get some Diatoms but I believe this is the result of using tap water. Yes, you are reading well. I have used tap water since day one and so far no problems. I use IO salt and don't add any additives, just do weekly water changes. I have been thinking about buying a Deltec 600 (skimmer) just in case it is needed.

Here the tank specs:

50 gallon tank
2X150 HQI + 2X39 T5
1 Hydor Koralia #2
100 watt heater

That's all the equipment that I have been using since I set up this tank.
Let me know if you have any more questions.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

yvr...nice! I see it's full of LPS and Soft corals, as is mine. My system is 13 months old and I've been skimmerless for two, like I said before. My corals have looked much better since I took the skimmer out.

The only thing I add is Kent Turbo Calcium and Kent Superbuffer dKH. I feed nightly and use RO store bought water.

I'll try to get a pic sometime soon, too

[TeknoPunk]

Originally Posted by yvr75

Thanks for your positive comments.
I have never used a skimmer. The first tank I set up was a 29 gallon in December 2006. Then I decided that I wanted a bigger tank and upgraded to a 50 gallon.

Both tanks have been running without a skimmer since day 1. The tank get some Diatoms but I believe this is the result of using tap water. Yes, you are reading well. I have used tap water since day one and so far no problems. I use IO salt and don't add any additives, just do weekly water changes. I have been thinking about buying a Deltec 600 (skimmer) just in case it is needed.

Here the tank specs:

50 gallon tank
2X150 HQI + 2X39 T5
1 Hydor Koralia #2
100 watt heater

That's all the equipment that I have been using since I set up this tank.
Let me know if you have any more questions.

Similar to me. I have never used a skimmer and haven't had any problems either. I do have one but it is not in use... all I have it doing is helping circulate the water. my tank has been running for a year now.

to be honest I would use my skimmer for what it is suppossed to be used for but I can't figure out how to get it to work properly