to skim or not to skim

[tt101]

being totally new to the hobby i keep hearing opinions from both side of the fence...some even claim that protein skimming removes useful nutrients from the water is that true? does that effect how often water changes need to be done?

[subman]

I heard that stuff to when I started in the hobby. I don't care how good your skimmer is there is still massive nutrients in your water. plus dumping a full cup of stinky, sticky goo is satisfying! lol.

can you keep a great tank without a skimmer? sure
Is it easier to do with one? absolutely

[doch]

Originally Posted by subman

can you keep a great tank without a skimmer? sure
Is it easier to do with one? absolutely

+1

[Bblinks]

If budget is an issue then try without, but if you have the means to get a skimmer then use the technology. It will save you a lot of headaches. Why mess with something that has proven track record.

[Edmonton newbie]

i run a useless prism skimmer on my 29gal tank, run it full bore and never get any skimmate but it does keep oxygen in the water for my fishies, my 50 gal has only a turf scrubber in the sump, no skimmer at all, so far i have had great luck keeping the big 3 undetectable in the tank and my sps is growing, 70 gal total volume and only a 10 gal waterchange every month or so

[Snaz]

Running without a skimmer is easier than running with one. With a skimmer you have to constantly monitor SG and top of with mixed water. Overflows, too watery, dialing in etc. yuck.

A refugium and weekly 10% water change is all I need.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Snaz

Running without a skimmer is easier than running with one. With a skimmer you have to constantly monitor SG and top of with mixed water. Overflows, too watery, dialing in etc. yuck.

A refugium and weekly 10% water change is all I need.

I have none of those issues.

I ran my 50g with refugium and lots of water changes, it was a swamp.

I tried it and came to the conclusion that I would never run a tank without a skimmer again!

[subman]

Originally Posted by Snaz

Running without a skimmer is easier than running with one. With a skimmer you have to constantly monitor SG and top of with mixed water. Overflows, too watery, dialing in etc. yuck.

A refugium and weekly 10% water change is all I need.

maybe on a small (pico) tank but removing two cups a month of skimmate sure doesn't change my sg. I top off with pure clean ro water no mix. when I change water I check sg and make adjustments due salt creep ect. but it hasn't changed in 4 years.

[tytown]

I ran skimmer less on a 55g QT for a few months thinking I didn't need it. I wasn't happy with the way two (separate)fish went through it taking 6 weeks each and still mediocre going to display.
Added me good ol skimmer for that tank and I have so much more oxygenation and my fish are far more lively. Have an orange shoulder that will be going in display after only being in QT for 3 weeks because he's so much stronger.
Have mp40 in 55g QT on max for the record. Still with skimmer seemed better
Go skimmer or go home.

[NorthernCoral]

I dont use a skimmer however I beleive that they are very beneficial for removing excessive nutrients, but with frequent water changes you do not necessarily need one. My next set up will most defintly have a skimmer though.