Water Purification

[TheReefGeek]

You're welcome, you deserve it, your obviously care for and care about your reefs a great deal.

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

Yes, it is possible to run a successfull reef without a skimmer, nobody will argue that.

But could that same reef be run easier, and possibly even healthier, with a skimmer?

If that same reef is my reef, the answer is emphatically NO

Bob, what skimmer did you try, on what size tank? What made the experience unsatisfying?

It must be remembered that I have been keeping salt water tanks off and on since the middle seventies. I have probably tried every gadget that was foisted upon the unwary hobbyist. And my findings are that the skimmer is just an overrated gadget.

[Quagmire]

Fuge and 10-15% weekly water changes on the tank without the skimmer....wait a minute ... same routine for the tank with the skimmer.

[TheReefGeek]

Bob, I cannot possibly "remember" that you have been keeping SW tanks since the 70's, I wasn't even born!

What size tank(s) are you currently running skimmerless? Any more details on your tanks? Cleaning regiment, fuge, etc?

[Aquattro]

One thing to keep in mind is what "reef" means to you. I keep primarily SPS, and feel that a skimmer is essential. If I instead kept a tank with zoos and/or softies only, I would have to seriously consider not using a skimmer. I have seen tanks of this type that appear to do better with higher nutrient levels.
We certainly can't argue with Bob about skimmers, he's been not using one for ever and his tanks all do just fine. I use a skimmer and my tank does just fine. So who's right? Both of us. Or neither, depending on how you look at it.

To address the topic, if skimmers didn't exist, I'd use ozone, GAC and water changes. And I'd invent skimmers and get rich!!

[Psyire]

The problem with ozone is that the best way to run it is with a skimmer. From what I've read those ozone reactors aren't all that great.

[Psyire]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Fuge and 10-15% weekly water changes on the tank without the skimmer....wait a minute ... same routine for the tank with the skimmer.

I'd like to point out that people don't do 10-15% water changes weekly. Even those who say they do. (there are exceptions ofcourse)

I'd say the average reefer does 1 per month. (remember there are people out there that do 1 or 2 per year)

[Beverly]

Even when we ran a skimmer, we did weekly maintenance on our reefs. I think it's just a good habit to get into. JMHO, though.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Psyire

I'd like to point out that people don't do 10-15% water changes weekly. Even those who say they do. (there are exceptions ofcourse)

I'd say the average reefer does 1 per month. (remember there are people out there that do 1 or 2 per year)

So are you saying Im above average?? or just strange BTW a 10-15% water change for me is one 5g bucket for each tank.So not alot of work.

[Beverly]

Quagmire,

We're probably just strange