OMG! Thinking of Getting Remora Skimmers, Need Advice Please

[marie]

Good question, Marie. Right off the top of my head, I would answer that so many people talk about how useful skimming is and they have the skimmate to prove it. However, I'd have to think about your question more to provide a more rounded answer.

I have a few questions about the tanks you skim and the one you don't....

- Why do you think you have more algae problems in your skimmed tanks than in the one you don't skim? Larger bioloads that the skimmers are unable to keep up with, maybe? Or other factors? I would have thought skimming would reduce algae problems, if all your tanks were similar in feeding and bioloads.

- Why do you think you have more sponges and feather dusters in the non-skimmed tank than in the skimmed ones? Could there be predators in the skimmed tanks that eat dusters that do not reside in your non-skimmed tank?

The tank that is skimmerless doesn't have less algae but it doesn't have more either. The only real problem I have is the film on the glass, I do have to clean it a lot more often on the skimmerless tank which I think is the reason the sponges and feathers are doing much better in this tank...more phytoplankton for them .

I did put a skimmer on this tank for about 3 weeks but took it off because there was no real change (I know 3 weeks probably wasn't long enough) and because the tank is viewed from 3 sides and there was no room on the 4th side the skimmer looked ugly.

[hawaiiguy]

To respond to marie, why wouldn't you want a skimmer? I'm not saying skimmerless systems are necessarily bad; I know there are many who don't use them and have lots of success. But I think using one can only improve your system. It can be a great buffer if organics start going up without you knowing. I think they are especially important if you have a heavily stocked reef. FOWLR systems probably don't need them as much.

I have a Remora Pro with a Mag 3 and I haven't had a single problem with it. There's no way it'll overflow (I have a hose adapter that connects the collection cup to an external container) and I have clamps for the Mag 3 pump. I'd say your chances of a mishap are low with this product. Also, if you're shopping around for the best deal, you might want to try e-bay... I got mine used and in excellent condition for 220 CAD (including shipping).