Running a Skimmerless tank

[Coralgurl]

Originally Posted by Palmer

Yes that will teach me to stop using abreviations (i.e. cyano) to help me remember.

Not that this proves me correct but I posted this article here awhile back. After reading it I was quite suprised at the conclusions. With that said I like plastic candy as much as anyone else and having come from freshwater aquariums first I thought skimmers were the cats pajamas when starting my first SW tank and given enough evidence I could be convinced to hook a lava lamp to my sump and would love it.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature

Another interesting thing is most say that skimmers are only good for SW due to the surface tension but they use skimmers in commercial freshwater fish farming. I dont exactly know how/why but I always assumed the high nutrient levels in fish farming tanks could increase the salt or dissolved organics enough to create a significant enough surface tension to create bubbles...

Great article! Gonna stick with my plan above. After reading this, I'd like to gauge the difference between the 2 tanks over time.

Obviously bio loads are different but are relative to each system. Water change schedule is the same for both ATM, every 2 weeks.

Things were working great, something has changed. Picked up new filters for the RO unit, just need to switch over. Getting motivated to go grab water and lug upstairs.....warm on the couch with a fire going......

[Jakegr]

To get rid of the cyano, have you considered leaving the lights off in your tank for a 3-4 days?

http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...-get-rid-of-it

[Coralgurl]

I will turn them off as of tomorrow night. I'd rather be around for a few days to keep an eye on things. As of tomorrow I'm off til jan 2nd so I can focus a bit more on the tanks!!

[gregzz4]

I know, I should read your whole thread Sheena ...
Have you tried changing your powerhead locations and siphon out the cyano daily ?

From what I've learned on Canreef, once cyano gets a foot-hold, the only good way to get rid of it is to siphon it out
It may start with low, or high, flow rates. Once you have it, increasing flow will probably make it worse as you are now 'feeding' it

After it's gone, increasing flow rates in the previously affected areas may reduce or stop it's return as you are stopping food from settling in that area

[Coralgurl]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I know, I should read your whole thread Sheena ...
Have you tried changing your powerhead locations and siphon out the cyano daily ?

From what I've learned on Canreef, once cyano gets a foot-hold, the only good way to get rid of it is to siphon it out
It may start with low, or high, flow rates. Once you have it, increasing flow will probably make it worse as you are now 'feeding' it

After it's gone, increasing flow rates in the previously affected areas may reduce or stop it's return as you are stopping food from settling in that area

Changing power head location - yes, siphon - no. I've been blowing it off the rocks and catching with a net to pull out. It's mostly on the sand on the front of the tank but moving upwards.

I've changed the carbon filter on my RO unit, can't get the RO filter out, back at it in a bit. Wow, I'm pretty sure the water is part of the problem, the filter is dirty. I have to head back to concept as I need the prefilter as well so won't run more water till I pick that up.

Funny how this hobby throws things at you from every angle. Note-when tds hits 6, time to change filters, at 9, the problems have started! Will change long before it gets that high in the future!

I don't think running skimmer less is the problem and this tank can continue to go without one as long as everything else is looked after.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

I don't think running skimmer less is the problem and this tank can continue to go without one as long as everything else is looked after.

OK then, but you did start this thread on the basis of running it without one ..................

[Coralgurl]

I did. But I don't think skimmer less is the problem 100%. I'll work on things over the next while and see if I can get it back the way it was a couple of weeks ago. With better water again and water changes, less feedings and lights out, should be able to get rid of the cyano. If not, then I'll throw the skimmer in and see if that helps.

It does look like people do run slimmer less successfully, just with different husbandry practices. This is my simple tank and want to keep it that way.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

I did. But I don't think skimmer less is the problem 100%. I'll work on things over the next while and see if I can get it back the way it was a couple of weeks ago. With better water again and water changes, less feedings and lights out, should be able to get rid of the cyano. If not, then I'll throw the skimmer in and see if that helps.

It does look like people do run slimmer less successfully, just with different husbandry practices. This is my simple tank and want to keep it that way.

I didn't mean to say you should run this tank skimmer-less
I only meant to say ....
You are successfully running a 50g in this manner and you will have to look at your husbandry to make your decision ...

I'm no help ... I'm going to go look at the end of the world stuff now
Good Luck