Going skimmerless?

[swninja]

Decided to go with a 56 gal tank, just wondering if anybody actually gets away with not using a skimmer. My last tank was a 50, and I spent weeks upon weeks messing with the skimmer trying to figure out why it wasnt collecting anything. Apparently there was nothing to collect. So i figured this time i'll just try skipping that whole expense. Am I asking for disaster? Anybody have any luck doing this?

 

[swninja]

Im an idiot. I just realized i asked pretty much the same question the other day. It must be late.

 

[Smitty]

You could run a tank without a skimmer, you'd just have to be on point when it comes to water changes. I ran a 125 gal fo tank w/o a skimmer when I first started in this hobby. Just make sure your don't overstock or overfeed.

 

[Bifferwine]

Yes, it can be done. :) Go skimmerless for a while and see how it goes. If things go downhill, you may have to get one. If things go well, then there's no need for one.

 

[markrj]

I do not use a skimmer. My tank is 8 months old. All I use is a DIY Algae Scrubber and weekly cleaning of said scrubber along with weekly 15%-20% water changes.

Tank is looking really good after going through an initial "ugly syndrome" where I did not do water changes for a couple of months. BIG MISTAKE! I also let RO water sit in the holding tank too long and it was contributing to the problem. It was growing a slimy film in the holding tank. The Cyano was getting out of control. Since I started making up the salt water for changes only 1 day in advance and also topping off with water straight from the RO/DI faucet and doing weekly (7-10 days) water changes the cyano is all gone and the tank itself is finally looking really good.

My water parameters are perfect.

I did have a massive red mushroom die-off a couple of months ago but I think that may have more to do with the placement of the rock too near the lights. Everything else in the tank is thriving including a nice Goniopora I got back in February.

 

[swninja]

:Cheers:Cool. Glad to hear it can be done. Im only one step above a newbie myself, but I'm pretty sure i can handle some weekly water changes and watching the parameters of the tank. Got the tank yesterday and got the LR and sand today. Found a guy out here in new jersey selling rock for $3 a lb and also sells corals. He had 3 beautiful tanks that have been up and running for 10+ years. Pretty sure i know who i'm going to for corals when i get to that point. Sorry Biff, you've been replaced. :Cheers:

 

[Bifferwine]

Ah dammit! That's okay, I took down my tank a while ago. :)

 

[swninja]

Really, why?

 

[Bifferwine]

Baby that's going to be here in a month and a half. I had some complications and was on bed rest for a while. Couldn't do much of anything, let alone take care of a tank. Besides the tank, I have the six cats, two dogs and two guinea pigs. All those plus a baby is too much work. I need the money, space and time for other things now.

 

[swninja]

Yep. Sounds like a full house. Congrats too. Sorry Ive been MIA for awhile. Look at all the cool stuff I missed. I had another one too. She just turned a year. Watch, soon as things settle, you'll be back into it. Im at 2 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 FW tank, and here I go again. Of course half that mess is still in tucson and halfs here in NJ with me. I have faith, you'll be back.