to skim or not to skim...

theglasseskid · 10-02-2007, 05:01 PM

this is a highly debated topic but i thought i'd ask you guys what your thoughts were...

i recently added some chaeto and am thinking not to bother with a skimmer with my 2 nanos.

can you get away with it in a bigger system? 50gal? 100gal? 200gal?

DrHank · 10-02-2007, 05:21 PM

I think that you wil find that almost all of the folks here (myself included) believe that the skimmer is one of the most important tools in maintaining optimum water quality. I've had a good one on every tank I've set up. I would want it even on a nano.

reefman420 · 10-02-2007, 05:41 PM

I agree i also run cheato and grape calp.,My skimmer only gets skimmate like once a week.But if i didnt have it it wouldnt catch the stuff that comes thrue!!

lcstorc · 10-02-2007, 05:56 PM

Personally I love having a good skimmer on the tank. Even my 20g has an Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer.
Just looking at and smelling the stuff that it pulls out of the water convinces me that it is needed or at least wanted.

BoomerD · 10-02-2007, 06:31 PM

Personally, I wouldn't run a S/W tank without a quality skimmer, but I know a couple of people with larger tanks...(up to 180 gallons) who have never run a skimmer in their tanks and have beautiful reefs, HOWEVER, they do a LOT of water changes to keep the nutrient and pollutant levels in check.

My biggest argument FOR a skimmer was in the stuff I cleaned out of the collection cup every week...
Do skimmers take out some of the good stuff in the water? Probably, but regular, frequent, and sizeable water changes keep those ions replenished, so why not remove as much nasty stuff as possible?

Nano's are a bit more problematic. The Nano-cube type tanks aren't really built for skimmer use, and the few aftermarket skimmers for nanos don't seem to be very effective.
However, if you're building a nano out of a regular aquarium, then all the usual options apply. (HOB, in-sump, etc.)

Kirblit · 10-02-2007, 06:37 PM

I could never do without one. You can find any clear water pristine tank out there and if they don't have a skimmer. If you hook one up and take one look at the gunk that they pull out of that clear perfect looking water would make anyone think that this is a must for a reef tank. It's hard to believe the water is really that dirty isn't it

.

Woodstock · 10-02-2007, 06:37 PM

You can have good water quality without a skimmer doing frequent water changes but I would definately have a very lite bioload as far as fish and feedings go. One overfeeding or a death can quickly polute a small volume of water. Having a skimmer in place will instantly begin removing any disolved organics and keep the water cleaner.

Melanie · 10-02-2007, 06:41 PM

Nothing I can add that hasn't already been said. I agree.

sasquatch · 10-02-2007, 07:04 PM

lol, youve all got it backwards, the reason for having a tank is to support the skimmer, damn you guys are funny

Kirblit · 10-02-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

lol, youve all got it backwards, the reason for having a tank is to support the skimmer, damn you guys are funny

your right Squatch I forgot about my weekend hobby, remember this?
If these people only knew what that was.

Cappuccino Coast: The day the Pacific was whipped up into an ocean of froth | the Daily Mail

Woodstock · 10-02-2007, 07:12 PM

GAAAAAADDDD!!!!!!!

Kirblit · 10-02-2007, 07:12 PM

Oh yeah can't forget about these ones!

Woodstock · 10-02-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodstock

GAAAAAADDDD!!!!!!!

10-02-2007, 05:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
theglasseskid Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 19 View Gallery Karma Komment	to skim or not to skim... this is a highly debated topic but i thought i'd ask you guys what your thoughts were... i recently added some chaeto and am thinking not to bother with a skimmer with my 2 nanos. can you get away with it in a bigger system? 50gal? 100gal? 200gal?

10-02-2007, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: to skim or not to skim... I think that you wil find that almost all of the folks here (myself included) believe that the skimmer is one of the most important tools in maintaining optimum water quality. I've had a good one on every tank I've set up. I would want it even on a nano. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

10-02-2007, 05:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
reefman420 Elegance coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 1,085 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: to skim or not to skim... I agree i also run cheato and grape calp.,My skimmer only gets skimmate like once a week.But if i didnt have it it wouldnt catch the stuff that comes thrue!! __________________ 155 oceanic bow front,20 long refuge packed with caluerpa and mangroves,40 gallon sump,175lbs LR,3x250 watt xm 10ks,aqua-c remora,and pro-clear 150 skimmers sailfin tang,kole tang,royal gramma,cinnimon clown,2xpink skunk clowns,six line wrasse,mandarin, 155 bow coral-orange montipora cap,superman monti cap,scripps green polyped staghorn,ORA pink poccilipora,ORA blue millipora,green slimer,yellow UK acro,pink birdsnest,armor of god zoas,various zoas and shrooms,hammer,frogspawn,clove polyps,favite,fancey toadstool,reg toadstool,yellow leather,purple leather,devils hand,2 types xenia,ricordea florida,ricordea yuma,kenya tree,galaxia,bubble coral,button polyps inverts are lots of snails and hermits,crocea clam,maxima clam and seabae anemone,rbta

10-02-2007, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,786 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: to skim or not to skim... Personally I love having a good skimmer on the tank. Even my 20g has an Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer. Just looking at and smelling the stuff that it pulls out of the water convinces me that it is needed or at least wanted. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

10-02-2007, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: to skim or not to skim... Personally, I wouldn't run a S/W tank without a quality skimmer, but I know a couple of people with larger tanks...(up to 180 gallons) who have never run a skimmer in their tanks and have beautiful reefs, HOWEVER, they do a LOT of water changes to keep the nutrient and pollutant levels in check. My biggest argument FOR a skimmer was in the stuff I cleaned out of the collection cup every week... Do skimmers take out some of the good stuff in the water? Probably, but regular, frequent, and sizeable water changes keep those ions replenished, so why not remove as much nasty stuff as possible? Nano's are a bit more problematic. The Nano-cube type tanks aren't really built for skimmer use, and the few aftermarket skimmers for nanos don't seem to be very effective. However, if you're building a nano out of a regular aquarium, then all the usual options apply. (HOB, in-sump, etc.) __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

10-02-2007, 06:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kirblit Scopas Tang Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 411 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: to skim or not to skim... I could never do without one. You can find any clear water pristine tank out there and if they don't have a skimmer. If you hook one up and take one look at the gunk that they pull out of that clear perfect looking water would make anyone think that this is a must for a reef tank. It's hard to believe the water is really that dirty isn't it . __________________ 125g RR Kirby My reef chronicle http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...s-125-a-3.html

10-02-2007, 06:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,614 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: to skim or not to skim... You can have good water quality without a skimmer doing frequent water changes but I would definately have a very lite bioload as far as fish and feedings go. One overfeeding or a death can quickly polute a small volume of water. Having a skimmer in place will instantly begin removing any disolved organics and keep the water cleaner. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

10-02-2007, 06:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: to skim or not to skim... Nothing I can add that hasn't already been said. I agree. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

10-02-2007, 07:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: to skim or not to skim... lol, youve all got it backwards, the reason for having a tank is to support the skimmer, damn you guys are funny __________________ castawayreefers.com

10-02-2007, 07:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,614 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: to skim or not to skim... GAAAAAADDDD!!!!!!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

10-02-2007, 07:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kirblit Scopas Tang Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 411 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: to skim or not to skim... Oh yeah can't forget about these ones! __________________ 125g RR Kirby My reef chronicle http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...s-125-a-3.html

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