Can i get rid of skimmer.

[heller792]

Hi peeps. I really need some help on this one. I really want to turn my skimmer off and remove from my sump as its huge and i want to make a larger fudge. I currently have a 4ft sps dominated tank with display DSB, my skimmer is hardly pulling any crud out unless i put it on a really wet skimm. I change 60L per week and the system volume is about 350L after displacment. I have a friend that has an amazing tank and he just has the same tank as me with no skimmer just mm.

Heres is my system at the moment

Here is my friends tank skimmerless system, its never had a skimmer on it

would really appreciate your help on this one, Dave

 

[M007]

Only one way to find out, try it and watch your perams. How much water does you friend change?

 

[heller792]

same as me, we both have the same size set up and we both change 60L per week. I change all mine on a saturday and he does his in 2 amounts, once in the week and one at the weekend. I have a dsb he does not but he has mm in the sump.

Dave

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

if you pull the skimmer

if you pull the skimmer

please let us know what happens right here in this thread.

Personally, based on what little info on your aquarium I see here in this thread I wouldn't mess with what good stuff you've got going on.

 

[heller792]

thanks, think i might of cracked it. I dont have a refugium as such as my skimmer limits the room. I think ive managed to run my skimmer as an external (fingers crossed) which will leave me a massive section to add some sand and algae and make a great refugium which is what i think the tank needs. will post some pics when the skimmers is in place

 

[SHADYreefer]

thanks, think i might of cracked it. I dont have a refugium as such as my skimmer limits the room. I think ive managed to run my skimmer as an external (fingers crossed) which will leave me a massive section to add some sand and algae and make a great refugium which is what i think the tank needs. will post some pics when the skimmers is in place

sounds good

 

[allsps40]

You may have to large of a skimmer on your tank. You could down grade to a smaller skimmer more rated for your tank size and add a fuge as well.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

there is a saying among longtime reefkeepers

there is a saying among longtime reefkeepers

here it is:

why mess with success?

 

[allsps40]

Your corals look pretty good IMO.

 

[M007]

here it is:

Why mess with success?

+1

 

[dvanacker]

To me running with out a skimmer is a risk.......

a skimmer is never a negative IMO....can only be a positive. Yes there is a very small percentage of aquarists who know how to pull off a nice skimmer-less system LONG TERM. And I do think long term is the key to a successful skimmer-less tank. I believe some newer clean systems can last with out a skimmer for some time depending on the aquarists husbandry but eventually the nutrients catch up and build up.

Other more aged tanks it would probably be a very bad idea to take the skimmer away.

Other thing is that some people say that the skimmer is taking too much out of the system or "over skimming". Really who cares..feed more.....bigger skimmer equals more food, more food and clean water.....happy corals.

 

[heller792]

cheers guys, heres the setup now, just need to sort the refugium out now and maybe try feeding more.

Dave

 

[M007]

Looked like you're all set:celeb1:

 

[heller792]

yes pal, ive just added sand and will see what happens. Do the critters in a refugium need day and night or should light be on 24 hours?

Thanks, Dave

 

[M007]

Fuge lighting usually runs opposite to tank lighting. Helps with night time PH drop.

 

[heller792]

but doesnt some types of algae require 24 hours or it will go sexual?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

certain types of Caulerpa can go sexual

 

[allsps40]

For Chaeto run the fuge light 24/7. It will still keep ph stable and the chaeto will grow much better.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

For Chaeto run the fuge light 24/7. It will still keep ph stable and the chaeto will grow much better.

+1 that's always worked for me. Also, I don't think you need that halide going over your fuge. That's just WAY too much light. One or two of those spiral eco lights would do.

Your tank looks beautiful btw. I wouldn't experiment with the skimmer if it were me. They do more good than bad. Also, if something happens where you lose a fish/coral your skimmer will pick up the extra bioload bringing everything back to where it should be.