Do I really need a Protein Skimmer?

M

Mylo

New member
First let me describe my setup.

I currently have a 90 Gallon Bow Front Reef ready aquarium. Under this aquarium is a PRECISION MARINE ( http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/r24.html ) refugium. This was the largest refugium that I could fit in the stand without going custom. I have about 130 lbs. of live rock in the tank along with some fish. ( http://www.leslieandgreg.com/SaltwaterPhoto.html ) If you go to the last link and scroll to the bottom of the page you should see the whole setup of the tank and a layout of my possible plan. Setup is plain and simple. (I used paintbrush for the layout)

History: I had an old hang-on skimmer that was hanging on the overflow of the main tank but that skimmer has died since then. So now I am sitting here wondering how can I incorporate a skimmer to this setup or if I really need to. I have a saltwater creation station in the garage so I will continue doing 20-30 gallon bi-weekley water changes. I would hate to have to drill the refugium to setup a skimmer on their as I can not place one inside the refugium. I also do not have much room to work with in this stand. I am almost thinking about getting a 200 gallon RUBBERMAID (Sump Container) and keeping that inside of my garage about 18 feet away from the MAIN TANK. Then I was thinking about running a line from the over flow to the sump and getting a big Mag Pump to run the return line all the way back. Any ideas thrown my way would be helpful. I have made a sketch of the layout of my house along with the possible location of a new SUMP in the garage. The layout is on the same page as my tank. I live in Houston, TX so I am now sure how that would affect the temp of the sump due to the location in the garage. I guess since alot of the water (MAIN TANK) is still in the house then the temps should balance out okay. Sorry to post such an unorganized paragraph but this has been bothering me for quite some time and I just now got around to doing it.

Thanks again fellow reefers. If you need any addition photos please list and I will take them and post them asap.
 
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The thing I have always noticed with skimmerless systems is finding that balance where the boilogical filtration is able to keep up.

A lot of this will depend on the bio-load you put in the system. It can be done. :)


I have always liked the idea of having an external sump as it sounds like you are contemplating. Not only doe it allow you to externally mount all kinds of equipment you are able to further increase the system volume. Which leads to increased stability in my expereince.

With an external sump you also will have the ability to connect a skimmer should it be needed if you found that your tank wasn't able to keep up.

I think you are on the right track to a good system. :) As you have ideas. post them. discuss them. :)

Good luck!!!
 
I think skimmers are a great failsafe. I would not run tank "other than nano" without one unless doing extremely frequent water changes.
 
save yourself some hassel and get a skimmer. A decent one at that. I'd recommend an ASM G-3 series if you can afford it.
 
Unless your garage is very cool in the summer I suspect the water will get to hot in your tank. Unless, you add a chiller...

You can always try running the system without a skimmer. If it does not work you can then figure out how to add a skimmer.
 
The refugium is about 20 gallons and I currently have Chaeto in it along with about 5 pounds of Miracle Mud. The chaeto will grow from about the size of a baseball to the size of a bowling ball in 2 weeeks. I trim it down regularly.



Also in response to the skimmer. I would love to have a skimmer but I don't know how I can incorparate it into my system with the minimal space that I currently have.
 
I have a hang on in my sump.Even with the mud you should get a skimmer.I know ecosystems has said you don't need one.I have been to an lfs guy he had 1 system with skimmer and one without.The one with looked better but both systems ran fine.You do have to change the mud.
 
You could get by with a AquaC remora skimmer. It is a hang on. I know it can handle up to a 75g. How have your water parameters been without a skimmer. If parms. are pretty good I would use a hang-on. If they are great I would go without one.
What you are proposing is too much to go through for just a skimmer. A automatic water changer, auto top off, CA reactor and all types of other things would be a good reason to use your plan. If you are not into any of these then use the remora even if it may be a little under rated for a 90g.
Just my opinion.
Fred
I would love to have all the remote automatic hi=tech things,like the February TOTM winner has.
 
aqua-c

aqua-c

I know its not the best skimmer in the world but I really like the aqua-c remora, I have to empty the cup every 3-4 days(i skim pretty wet). But the funk isnt in the tank.... and since I only paid 40 bucks for the skimmer and mag-5..... it wasnt toooo shabby!
 
AquaC makes good stuff. I've been using the EV-120 skimmer now for over 3 years. I just ordered a EV-240 for my new 180g tank that I'm setting up. You can't go wrong with the hang on version either.
 
I think that I will go with the HANG-ON Aqua C Remora. I will position it on the bag of the REFUGIUM. I will have to modify it somehow so that it doesn't stir up the mud. Thanks guys for all of your info.

My parameters so far without the skimmer are all great except for the Nitrate which is around 15-20 which I don't think is that bad. I would love to have 0 nitrates.
 
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