do i really need a skimmer?

[CoralBeautyII]

Do i really need a skimmer? I'm tired of them breaking, they break every year on me, whether its a power failure or what they just dont seem to last more than a year. I'm tired of shelling out 300 bux a pop

I have no sump, so i have to use an in tank skimmer

my tank is 220 gallons, mostly soft corals, nitrates 20ppm
20% monthly water changes

 

[Lightsluvr]

No skimmer?

No skimmer?

That's a big tank for a hang-on skimmer and no sump...

What other types of filtration do you use? How many fish?

How much live rock and water movement (power heads)?

LL

 

[Andrew]

skimmers are not required. Many people go skimmer less on all types of set-ups. Water changes and a good sized fuge can get the job done without a problem.

 

[vanmo92]

While I definitely recommend skimmers, I do agree with Andrew ^

 

[CoralBeautyII]

well i decided to go with the Tunze DOC Protein Skimmer
I hope this is a good skimmer, it goes in the tank which is what i need.
just hope it doesnt shoot micro bubbles all over the place

and when this breaks, thats it! lol

 

[Andrew]

Tunze is a very good brand so, you won't be disappointed. Make sure you get a larger model to handle your bio-load.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Pumps and parts of pumps can be replaced for a lot less than the skimmer price. Don't chuck the whole thing if the pump goes out. After 2 years the pump on my EuroReef went out. I bought a new impeller because the magnet on the other one swelled up. Cost about $40 and it works like new.

 

[CoralBeautyII]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12605413#post12605413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
Pumps and parts of pumps can be replaced for a lot less than the skimmer price. Don't chuck the whole thing if the pump goes out. After 2 years the pump on my EuroReef went out. I bought a new impeller because the magnet on the other one swelled up. Cost about $40 and it works like new.

yeah usually i just chuck em'
this time though i broke off a peice trying to get the neck part to latch on, so its pretty much done...ew and it had all sponges living in it


so if the tunze breaks i can easily get a new impeller or motor thingy for it?
im bad with mechanical stuff :lol: