For those who don't run a skimmer....
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dallen2233
New member
I do a 20% change every other week on my 55 gallon tank. I do use RO/DI my TDS in the tap water is 173.
Weekly:
5% - 10% water change. (I use tap water, RO and RO/DI, haven't noticed any difference between them.)
Wipe algae off glass.
Test pH and Alk.
Monthly or as needed:
Test Calcium, Nitrate, Magnesium, PO4
Most common supplements are CaribSea's Aragamight and Buffer+ (I use an autofeeder to drop small amounts nightly.). I also use other brands of calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium.
As needed:
Siphon algae off sand, rinse any sand removed in tapwater and return to tank.
Siphon/remove algae from rocks often using a toothbrush or small bottle brush to help remove it. May use H2O2 with a syringe and big needle to get into to tight spaces to kill algae.
GFO and/or GAC in small DIY canister filters that hold 1/2 to 2 cups.
Here's a link to a thread I have on my first skimmerless system
And here's some video's of some of my other systems
110 gallon system with just a sump originally started in 1992
http://youtu.be/KhcRz50cV0s
500 gallon system w/ lighted and cryptic refugiums/sumps, RO/DI & Calcium Reactor
http://youtu.be/_Uf5IyXvajg
240 Gallon System maintained with tap water, no external filtration/sump/refugium
http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA
Green Slimer Timeline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyM6Y39iQ8M
20 - 25 year old brittle stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHI7PfRIgzA
5% - 10% water change. (I use tap water, RO and RO/DI, haven't noticed any difference between them.)
Wipe algae off glass.
Test pH and Alk.
Monthly or as needed:
Test Calcium, Nitrate, Magnesium, PO4
Most common supplements are CaribSea's Aragamight and Buffer+ (I use an autofeeder to drop small amounts nightly.). I also use other brands of calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium.
As needed:
Siphon algae off sand, rinse any sand removed in tapwater and return to tank.
Siphon/remove algae from rocks often using a toothbrush or small bottle brush to help remove it. May use H2O2 with a syringe and big needle to get into to tight spaces to kill algae.
GFO and/or GAC in small DIY canister filters that hold 1/2 to 2 cups.
Here's a link to a thread I have on my first skimmerless system
And here's some video's of some of my other systems
110 gallon system with just a sump originally started in 1992
http://youtu.be/KhcRz50cV0s
500 gallon system w/ lighted and cryptic refugiums/sumps, RO/DI & Calcium Reactor
http://youtu.be/_Uf5IyXvajg
240 Gallon System maintained with tap water, no external filtration/sump/refugium
http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA
Green Slimer Timeline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyM6Y39iQ8M
20 - 25 year old brittle stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHI7PfRIgzA
Jon0807
New member
I tried to run my 36g bowfront skimmerless and it was fine for a while till I ran into a huge algae problem. Green hair turned into dino algae that covered everything! It was floating in the water as well as created a film on top. I have an AquaClear 70 but that wasn't really helping much. I was doing 20% changes a week. I ended up adding a skimming attachment to the AC70 AND I got an Aqua Life 115. That along with weekly 50% water changes, my algae problems cleared up in a couple of months. I still have to empty out the skimmer cup daily cause it's filled with brown crud. Without it, I don't know how my tank would look.
If I had to do it all over again, I think I would go with a sump and a skimmer. Everyone's situation is different, and I know people have successfully run a tank for years without. But for me being such a newbie when it comes to reef tanks, a skimmer gives me some newb wiggle room. Oh and yes, RODI is a must.
If I had to do it all over again, I think I would go with a sump and a skimmer. Everyone's situation is different, and I know people have successfully run a tank for years without. But for me being such a newbie when it comes to reef tanks, a skimmer gives me some newb wiggle room. Oh and yes, RODI is a must.
Mad_Reefer
New member
I count on macro algae for nutrient export. My sump is basically all refugium.
I try to do a water change once a month. They turn out to be about 14% just because it is an easy tote full to mix.
I have 5 small fish, a shrimp, RBTA, and corals in a 40 breeder with 29 gallon tank for sump/fuge. I hope I didn't over stock, time will tell. Right now it is easy and looking good.
I try to do a water change once a month. They turn out to be about 14% just because it is an easy tote full to mix.
I have 5 small fish, a shrimp, RBTA, and corals in a 40 breeder with 29 gallon tank for sump/fuge. I hope I didn't over stock, time will tell. Right now it is easy and looking good.
All I have is 2 ac 50 on my 33 gallon. I filled them up with a sponge,bio media,purigen,poly filter, and hypersonic.
It's only been running for 2 months but so far it looks great.
I use a 5 gallon bucket for my water changes which I add prime,salt and some poly filter 2-3 days before I change the water.
Top off is ro/Di. I might install an ro/di later on.
It's only been running for 2 months but so far it looks great.
I use a 5 gallon bucket for my water changes which I add prime,salt and some poly filter 2-3 days before I change the water.
Top off is ro/Di. I might install an ro/di later on.
What filters and media do you use? Ro/di or tap?
I use ro/di because our tap water sucks.
Heater in 1st chamber
Chaeto in 2nd chamber
Return pump in 3rd chamber
With tanks under 29g, your best filtration is a simple weekly 5g water change. Replenishes your trace elements, keeps nitrates and phosphates at Zero, and keeps overall system simple
Heater in 1st chamber
Chaeto in 2nd chamber
Return pump in 3rd chamber
With tanks under 29g, your best filtration is a simple weekly 5g water change. Replenishes your trace elements, keeps nitrates and phosphates at Zero, and keeps overall system simple
vikinglord13
New member
~10% w/c every three weeks. chamber 1 has lr rubble. chamber two is a chaeto refugium. I have a low bioload.
I didn't stay on top of my calcium/alkalinity/magnesium for a long time, so lower pH has lead to phosphate leeching into my water so I'm battling GHA currently.
I didn't stay on top of my calcium/alkalinity/magnesium for a long time, so lower pH has lead to phosphate leeching into my water so I'm battling GHA currently.
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