<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6513395#post6513395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer1187
i NEVER had a skimmer, for one because its to pricey for my pockets, im only 18, and 2nd i always wanted to achieve a beautiful tank without a skimmer, because i have seen it done b4, using the ecosystem filtration method.
Good quality skimmers can be expensive. However, they do make more of a difference than can be accomplished by just doing some more water changes. They are, IMO, almost always critical to a successful reef. There are other ways to accomplish a great reef and one of them is the Ecosystem method. But that method, while simple to operate, must be operated in a specific way and the mud that it requires is essential to its effectiveness and success. So, if you aren't doing it precisely the way it's designed to work, you won't have much luck. This is informative on that method:
http://www.ecosystemaquarium.com/html/systemfiltration.html
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6513395#post6513395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer1187
so, basically if i dont get a skimmer ill just be doing water changes a little more often?
If you want to get the reef going without the trouble that you've had, get a skimmer, even if it's a used one. If you don't want to go the skimmer route, then do the Ecosystem method, but follow all of the instructions very closely....to purchase an Ecosystem setup to put on your reef instead of operating a skimmer, it's just as expensive...here's an example:
http://www.aquadirect.com/catalog/filters/ecosystems.htm
I recently saw a tank in a fish store with one of those on it and there's no doubt that the coral was in super-healthy condition...without a skimmer. It's very impressive. But, again, expensive, too.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6513395#post6513395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer1187
and also the ONLY supplement i have to add is buffer to keep my alkalinity up?
If you're going to have a reef after all, you'd be supplementing calcium (and less frequently, magnesium) also, in addition to a supplement to maintain the alkalinity in the tank. If you change over to FOWLR, then alkalinity will be a bigger focus for you. Of course you'd still have to monitor calcium, pH, nitrates, etc.