haven't posted pics in a while, so...

[jacksonpt]

My tank is starting to fill in so I thought I'd post some new pics. I also picked up a couple new zoos that I haven't seen in the area. My SPS have taken on an unusual though interesting green tint... I'm guessing is has to do with the switch from a 14k bulb to a 20k XM a few months back.


My 12g Aquapod at about 18months...

Full Tank Shot

Maxima Clam

Zoanthids

More Zoanthids

Candy Cane and Ricordia

Branching Hammer

Blastos

Bali Tricolor

Purple Tort

 

[fatrip]

very nice looking. the purple tort looks like a Cali Tort, just so you know. Also what skimmer are you using on that? thanks

vince

 

[jacksonpt]

I don't run a skimmer... generally speaking I don't believe in them, though I've never had the privilege of running a big sophisticated setup, so that's a fairly well informed though somewhat inexperienced opinion.

 

[Dave VG]

Nice pics jaksonpt. it's been so long i thought you left town lol

 

[RyanM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11730429#post11730429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jacksonpt
I don't run a skimmer... generally speaking I don't believe in them, though I've never had the privilege of running a big sophisticated setup, so that's a fairly well informed though somewhat inexperienced opinion.

If my water changes amounted to what yours do I wouldnt use a skimmer either. 4 gallons a month for water changes is nothing. I think however your statement " I dont believe in them" would change if you had to mix up 35 gallons for a water change. Trying to keep a large amount of water clean is a whole lot harder and some assistance is needed I truley believe.

 

[jacksonpt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11730982#post11730982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanM
If my water changes amounted to what yours do I wouldnt use a skimmer either. 4 gallons a month for water changes is nothing. I think however your statement " I dont believe in them" would change if you had to mix up 35 gallons for a water change. Trying to keep a large amount of water clean is a whole lot harder and some assistance is needed I truley believe.

I don't think it would, because I don't do water changes to keep "toxins" low, I do them to keep nutrients high. I don't have issues with poor water quality (even when I don't do water changes), but I do have issues keeping my ca levels stable. Calcium (and the relationship it has with alk/ph) is the main reason I do water changes.

 

[RyanM]

When I had my 45 gallon I felt the same as you do. It had a crappy skimmer that worked half the time and only barely at its best. I never saw any difference in my tank from the times I thought it was working well to the times I just said the heck with it and let is sit not running because I needed to clean it or fix it.
My 45 did ok and grew corals just fine to me anyway, at the time.

Now that I have a larger tank and a skimmer that matches the tanks size and works well, I am pulling out so much smelly rotten crudd that I for sure would never ever pure it back into my tank and I feel that not having a skimmer is the same thing. My coral growth is FAR better now that I am at least attempting to skim what can be skimmed and water changes as often as I can. Never having a nice skimmer its easy to say my tank is fine with out one. After having one I cant believe youd run a larger tank with out one.
Just my 2 cents. Not trying to talk you into a skimmer for your nano. I wouldnt run one either. I would do frequent water changes tho.
Its a nice tank by the way. Congrats!

 

[drbronx]

Your tank is filling in nicely. It is truly one of the nicest nano systems I've seen. I'm proud to see so many of my corals gracing your beautiful tank.
I have to agree with Ryan (as I usually do!). In a larger system, especially with a heavier fish bioload, it would be extremely challenging (though not impossible) to maintain sufficient nutrient export without sufficient skimming. But credit to you for demonstrating that a skimmerless system is achievable. As you know, I am always looking to demonstrate that a beautiful reef can be maintained without a lot of expensive or sophisticated equipment.

 

[fatrip]

Jackson, what type of MH are you running over your tank, wattage and ballast wise.

 

[jacksonpt]

The bulb in the pictures is a 70w 20k XM... I don't know much about the ballast - it's a Current USA fixture, not sure what ballasts they run.

 

[fatrip]

does it heat up the tank in any noticable amount?

 

[jacksonpt]

No, temps are actually better with the halide due to the open top. Prior to running the halide I had a closed top/hood setups with PC bulbs. Heat was a VERY big deal then.

 

[fatrip]

hummm interesting.