Skimmer-less systems?

[stlver1]

I have been doing some reading and it seems that there are quite a few people who run systems with out a skimmer. And in some cases just have canister filters. I have always thought that a canister did not have that much of a benifet to a reef system. I imagin that without a skimmer your maint. goes up (I.E. more water changes) does anyone have experience with this? or any thoughts on the matter?

Mike

 

[greystreet41]

I know very little on the subject but I could see where an LPS system would do well without a skimmer from personal experience...not so much SPS, though. There are always exceptions so be prepared to hear every possible answer that exists. good luck.

 

[stlver1]

Thanks...yea any ideas on the subject are great....its not somthing im considering at this point but if its possible its always somthing to think about

 

[Hurley12]

Mimi had a skimmer-less system, I dont know if oyu saw hers, but she had amazing growth. You might ask her about it.

 

[stlver1]

you know i was there and saw her set-up and never thought about it after that.....thanks for the reminder

 

[gflat65]

Mimi ran no skimmer and tap water with a canister filter. All of the 'no no's' .

 

[DMBillies]

I got better growth out of my softies (and maybe some LPS) before I upgraded my tank and got a real skimmer. So, I could see how, as long as you can stick to those types of corals, you'd be alright without one. That said, I did weekly 10% water changes and was constantly fighting to keep my nitrates low.

 

[fishdoc11]

Here is a really nice skimmerless tank IMO.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium
It can definately be done. A good idea is to search around and find as many skimmerless tanks as you can find that you like and study how they are implimented. Then combine methods and do what works for you. Most people with a skimmerless tank will use methods like plenums or DSB's along with macroalgae growth in a fuge to help with nutrient export. One thing to think about in these systems is that lots of times without the O2 a good skimmer injects into the system the tank will reach low oxygen levels at night, especially with a DSB or plenum. An airstone run at night is a good idea in some cases to help with this.
hth, Chris

 

[gflat65]

Surface skimming is important, too, to help add some oxygen interchange. Surface skimmers are really cheap (if not reef ready and going relatively low flow).

 

[stlver1]

thanks for all the great info guys really appreciate it