skimmer only tanks?

[chris1292]

Basically does anyone have an sps tank that doesn't use carbon gfo biopellets etc. Basically just a skimmer and fuge? Right now I have a 125g running bio pellets and I want to take them off. Is it possible to keep a ULNS without carbon dosing or gfo etc?

 

[Dexters Reef]

I wouldnt say Im ULNS, but I run a skimmer, sump and fuge. 75g with 8 fish, and a mix of corals including numerous sps. I have 3 bags of chemipure elite in the sump. Ammonia/nitrates/nitrites are 0. Phosphate...trace amounts. With a salifert test kit on double sensitivity I get a 0 reading, but it really isnt a low phosphate range tester. I suspect I have trace amounts because I have to clean my glass every 3 days or so.

 

[chris1292]

Do you need that chemipure to keep your levels down?

 

[AdamDeMamp]

My system is skimmer only. No fuge, no carbon, no gfo, no pellets.

 

[DopeCantWin]

What would be useful is a tank picture with those who say that's all they're running.

 

[mil hse]

From what I've experienced and tanks I ve seen is that the reason most people like to have a lot of fish and feed a lot. Which increases the bio load. High bio load produce waste so reactors are an easier way to reduce polutiance. You should have no problem keeping your water clean enough if you did more or bigger water changes. My buddy's 210 reef is skimmer and fuge only. But he only has a few fish and feeds lite.

 

[toothman]

basically no. Some type of algae filtration might work.

 

[chris1292]

Well I have a 125g and only have 5 fish and only plan to add 1 or 2 smaller fish and feed very light right now. All my levels are good i just want to try and get off bio pellets without going to gfo because I see some colors starting to fade. For those who said they are just fuge and skimmers can you post a FTS or info on what you do too keep levels down.

 

[AdamDeMamp]

I apologize for the crappy iphone pics. (the reason why I don't show my tank)

My system is a standard 55g. I have had it up since 6/2012 with diy LED's. Only run a ASM Gx1 skimmer and do 50% wc's about once a month with IO. Dosing BRS 2 part using a RKL. I have tons of fish. I've been adding slowly, but have a lot. I love my fish more than the corals. All sps obtained from local reefers and all grown from frags. I keep things pretty simple.

 

[chris1292]

Looks really good! I pulled off my bio pellets tonight and ordered some macro algae so well see how it goes I guess. Anyone here use red mangroves?

 

[Dexters Reef]

Do you need that chemipure to keep your levels down?

To be honest, I don't know if I absolutely need it, but I've never run a tank without it. I change it every 4 months.

Here's some pics (FTS is a few weeks old, coral shots are few days old)

 

[chris1292]

Very nice thanks for sharing