Skimmerless- Can i do it?

[Shaker nemo]

I have a 65 gallon tank -48x18x18 with 20 lbs of live rock (looking to get more). The stocking is gonna be very low - only a trigger (still not decided on which trigger :angryfire I will be using natural saltwater for this tank, And will be growing macro in the DT. I will have a 15 gal sump with wet dry and carbon. i will also be doing weekly 10% waterchange, if not more.

I want to know whether i can do this without a skimmer. I really dont want to buy a skimmer fr only 1 fish. I considered DIY but dont think it will work out:hmm4:. The trigger will be fed twice a day - once with pellets and once with shrimp/scallop/sea urchin. I might even go with a lightly stockd peaceful tank - Some clowns and a wrasse and maybe a kole tang.
ANY advice would be appreciated :beer:

 

[thegrun]

Yes, it can be done, although the skimmer would improve water quality. As long as you are willing to make the required water changes to keep your nitrate levels down, you will not need a skimmer.

 

[TigeBell]

^^ Ditto

 

[STsONpERs]

It certainly can be done but so can riding a bike without a helmet.

The question for me is why, after spending a couple thousand on the tank and inhabitants would you want to not spend another couple hundred to help with the fact that sometimes a water change is skipped or that sometimes you might over feed?

I have ran both and a skimmer always seems to be a good investment unless you are running a small tank say 20g or less......It can be done though if you are on top of the tank and make sure that water changes are not missed.

 

[davocean]

I'm not sure your fish stock list is what I would go with in that size tank, and especially if you are trying for a low bioload/skimmerless tank, but of course a skimmerless tank can be done.
Many of us started this hobby long before skimmers became popular.
WC's are your best friend here.
I personally would not close my mind to adding one though.

 

[UMass14]

You can do it!

 

[asudavew]

You should be fine. But the trigger will outgrow a 55.

 

[Shaker nemo]

This is really a very low budget build- got the stand tank and hood bramd new for around $90. Sump another $30. $20 for return pump. Tryin keep total cost under $200

Skimmers and all tank equipment for that matter cost a lot. THe only proper skimmer i could find was a chinese brand called boyu for around $80. SW fish tank related imports have vat of 200%. SO really, not an option. I will be building a skmmer likke the one on hawkfish.com

 

[Reefer PT]

You mentioned natural sea water. If you are getting it from costal areas be sure to check for all levels, especially salinity and phosphate. My brother lives by the cost of Alaska and tried to start a tank using natural sea water. He said to get the right salinity and no pollution he had to go a couple miles off shore. Plus he had weird things growing out in his tank all the time. He is using synthetic now. Sorry to get off topic but I remember his laments.

 

[torero500]

I do it, no skimmer. Have a 54 gal mixed reef with 5 smaller fish. Corals never looked better than without the skimmer. Don't run filter sock either, and my tank looks great. I do faithfully do a 10% water change every 2 weeks, though.

 

[Timfish]

Yup:

http://youtu.be/_Uf5IyXvajg
http://youtu.be/KhcRz50cV0s
http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA

 

[Shaker nemo]

You mentioned natural sea water. If you are getting it from costal areas be sure to check for all levels, especially salinity and phosphate. My brother lives by the cost of Alaska and tried to start a tank using natural sea water. He said to get the right salinity and no pollution he had to go a couple miles off shore. Plus he had weird things growing out in his tank all the time. He is using synthetic now. Sorry to get off topic but I remember his laments.

Dont worry, there is a coral reef 50 m off shore

Toreo 500, what else do u use for filtration?

Timfish those are some really nice tanks :inlove:

 

[Timfish]

Thank You!

 

[Shaker nemo]

guys do you'll think you could help me with my sump design? link- http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2392801 all advice greatly appreciated

 

[Mark426]

If I understood your post, you will have no or few corals and mainly one pet fish. Resist the temptation to add more than another fish or two. That's usually the downfall of the setup you describe. Respectfully, I see you are already thinking of going over that cliff with the other group of fish you want.

So..... what you stated in your post should work out just fine. As long as you are on top of your water changes, NEVER miss one, dont over-feed and keep the number of fish way down.

 

[Shaker nemo]

If I understood your post, you will have no or few corals and mainly one pet fish. Resist the temptation to add more than another fish or two. That's usually the downfall of the setup you describe. Respectfully, I see you are already thinking of going over that cliff with the other group of fish you want.

So..... what you stated in your post should work out just fine. As long as you are on top of your water changes, NEVER miss one, dont over-feed and keep the number of fish way down.

thx! i was actualy pondering on whether to get a cinnamon clown.:deadhorse:.. but i decided against it Now i need help designing my sump