Skimmerless with TBS?

[fishless]

I'm doing a 20 gallon long and I want to use the package. I've never used a skimmer with a nano reef before, though. Weekly water changes always seem to be enough.

Anyone here think it would be impossible to go without a skimmer on a 20g tank with TBS? I'm worried the TBS has so much life on it, the bioload will be huge and the skimmer will be necessary. Any thoughts?

 

[snooter1]

My skimmer (euroreef) is working overtime especially when you first add the rock. I would reconmend a skimmer. Larger tank but more rock as well.

 

[boyooso]

I have a 50g and a 40 gallon that are plumbed together. I have gone off and on with skimming. I definately see some things come and go when the skimmer is off or on.

Some sponges do MUCH better without the skimmer, and I think some of the corals too.

Generally, I didin't see a difference in nitrates, apart from when I didn't have enough flow in one of the tanks.

keep us informed, I'd like to know your experience with the 20g

 

[fishless]

Thanks for the info. I think I will get the skimmer, just to be safe. I'm just hoping it won't pull too much good stuff out of the water. I'm planning to do weekly 10% water changes to add trace elements back. I don't want to do a lot of extra dosing on this tank. Hrm.

Couple more questions if anyone has a minute:

Anyone here ever had success with buying a smaller package for their tank? Like I was thinking of getting the 15 gallon package for my 20 gallon long. This tank's going to be viewable from all sides, so I'm not sure I can stack THAT much rock in it.

Also, I have a skunk cleaner shrimp in my 7 gallon that I just adore. If I put in a TBS tank, would he prolly get eaten? That would suck.

Thanks!

 

[Dexter1334]

I have a skimmer in my 125. I also set up a 40 without the skimmer. THe first few weeks the skimmer worked hard in the 125, but since then I get almost nothing out of it. I set up the 40 without the skimmer, just doing water changes. I use the water from the 125 to replace the water in the 40, and dump the waste from the 40. I haven't had any trouble at all with the 40.

I have sponges growing, lots of crabs, a flame angel, and a small mantis all doing well. I had the 40 laying around and initially just set it up as a place to dump my undesirable hitchhikers from my 125. I was thinking of setting it up as a refugium for my 125 as soon as I can figure out how to fit it.