SPS only tank....run it skimmerless?

[joem1cha3l]

Is this an option guys? i want to get one of the clear for life tanks off of marine depot and im just curious....is it possible to run an SPS only tank (zero fish) without a skimmer?

 

[xian]

Sure. Especially with minimal fish. If you change the water frequently and make sure that everything is stable. This would be easier in a larger tank.

 

[Elan L.]

just get a skimmer. Your going to get one in the future i garuntee it. How big is the tank?

 

[joem1cha3l]

ttt

 

[E.intheC]

you'll find people who are on both sides of the fence here. I personally think you should get a skimmer, especially because you're going for sps, which require near perfect water quality. Your signature says you have a 29 gall with a tunze skimmer? that is likely fine for the new tank, depending on size

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Agreed, in the long run you’re more than likely going to incorporate a skimmer.

 

[marinelife]

Yes you can, I my current tank is 2 years old with no skimmer and all SPS. Before that my other tank was 7 years old with no skimmer and SPS.
The tank is not going to be 100% clean but the corals look just as good as anyone with a skimmer. It can be done if setup correctly.

 

[jbird69]

It CAN be done. But it would be kind of like an amatuer golfer asking if its possible to birdie every hole. And Tiger Woods answers, sure it is, Ive done it before. I know thats very extreme, but look at marinelifes hobby experience and current tanks! He's paid some dues, I gaurantee it. You will save so much money by buying a good skimmer and not struggling to keep expensive corals healthy and alive. Once you get a real good "green thumb" and you REALLY know what to look for in aquarium health and maintanace, the sky is the limit.

 

[Gtstricky]

A skimmer will do more good then harm.
Not having a skimmer could do more harm then good.

 

[shaginwagon13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14766832#post14766832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elan L.
just get a skimmer. Your going to get one in the future i garuntee it. How big is the tank?

+1!!

 

[hamiltonguy]

As said above, it CAN be done but it's just more work without one.

 

[stingythingy45]

My condolences for your future loses if you don't run a skimmer.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14777297#post14777297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbird69
It CAN be done. But it would be kind of like an amatuer golfer asking if its possible to birdie every hole. And Tiger Woods answers, sure it is, Ive done it before.

Good analogy.
well said!!

 

[FullFathomFive]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14777533#post14777533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stingythingy45
My condolences for your future loses if you don't run a skimmer.

Lol!

 

[litenyaup]

i was trying to run my 90 with out a skimmer but i caved and found that it is a lot easier to just have one. my water is clearer and the livestock seems to be happier! i have just a proclear wet/dry and matching skimmer and they both work fine!!

 

[marinelife]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14777533#post14777533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stingythingy45
My condolences for your future loses if you don't run a skimmer.

Seems silly!!

My only loss has been from AEFWs, Fish and Corals are doing great.
It can be done and done well.

 

[Deftones2015]

It can be done, but a lot of work imo. I tried it with a 29 gallon lps tank and caved in and got a skimmer. I ran it with a deep sand bed fed the fish every other day and did 10 gallon water changes weekly. Everything looked fine but a skimmer made a world of difference in the colors and I'd say over all health of the livestock. I've heard of various systems that utilize methods of filtration like muds and other various methods but most take a few years to really become effective.

 

[ReefWreak]

It can definitely be done without fish. But your SPS will never look good, because they'll be missing the nutrients, because you won't be feeding your tank, because feeding a tank without a skimmer and without constant large waterchanges will build up nutrients, even with a fuge or whatever else.

And you don't want to just do large water changes, because your SPS will hate that, if not die from all the quick water changes.