WMAS Discussion Forum : How important is a skimmer?

WMAS Discussion Forum : How important is a skimmer? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:51:27 +0000 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:27:46 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=46676 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : If I had a decent skimmer I would...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400466&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400466 Author: Summertop
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 16 2011 at 9:27am

If I had a decent skimmer I would probably use it. I had one for a while, but it was junk. So, I am not running a skimmer. I also use tap water for top-off. I don't do water changes. I don't even run U.V.

I will be on the Reef Tour this year, so...stop by and see my systems.

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:27:46 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400466&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400466 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : Oh great...now I gota learn to...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400463&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400463 Author: Summertop
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 16 2011 at 9:24am

Oh great...now I gota learn to skin cats for this hobby?]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:24:28 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400463&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400463 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : I realize you may do things differently,...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400452&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400452 Author: CapnMorgan
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 16 2011 at 3:29am

I realize you may do things differently, but there are a million ways to run a successful aquarium. There are definite benefits to water changes, besides reducing nutrients it replenishes trace elements, among other things. I have seen definite benefits to running a skimmer on my tanks and that is, besides it acting as an insurance policy in case of a large die off. There is more than one way to skin a cat.]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:29:24 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400452&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400452 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : Excess nutrients controlled with...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400451&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400451 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 16 2011 at 2:48am

Excess nutrients controlled with water changes? I see it differently. I have set up lots of smaller tanks from 2-30 gals and have never relied on water changes to control pollution. Rather, I grow algae, bacteria, bugs, and worms to take care of waste. There are no "excess nutrients" in a properly stocked and adequately filtered reef aquarium. The bio-filtration grows to meet the need. I use no outside filters. Here is one of my 10 gal tanks.

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:48:18 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400451&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400451 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : Jimmyjet92 wrote:Is it important...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400401&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400401 Author: CapnMorgan
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 15 2011 at 8:36pm

Jimmyjet92 wrote:

Is it important to have a skimmer on just a 10 gallon tank? I am new to the hobby and loving it already.

In a ten gallon tank your nitrates and excess nutrients can be managed by water changes. Just be sure not to over stock the tank, and not get complacent with your maintenance. Water chemistry changes much faster in smaller tanks thank in large ones just due to the amount of water involved. Skimmers are most important in heavily stocked tanks, tanks running on a bacterial driven system, or if you are wanting to keep a lot of SPS corals.

]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:36:07 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400401&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400401 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : Is it important to have a skimmer...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400398&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400398 Author: Jimmyjet92
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 15 2011 at 8:18pm

Is it important to have a skimmer on just a 10 gallon tank? I am new to the hobby and loving it already. ]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:18:36 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=400398&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#400398 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : Wow!Thank you all who responded....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399549&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399549 Author: ninja_brandon
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 10 2011 at 10:48pm

Wow!

Thank you all who responded. This has truly helped to calm my nervous mind about my broken skimmer.

My tank is heavily stocked with coral ranging from softies to sps. I have less sps coral than lps and softies however while I was running my skimmer my sps grew at a moderate pace. Since I have to wait for up to two months for this skimmer I may as well see if I notice a difference in growth with my sps.

It appears as though both sides have good points of interest to offer. :D

]]> Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:48:07 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399549&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399549 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : I agree with both sides of this...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399408&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399408 Author: bfessler
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 10 2011 at 12:29pm

I agree with both sides of this argument. I've found that my LPS and soft corals benefit from a non skimmed environment but the SPS grow much better since I added the skimmer. I have a blue tort that's been in my frag tank for over a year now and barely grew until I set up my skimmer a couple months ago. Now there are at least 30 new branches forming and the other SPS are doing better as well. LPS growth has slowed on the other hand.

I do find that my tank that is exposed to sunlight for about 4 hours each day also has outstanding growth and color without much additional algae growth so If you can get sunlight into the tank take advantage of it.

]]> Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:29:32 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399408&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399408 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : I must point out that my non-skimmed...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399405&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399405 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 10 2011 at 12:16pm

I must point out that my non-skimmed tanks illuminated by the sun with supplemental electric lighting grow all coral very well, including all stony coral. See the pic of the chalice below that doubled in size in a few months in the sun.

I say again. A skimmer is an option, not a necessity.

The colorful part of the Chalice is that way because of the actinic fluorescent light reflecting off of it. The top edge is shaded from the fluorescent light. The bright sun had passed by the time this pic was taken. Diffused sunlight is coming in from the top of the photo.

Next pic is a field of Zoanthids that received a lot of sunlight. The person that gave me the frag was utterly amazed at the number of polyps in such a short time and that they were 3 times as large as the ones in his skimmed and MH illuminated tank.

Here is the full tank pic:

Edited by Mark Peterson - February 10 2011 at 12:22pm]]> Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:16:27 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399405&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399405 <![CDATA[How important is a skimmer? : kellerexpress wrote:Something...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399344&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399344 Author: CapnMorgan
Subject: 46676
Posted: February 10 2011 at 4:07am

kellerexpress wrote:

Something else to consider is what kind of tank you plan on running. Sps dominated systems need cleaner water. A tank with more softies and lps tolerate dirtier water.

Amen to that. If you plan on keeping a lot of SPS, specifically acros; you need a good skimmer.

]]> Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:07:12 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46676&PID=399344&title=how-important-is-a-skimmer#399344