Skimmerless

dontavo27

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#1
What’s up SCReefers. I wanted to get some feed back from the community, on people’s experiences with going skimmerless. My current tank is 40 gallon Visio with a 20 gallon sump.
I only have two clownfish in this tank.
My main goal for this set up is to Run a Mixed Reef. I was running a biopellet reactor, but after my nitrates being virtually undetectable via salifert, I took that reactor offline, and within time I lost a couple of acros. Fast forward a couple months now, and I’ve managed to keep some SPS, including some Montis, my Zoas seem to be doing best, I’ve added a couple of clams, and have kept a mix of LPS. My nitrates are still undectable via my salifert test kit. But I guess the question is, that if I had more filter feeding animals, like a larger clams, sponges,
feather dusters, etc.. is there really a reason to run a skimmer?
I’m currently running a Aquamaxx HOB 1.5 in sump, and it hardly seems to be skimming anything out. I feed PE flakes daily, enough so that my clowns stay healthy, and try to stick to weekly 5 gallon water changes.
Would it be possible run my system Skimmerless? Oh, and I also added Cheato to my Sump a couple of weeks ago, I’m running grow lights on my sump 24/7. Thanks for any feedback in advance.
 

Hunt3r

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#2
Ive turned off my skimmer for 4 months already. Zero nitrates and zero po4 but i have overstocked 40g aio mixed reef tank over feeding and still have 0 po4 and nitriates. Corals are doing ok just less polyp extension on my sps. I havent done water change too. So i guess you can have skimmerless tank.


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Instigate

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#3
I'm only a few months in after moving and downsizing my tank. But I've been running a 37 gallon AIO with 5 small fish, a mix of LPS, zoas and a few easy SPS with no skimmer and everything is doing great. I do ~30% water changes weekly though.
 

dontavo27

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#4
Ive turned off my skimmer for 4 months already. Zero nitrates and zero po4 but i have overstocked 40g aio mixed reef tank over feeding and still have 0 po4 and nitriates. Corals are doing ok just less polyp extension on my sps. I havent done water change too. So i guess you can have skimmerless tank.


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I'm only a few months in after moving and downsizing my tank. But I've been running a 37 gallon AIO with 5 small fish, a mix of LPS, zoas and a few easy SPS with no skimmer and everything is doing great. I do ~30% water changes weekly though.
I think I’m gonna try going skimmerless for sometime, again I only have two clown fish, I’m running cheato in the sump, doing weekly
Water changes, and planning to stock up on filter feeding livestock like clams etc. I’ll just have to watch my nutrient increase to play it safe.
Thanks again, Gus.
 
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#5
I’ve been able to keep a mixed reef without a skimmer. But from my experience, water changes can’t be skipped, proper dosing & good feeding practices are very key to keeping the tank locked in. Your best line of defense will be a solid cleanup crew. From brittle sea stars, a variety of snails like nassarius to turbos & margaritas, all types of crabs, an urchin & cucumber. All those critters are able to reach difficult areas you can’t reach.
 

dontavo27

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#9
So its been almost a month since I went skimmerless, I do have a decent clean up crew which consist of hermits and different snails.
I’ve been sticking to weekly 10% water changes, only feeding what my only 2 fish will eat, and running cheato in the sump with hydro grow spectrum on 24/7. My 1” drain pipe makes a lot bubbles when it drains into the sump, I’m sure that will make for sufficient oxygen in the aquarium. My coral have changed so much in a positive way, since I’ve made this change in my system,
I don’t think the colors in my coral have ever Looked this great.
Will have to find a way to post some good pictures.

I’ve been able to keep a mixed reef without a skimmer. But from my experience, water changes can’t be skipped, proper dosing & good feeding practices are very key to keeping the tank locked in. Your best line of defense will be a solid cleanup crew. From brittle sea stars, a variety of snails like nassarius to turbos & margaritas, all types of crabs, an urchin & cucumber. All those critters are able to reach difficult areas you can’t reach.
I'd say if the corals and tank are happy then keep the skimmer in. Another thing the skimmer helps with is oxygenation and maintaining Ph.
I’m running a skimmerless non media tank outside it’s doing great. Main battle is the cold weather
 
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