Turn off skimmer?

[PupChow]

I think it really depends on what you are keeping or thinking of keeping. Some corals require pristine water condition and some prefer nutrient rich water. My tank has no skimmer but I stick to softies, LPS and hardier SPS and they are doing well. Does have keep up with water change though.

[Reefoholic]

On my 14 gal I didn't have a skimmer for a while and my SPS were not happy at all. Now that I am running my skimmer 24/7 everybody seems to enjoy the water quality. When I didn't have a skimmer I was very good at keeping with the water changes tho. Now that I run the skimmer all the time I supplement the LPS and other filter feeding corals with marine snow and zooplankton.

[rocko918]

i am not going to talk to all you points but what nutrients does said skimmer of death take out? our tanks are far from the natural world of the sea. I am just afraid your going to cause more problems by taking it off line just to grow shrimp and snails. I have tons of pods and mysid shrimp in my tank.

 

also you gonna wanna have more flow in your frag tank then less. I say stick with the skimmer, get it running well and grow your shrimp in your fuge.

 

if you wanna go with the "flow" then keep the skimmer on your system. there are not many systems your size that are skimmer less. yes it can be done, I did it on a 12 gal nano for years. everyone says ask rob, well guess what Rob added a skimmer to that system.

 

I dont see the logic in your case.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

I agree, I think you should keep the skimmer and put the shrimp in the fuge. Toss the snail and get an ato hooked up, you will be suprised at what will breed in the tank with the skimmer running. Skimmer of death... Heh sorry that was pretty funny, when I read that I saw a big black loud skimmer with skull and crossbones on it sitting in a sump shaking back and fourth...

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

What skimmer are you using right now?

 

 

[LanglandJoshua]

An Avast compact skimmer, pump goes under cone to save on the footprint.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

Is it new? If not you might try cleaning the pump real good it might not be running right and if your water level is not stable from not having a top off then it might be just as good to take it off until you get an ato setup. Just a thought.

[LanglandJoshua]

I know you love ATO's, believe me I am working on it. I need to get another power strip for my controller. I already have the switches. However with my sump I fill it every day. A system of 130 gallons, I replace 2-4 gallons every two days from my RO/DI. The temp and salinity are very stable(temp +-.4, salinity +-.002). The skimmer works great, even when I clean it. But I have to wait until company leaves today. I don't think they would appreciate that lol...

 

So the bottom line is that the pump is clean, and working properly. Its the lack of crap, in the CLEAN water. Also that my water currents push food away from my overflow. So i dont waste so much of it. Come on over if you disagree, Paul and Amanda. You guys know where I am. If not I can send you my "Addy".

 

I can tell you right know my plans, build a new stand, set up the ATO, new lights, B-ionic dosing. From then on, it's what I want like an MP40ES. It's a constantly evolving tank, and I promise you the ATO is coming!

[LanglandJoshua]

Speaking of getting my stuff ready to turn off the skimmer, who wants my carnivorous snail? I need it gone, if you can come get it. Then it's yours.

[treesprite]

The ghetto style ATO, which I did for a long time, is to drip water using airline with a valve coming from a bucket of RO higher than the sump. Adjust the valve to a drip rate that you know won't overflow the tank. I was accurate enough that I only had to add water manually about once a week.

[LanglandJoshua]

Lol, I like that! But Im just gonna wait a week or two. And place my BRS order. I'm contemplating another group buy. Some guys said to not to do it so often, so I'm just placing my own orders.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

I think I will pass on coming over. Just trying to help, I remember when I had to add buckets of water to the tank everyday, it made everything not as fun after a while.

 

 

[LanglandJoshua]

Oh, definately. But Im still in the honeymoon fase with my controller, and weirded out that I don't have to touch my lights anymore lol...so I will get the ATO. but it's not in the top of the list.

[basser9]

You need to goggle the articles from advanced aquarist dealing with TOC in a saltwater tank.

Skimmers were pretty much shown to not be needed but running some carbon was a must.

Pretty much ready advanced aquarist should put you on the right track.....

[CaptainRon]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature

 

Interesting article. I think this is the one you're referring to, basser.

[basser9]

My link

 

Heres the article that helps understand running a skimmerless tank.

 

The skimmer article is one of my faverites even after reading it most

people will still not get why beckett /downdraft type skimmers are still the

top skimmers you can run.

Edited June 5, 2011 by basser9

[treesprite]

...so I will get the ATO. but it's not in the top of the list.

 

I remember all the things that were not at the top of my list that should have been.... I have learned that it isn't always good to prioritize other than for things like lights, pumps, and livestock.

[LanglandJoshua]

I remember all the things that were not at the top of my list that should have been.... I have learned that it isn't always good to prioritize other than for things like lights, pumps, and livestock.

This week, I plan on getting a Tunze setup from SteveTheOutlaw. In a couple weeks, finishing up my ATO. During that time I should be getting my stand built. After that, lights.