Skimmer died, how long til problems occur?

[serbusfish]

I came home from work today to find my skimmer not running. I took the pump to pieces and soaked it in D-D Ezeclean for 3 hours. I rinsed and put it back together and although it worked it was very noisy, so I took it back apart and it was quite hot, I couldnt keep my finger in the impeller shaft because of the heat. Now it wont start again.

It is going to take at least 3 days to get a new motor for the pump, how are my corals going to be during this time? I have quite a few SPS pieces, a few Acros, Birdsnest, some Monti's. I also have a leather coral and as I run Carbon in my skimmer now that is out of action as well.

Will I need to do any water changes? Shall I feed less?

[carrots]

Don't stress out. You should be fine. I would cut back on the feedings or the amount of each feeding. I have a 125 with a lot of SPS, LPS, & fish and in three years never ran a skimmer. Keep an eye on your corals; they'll let you know if they are stressing and need a water change.

[ca1ore]

Agree that it's nothing to worry about. I always keep spares of things that cannot be done without for 2-day prime shipping; skimmer parts are not on that list.

[T Haynes]

Getting a new motor for the pump, shipped. Is gonna be cheaper than picking a new one up at a store?

[nuttyd]

Might see that your corals are more colorful with the skimmer out. Mine are happy without.

[jbm421]

Lots of people don't even run them with successful tanks. You will be fine. Even with a very heavily stocked tank you would be good unless it's heavily stocked and a small system but if your worried I would just do as it has already been said and cut back on the feedings. Just don't feed heavily and +1 to the corals might look better comment it just sometimes don't last long if your not doing water changes for a month or two either (old tank I neglected many years ago taught me this) lol.

[BrianKC]

I did a WC a couple days before a 5-day trip. Had a trusted person looking after the tank but didn't realize I failed to turn the skimmer back on until I got home. Everything was fine. Actually the LPS were happier. You've got a few days at least.

[serbusfish]

OK I am less nervous now. I have 8 fish in my 75 gallon and I do 15% water changes once a week. Nitrates normally are around 2. After 48 hours with no skimmer they are still at 2.

Could I perhaps get away with not even running the skimmer? I had a crazy idea of sticking some cheato in it (its a hang on skimmer) and use it as a refugium. That is of course if my nitrates dont start to skyrocket.

[billdogg]

My 150DT/120 refugium/50 sump system has been without a skimmer for about 20 years. I'm not too worried yet.

hth

[smatter]

My 150DT/120 refugium/50 sump system has been without a skimmer for about 20 years. I'm not too worried yet.

hth

:spin1:

[Ou8me2]

OK I am less nervous now. I have 8 fish in my 75 gallon and I do 15% water changes once a week. Nitrates normally are around 2. After 48 hours with no skimmer they are still at 2.

Could I perhaps get away with not even running the skimmer? I had a crazy idea of sticking some cheato in it (its a hang on skimmer) and use it as a refugium. That is of course if my nitrates dont start to skyrocket.

You should be just fine. I think a skimmer I think is convenience more than a requirement. Heck 20 years ago you wouldn't have seen many running skimmers period or if they did they didn't do it 24/7. Many successful tanks have been kept without a skimmer period and have thrived. I'm not gonna tell you that you do or don't need a skimmer.

[A1t2o]

Mine died about a year ago and still haven't replaced. I do have an undersized ATS that really helps though. A skimmer is recommended but not necessary. It really helps for spikes in the bioload like when something dies.

[serbusfish]

Mine died about a year ago and still haven't replaced. I do have an undersized ATS that really helps though. A skimmer is recommended but not necessary. It really helps for spikes in the bioload like when something dies.

Im going to keep monitoring nitrates and if they dont increase I dont see why I should be running a skimmer really?

Also, what does ATS stand for? Because it does seem people who dont run skimmers seem to use something else instead (refugiums, canitster filters, etc).

[apcoleman]

Also, what does ATS stand for?

Algae Turf Scrubber

[Dmorty217]

My 150DT/120 refugium/50 sump system has been without a skimmer for about 20 years. I'm not too worried yet.

hth

I was going to quote something similar to this...:beer:

[anbosu]

OK I am less nervous now. I have 8 fish in my 75 gallon and I do 15% water changes once a week. Nitrates normally are around 2. After 48 hours with no skimmer they are still at 2.

Could I perhaps get away with not even running the skimmer? I had a crazy idea of sticking some cheato in it (its a hang on skimmer) and use it as a refugium. That is of course if my nitrates dont start to skyrocket.

My 90 SPS has no skimmer, only a refugium, although I only have 6 fish in it.

[serbusfish]

It seems my nitrates are rising, they are currently around 10. Corals seem fine but I did a 15% water change today and will do another on Sunday. Hopefully my replacement part will arrive Monday.

[Ou8me2]

It seems my nitrates are rising, they are currently around 10. Corals seem fine but I did a 15% water change today and will do another on Sunday. Hopefully my replacement part will arrive Monday.

I guess that should answer if you need a skimmer or not question. Sounds like a good plan till your part arrives. Good Luck!

[HefeWeizen]

I'm skimmerless now and use a refuge with caulerpa, chaeto and a DIY ATS.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/ANEMONEBUFF/FF095053-A909-4E5C-938C-2AAECE989645.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/ANEMONEBUFF/media/FF095053-A909-4E5C-938C-2AAECE989645.jpg.html)

ATS after one week:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/ANEMONEBUFF/BA1969B3-A34A-4F44-912C-2618825B7BCF.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/ANEMONEBUFF/media/BA1969B3-A34A-4F44-912C-2618825B7BCF.jpg.html)

[BigCountry74]

Water changes to export the nitrates and u should be ok. U can't really do anything else in 3 days that's actually going to do anything. That's simply not enough time lol

[CoralBeauty13]

My return pump went out and I couldn't get a strong enough one from the store, so shipping was the only way. Took four days and I had no problems. Did one water change and powerheads to circulate the top water. Everyone was fine. Truth seems that the corals liked it better. But My overfed tank needs the skimmer..I'm such a sucker for feeding fish.

[serbusfish]

Skimmer is back up and running! But my nitrate is between 15 and 20, a few corals dont look happy, a green acro frag is going brown and for some reason my fungia's tentacles have gone from red to clear. Everything else looks OK, but i'll be doing a series of water changes to get it back down.