View Full Version : Importance of skimming
Vanquishxxxx
08/21/2006, 04:43 PM
Right now my tank is 5 months old and i am pretty happy rite now with what i have. My nitrates stay at a steady 10-20 and it is a fish only tnak with LR and 4 inch sand bed. My bioload is low and i do not plan on anythign else for awhile. I unfortunatly have never had a skimmmer on it. I am in the process of finding one . how long can i go before i run into problems
GlobaLPimP
08/21/2006, 04:50 PM
That would depend on MANY different things regarding your set-up and maintenance. However, there are many people that have success without running a skimmer. If I were you, I'd get one as soon as possible because it helps a great deal by giving you a bit more room for error regarding over feeding, O2 level,nitrate level, gas exchange, etc...
loyalty
08/21/2006, 04:50 PM
you'll find all sorts of replies to that question, some love skimmers and some don't see a need for them, especially with a low bioload and weekly water changes
mg426
08/21/2006, 05:26 PM
There are arguments to be made for both sides of the story, However when I see and can smell the nasty crud my G3 pulls out of my 125 I got to wonder Do I want that in my Tank???
jasper24
08/21/2006, 05:34 PM
I had a successful reef for 9 months without a skimmer. I had various corals (LPS, Clams, Softies) and only 4 fish in my 58G. I did weekly water changes of 10%. I finally decided to get a skimmer several months ago and now am glad that I did. After you use one and see the filth that they pull from the water you will never look back.
masterqaz
08/21/2006, 05:40 PM
i would recommend having a skimmer on a fish only system for the stated things before me. You dont really need one its just in your best interest. Though if it were a reef tank with out fish i wouldnt both putting one on simply because corals dont really add a bio load.
davocean
08/21/2006, 05:45 PM
A skimmer is one of the very best things you can add if you're looking for long term success.
Vanquishxxxx
08/21/2006, 06:09 PM
ok thanks, i plan on getting one jsut was making sure if it was like another month my tank wouldnt jsut like suffer.
davocean
08/21/2006, 06:57 PM
Not that big of a rush, especially fish only.
Your nitrates could start to get a little higher, but fish aren't affected really.
I ran my tank for a couple years w/out one(not that I recommend that) fish only.
When I went to corals and especially after getting better lights, I started to get algae blooms up the wazzoo due to nitrates and phosphates increase.
Vanquishxxxx
08/22/2006, 12:24 AM
yeah i figure since i have NO lights i wont have and havtn had any algea blooms, Ok well thanks everyone
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