WMAS Discussion Forum : Skimmers

WMAS Discussion Forum : Skimmers http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:33:52 +0000 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:47:06 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=43261 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Skimmers : I run a small refugium and a skimmer....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375197&title=skimmers#375197 Author: DLindquist
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 09 2010 at 11:47pm

I run a small refugium and a skimmer. Some day I will upgrade both. In the few instances my skimmer has been down, (as I run 24/7) I notice my PH drops also. The benefits of a skimmer far out way any possible down side in my opinion.]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:47:06 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375197&title=skimmers#375197 <![CDATA[Skimmers : Mark I went there and saw very...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375118&title=skimmers#375118 Author: bugzme
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 09 2010 at 3:58pm

Mark I went there and saw very few sps but it doesn't really matter to me! If you did grow sps to make money that's great. I can't grow macro! LOL

Edited by bugzme - September 09 2010 at 3:59pm]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:58:28 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375118&title=skimmers#375118 <![CDATA[Skimmers : Mark, Let's say you go skimmerless...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375116&title=skimmers#375116 Author: Ryan Thompson
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 09 2010 at 3:53pm

Mark,

Let's say you go skimmerless and decide a refugium is better for nutrient export. You throw some chaeto into the refugium and let it remove nitrates and phosphates.

Now I set up the same tank and decide to put a skimmer in instead. The biological functions happen and now we need to remove nitrates and phosphates. Throw in some carbon source to feed the bacteria that eats the nutrients. Now the skimmer can remove those nutrients.

In both setups the same thing has happened. Nutrients have been exported. Correct?

Skimmers aren't an end all for tanks. A skimmer doesn't guarantee success but it sure helps. Studies have also revealed that skimmers can only pull out so much TOC. Thus you must have a good bio filter going on. Even the best bio filter can miss nutrients IMO. That is where my skimmer comes in.

Neither way is wrong but both are right. I wouldn't keep a tank if I had to stare at algae and a refugium. Therefore a skimmer makes sense to me.]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:53:54 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375116&title=skimmers#375116 <![CDATA[Skimmers : A skimmer can help, but is not...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375075&title=skimmers#375075 Author: MadReefer
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 09 2010 at 11:52am

A skimmer can help, but is not needed. I have a skimmer setup on the tank I'm taking care of, but I've run skimmerless in the past.

Sure, if most people removed their skimmer and continued to do the same things, the tank might go down hill. But it's not too hard to setup a successful reef without a skimmer. Need is a strong word and doesn't apply to a skimmer for a successful reef. Biofiltration, for sure is needed to be successful.

]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:52:04 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375075&title=skimmers#375075 <![CDATA[Skimmers : Again, a skimmer is not part of...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375060&title=skimmers#375060 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 09 2010 at 10:55am

Again, a skimmer is not part of the biofiltration. Biofiltration is THE most important part of the reef aquarium.

Jeff, if you want to see pics of SPS growing without a Skimmer go to the Tips and How To's section of the thread linked below and see the one about some of my aquariums over the years. Also, while you were out of the hobby for those 4-5 years, I was farming coral of all types for part of my living. It grew very well and never needed a Skimmer. I have more pics I can show you if those are not enough.

An open mind is a good thing. Wink

]]> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:55:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=375060&title=skimmers#375060 <![CDATA[Skimmers : So how about some pic's of...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374947&title=skimmers#374947 Author: bugzme
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 08 2010 at 6:36pm

So how about some pic's of your tank? I would really like to see what you have going on.]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:36:17 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374947&title=skimmers#374947 <![CDATA[Skimmers : I don't run a skimmer on...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374944&title=skimmers#374944 Author: arthuriv
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 08 2010 at 6:27pm

I don't run a skimmer on any of my tanks. I may in the distant future but for now no.]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:27:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374944&title=skimmers#374944 <![CDATA[Skimmers : Most of the people that don't...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374937&title=skimmers#374937 Author: bugzme
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 08 2010 at 6:03pm

Most of the people that don't use a skimmer don't grow alot of sps! There might be a very small percentage that can but I really haven't seen many. I would really like to see an sps dominant tank without a skimmer.

Edited by bugzme - September 08 2010 at 6:06pm]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:03:14 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374937&title=skimmers#374937 <![CDATA[Skimmers : I thought the % of skimmers would...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374932&title=skimmers#374932 Author: Chris Scott
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 08 2010 at 5:27pm

I thought the % of skimmers would be higher than even 80%. I just started using one, however, I totally respect the hobbyists that don't. It requires a more sensitive balance and understanding of your tank!]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:27:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374932&title=skimmers#374932 <![CDATA[Skimmers : Ryan Thompson wrote: Mark...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374923&title=skimmers#374923 Author: bugzme
Subject: 43261
Posted: September 08 2010 at 4:43pm

Ryan Thompson wrote:

Mark Peterson wrote:

Julian Sprung, one of the foremost authors in this hobby, has said that a reef aquarium can be set up to do well without a Skimmer, but cannot survive without adequate biofiltration.

You can not separate the two like so many people do. I totally consider my skimmer as part of the biofiltration process in my tank. To say or suggest otherwise is crazy talk.

With all the crap it pulls out, I can't imagine not running mine.

I agree completely! Askimmer is a big part of my overall tank health!!

Mark, I wonder why almost 80% of the people in the club run them? Could it be because they want to give their tank every opportunity to thrive? I believe so.

Edited by bugzme - September 08 2010 at 4:46pm]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:43:12 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43261&PID=374923&title=skimmers#374923