Skimming

[Betta5]

Could i use a skimmer instead of live rock in a 10-20 gallon tank

 

[Betta5]

Please answer!!!

 

[SkiFletch]

Nope, skimmers and live rock perform two different functions in the marine environment. A skimmer cannot process ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate anywhere near as efficiently as live rock.

 

[rhysiboy]

if you had live rock say in a 15g would you also need a skimmer?

 

[maidenfan]

in a tank as small as that i'd say no skimming is not essential as long as you have enough live rock to do your biological filtration for you and you did regular small water changes

 

[pleder]

Again skimming and liverock perform different functions.

It really depends on your bioload, feeding habits, nd what you want to keep in the system.

 

[Mr.September15]

Yeah, plus you wont want to be spending 100 bucks on a skimmer especially for a 10gallon its sooo not worth it IMO.

 

[PaulasPets]

You could always make a cheap DIY skimmer.

Paula

 

[steelhealr]

In general, and this is very debatable, nano tanks under 30 gallons can be managed with weekly 10% water changes. Remember, skimming and live rock do TWO DIFFERENT things, but, the end result is the same...reducing nitrates.

Live rock processes ammonia via the nitrogen cycle and, in some cases, will denitrify nitrate into nitrogen gas in areas of the live rock where anaerobic conditions exist.

Skimming, on the other hand, removes DSO's, dissolved organic substances which can BREAK DOWN to form ammonia, etc. Skimming does NOT remove ammonia or nitrates per se. Thus, skimming can remove products within the water column which can contribute to nitrate production.

IMO, skimming is totally unnecessary on tanks 10 gallons or less, debatable on nano tanks 10-30 gallons in size and beneficial on tanks 30G and greater. This is MY OPINION only and YOU must formulate your OWN based on experience. Nano reefing is an art. SH

 

[Betta5]

thanks everyone!!!