Sw Without A Skimmer?

[drsquirrel]

Having previous experience with Tropical, I am now looking at setting up a Marine tank.

I have read up for the last few months, and one thing I am confused about most, is the use of a Skimmer.

Generally it seems that people use them, but not everyone. The stickies here, one of the thread says its a minimum, although I have seen tanks being run without them at all, just using filtration.


My plan is roughly, run FOWL, and after about a year, look at corals/anemones, whatever seems suitable at that time.
Rough fish stock idea comprises of, Pair of Clowns, Blennies, Shrimp, Hermit Crabs to start.


Tank size I have that I plan to use is a 130l (28g, 34 us g), 5 stage internal filter and currently has 2x T8 Aqua-Glo and Sun-Glo. I realise I should replace these, but with which... T5 Marine, Power or Life-Glo? And what sort of Wattage?


What problems could not running a Skimmer cause?
Edit: Just to add, I have searched here, and I've seen that some people don't, I'm just wondering what issues I could come across without one.



I've not seen many(any) sw setups that have plants in them, its only just come to my mind now... does anyone have plants in their setup?


Thanks

 

[ben1987]

the reef is an ultra low nutrient environment, you want to replicate this as near as possible dont ya?
ive ran skimmerless before and the difference my skimmer makes is massive.
There are ways of running without one like an eco system with algae andmud sump.

 

[seffieuk]

Having previous experience with Tropical, I am now looking at setting up a Marine tank.

I have read up for the last few months, and one thing I am confused about most, is the use of a Skimmer.

ahhh it confuses us all to start with

Generally it seems that people use them, but not everyone. The stickies here, one of the thread says its a minimum, although I have seen tanks being run without them at all, just using filtration.

Most people with large tanks use them, some smaller nano tanks don't

My plan is roughly, run FOWL, and after about a year, look at corals/anemones, whatever seems suitable at that time.
Rough fish stock idea comprises of, Pair of Clowns, Blennies, Shrimp, Hermit Crabs to start.

You don't need to wait a year for corals. anemones, over six months is a minimum


Tank size I have that I plan to use is a 130l (28g, 34 us g), 5 stage internal filter and currently has 2x T8 Aqua-Glo and Sun-Glo. I realise I should replace these, but with which... T5 Marine, Power or Life-Glo? And what sort of Wattage?

About the same as my first tank. What five stage filtration, this might be a problem, can you explain please? The lighting will be ok for fowl or indeed fish only with things like mushrooms


What problems could not running a Skimmer cause?

Increase in undissolved organics causing pollution in the tank

Edit: Just to add, I have searched here, and I've seen that some people don't, I'm just wondering what issues I could come across without one.

I wouldn't be without one

I've not seen many(any) sw setups that have plants in them, its only just come to my mind now... does anyone have plants in their setup?

Think you probably mean algaes - yeah they do look kinda cool


Thanks

Seffie x

 

[drsquirrel]

Thanks for the replies

A year is just a rough idea, I'm patient and time isn't an issue. If things are going great, then I would consider it earlier.


I did mean to say in the previous post. The filter is a Hagen BioLife 55. I can't find that much info on it, although I think it won't have enough throughput, im not sure what I am going to do about this yet.


So the T8 Aqua/Sun will be fine for fish now? I will change them sometime, just nice to know I can leave it for a bit at first.

 

[Mr._Fishy]

The light will be fine. The type of light really doesn't matter much with fish only.

 

[seffieuk]

I don't know anything about this filter but if it is the sort of filter that has bio noodles, foam etc, then forget it unless you are going to run it empty of foam etc and put in rowaphos, live rock rubble

Seffie x

 

[drsquirrel]

Yea it's that type.

I've already thrown the foam away, need to work out how much space I will have for filter media.


I'm not sure how much I will need and how much Live Rock I would need to help support this "small" filter

 

[SkiFletch]

The lights will indeed be fine for now. Just make sure to change them to a marine spectrum T8. If you have the freshwater lights with lots of red wavelength in them, you'll run the risk of encouraging nuisance algae. Best to stick with marine spectrum tubes, maybe one 10000K, the other 14000K or even 20000K

 

[drsquirrel]

Well the bulbs in there currently are 4,200k(sun-glo) and 18,000k (aqua-glo, same K as power-glo...?)

So if I replaced the 4200k, what would you suggest?

 

[ben1987]

the 18000k will be quite blue.
Maybe a 10k to go with it. Down to personal preferance too. Some people dont like the blue looking tanks some do

 

[kj23502]

There are really nice tanks w/skimmers and really nice ones w/out. You're going to hear some sides for both. I have one on my 29 usg, by the way.

Where you can run into trouble in the tank is over feeding and slacking on water changes. Not a good thing to do. Skimmers don't replace water changes, they just pull the junk out of water before it pollutes it.

I wouldn't recommend an anemone in a 28g though. The easy bubble tipped nem's that are best for beginners can easily swell to half the size of the tank or so. Not much room for fish or anything else.