I started my tank roughly Nov, 27 2010. Doing 10/15g water changes a week. I was not running a skimmer until 6 days ago. Corals and fish seemed ok before. Then i added the skimmer 3 or 4 days later, Water became crystal clear, corals popped in size somewhat more color. ditris cut down by at least 85% used to have corners loaded with detris now its basically gone. (don’t know if i spelled ditris correctly)
Basically my tank has a cleaner look. not to mention the benefits for the water quality. Fish look happier. Or it could just be me with over excitement cause of my newly installed skimmer.
Don’t tell that to Rosti. He has a system that he does and it doesn’t required a protein skimmer. Not really sure what he does, but it really works for him cause his tank really looks awsome, in the picture anyway cause I haven’t seen his tank in person. I’m sure he can share his secret with you if you really interested.
I for one believes in protein skimmer, due to the fact that my tank is highly stocked. It really help keep my tank water clean.
[quote=“reefman66, post:3, topic:4106”]
Don’t tell that to Rosti. He has a system that he does and it doesn’t required a protein skimmer. Not really sure what he does, but it really works for him cause his tank really looks awsome, in the picture anyway cause I haven’t seen his tank in person. I’m sure he can share his secret with you if you really interested.
I for one believes in protein skimmer, due to the fact that my tank is highly stocked. It really help keep my tank water clean. [/quote]
I think large skimmers are necessary, unless you can provide completed food web.
“When all of the guilds or levels of “food processors” are in place and all have enough to eat, very little soluble food makes it into the water column.” Sand Bed Secrets by Dr.Ron Shimek.
Small daily WC helps too
Anyone would like to check out my reef tank are welcome!
I do, small 2 gal. It takes 5 min max, nothing gets shuts down. No one in tank even knows what happens. Drain 2 gal from connection in sump, put 2 gal in, make mix for next day, and all done while frozen food defrosts. Best insurance policy for your tank.
[quote=“Cash4Cars, post:8, topic:4106”]
doesnt sound bad at all. what made you choose that method of filtration ? [/quote]
If you talking about WC, and think it does very little filtration in my case, DSB, fuge and GFO/Carbon do the most. I just use WC as insurance policy so don’t make chemical soup out of my tank, and it does help keep water chemistry stable. Also it forces me to look things over make sure no leaks, ect.
One of the best parts of this system is extremely low maintenance, I don’t remember last time I had my hands wet or put them in tank. Quick/non invasive WC, clean lights and change GFO/carbon once a week, clean front glass every 2 weeks and prune macro-algae whenever, THATS IT. The most maintenance is to feed fish 3-4 time a day. That takes the most time out of all.
[quote=“Cash4Cars, post:12, topic:4106”]
what is WC ?[/quote]
Water Change (we abbreviate a lot around here)
You may also see extra activity from your fish due to an increase in oxygen levels in your tank from running your skimmer. All of that airation adds a significant amount of O2 back in to the water, which (like in a casino) makes your animals more awake and lively.
I agree Rosti’s tank looks fantastic, I can’t eblieve you feed that much without a skimmer, heck I can’t believe you feed that much at all. My fish are lucky to get that much in a week.
Of course I also do not replace my GFO or Carbon weekly either - 3 weeks to a month seems sufficient for my system. Daily water changes will do a lot to keep parameters in check, calcium and alk where it needs to be, and nitrates low, but honestly I could see that getting much more expensive than I have the funds to cover. I change 5 gallons a week. 2 gallons a day would more than double my salt expense, not to mention I don’t have the 5 minutes a day it takes to do the WC.
