To skimmer or not to skimmer? This is the question!

[jenease]

I have just aquired a 46 gallon all glass tank to convert to a reef tank, I thought this tank was a good idea becouse it has a round front glass and a good 4 square feet surface.

Now the very first question aroused even before I put my fish in. While I was reading on the subject. I have a 50 galon bio filter on my tank, and I've been running the filter with some leftover food from my other tank. Trying to kick start those bacteria. The temperature is constant at 75º and gravity is well between 1.020 and 1.025 right between the green mark on my metter. Just as I was confident to put my fish in I encoutered the aeration issue. I am afraid of adding the fish before aeration, but I'm afraid as well of getting foam on the top of my tank if I try air stones from what I read so far.

I am not adding the fish untill I set up the live sand and rocks. And I still have to get tests this weekend for ammonia, nitrates and PH. Since I have kicked started my filter I need to make sure those are balanced before adding the fish.

So how are the fish going to respond to this environment? Did I kill all the aeration with this process? Should I get the Skimer now or should I wait utill I get some corals? Help please!!!

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Hi jenease

:welcome:

I wouldn't add any livestock (fish or corals) until you get test kits for amonia, nitrate, nitrite, and ph. You really will have no idea whether your system is ready for livestock until you know what the condition of the water is.

I would definently vote for a skimmer, and I would set it up as soon as possible, it will only help your water quality and help with the amount of oxygen available for your livestock.

Read lots and ask lots of questions...
My final advice is to stock your tank slowly, nothing good happens quickly in this hobby.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Pit, you need to know the quality of your water. BTW, what type of water are you using RO/DI or tap?

I, too, vote skimmer.

PATIENCE!!!!!

 

[jenease]

So I'll get the skimmer first. And I'll definately test the water.
I'm using tap water and salt mix. I do not have chlorine in the water because I have a well. But that raises another question. What should I use to minimize the amount of minerals and metal in the water?

 

[SnowManSnow]

skimmer.. YES.

stay away from Prisms and Seaclones IMO

B

 

[trido]

skimmer.. YES.

stay away from Prisms and Seaclones IMO

B

Ditto... definately stay away from the seaclones

 

[Anonymous]

Having a skimmer will make your tank easire to opperate.

 

[LEEB]

The skimmer will help you out with the aereation too.....they are a must IMO.

 

[Anonymous]

So I'll get the skimmer first. And I'll definately test the water.
I'm using tap water and salt mix. I do not have chlorine in the water because I have a well. But that raises another question. What should I use to minimize the amount of minerals and metal in the water?

Do you have a water softener?

 

[SAreefer]

just check out this system running with no skimmer

http://haaga.aqua-web.org/

 

[Anonymous]

Its possible to run a great system without a skimmer if you know what you are doing and are very diligent about maintainence.

It much easier, especially for a new reefkeeper, to run a skimmer. A skimmerless system is much less forgiving and I think it is bad advice (in general) to recommend that new reefkeepers attempt a skimmerless system (of course there will always be exceptions).

 

[jenease]

Yes I do have water softener. For hard well water. But It does not specify the use on salt water. I used it on my fresh water tank!


Thanks everybody. The information was really very helpfull. I'll follow all of the advice and post what happens soon!!!

Thanks all!

 

[Anonymous]

What are using for circulation in your tank?
Reef tanks require a good deal more flow than other types of aquariums.
You should plan on adding some internal powerheads for circulation in the tank (if you haven't already).

 

[jenease]

Pit, I apreciate the advice. But now I think that having the bio filter and the second small filter(for my hospital/quarantine tank) in combination with the skimmer, I have the back of my tank completely filled. It's only 46 gallons, so this equipment must be circulating a good deal.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 100 gallon fish only tank that has been skimmerless for three months. Just plenty of liverock and a largr aquaclear filter. I have come tothe conclusion that my BakPak was just working as an overpriced airstone.

 

[fishaddict]

Toss a HOT remora on that puppy.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with PitPat on this one.. - For a new reefkeeper it would be very wise to sink the extra $$$ on a (good) skimmer.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with PitPat on this one.. - For a new reefkeeper it would be very wise to sink the extra $$$ on a (good) skimmer.

I agree! Been there, done that. You will be happy in the end.