Article on nano fitration

[cweber]

http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/?article=3

I would like some opinions on the part about using a skimmer in a nano. I know a few people are using them, but does anyone agree or disagree with this?

[jojo22]

I run a skimmer but after reading that I may turn it off for a bit and see how my tank does.

[cweber]

Wow jojo, i thought you might have some conflicting advice. lol (not meant in a bad way) LMK what you discover.

Anyone else?

[jojo22]

Don't get me wrong I strongly suggest running a skimmer, new guys for sure, but the article has some valid points in it's logic so I think I will test it for myself. I will unplug my skimmer after my lights come on and give it a week or two to see what happens.

[cweber]

Cool, the article has some good points, but i found a thread on that site with some conflicting opinions. One guy said they didnt have skimmers in the past and theyre wernt many problems as long as your on top of water changes. It makes sense if your not overstocked.

[cweber]

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58546

here is the poll on that subject.

[mutts]

I agree the simpler you make it the easier it will be. I ran a 5.5 gal nano for over a year with nothing but a hob filter with carbon in it. In fact things started acting screwy every time I dosed the tank. For me it worked just with keeping up with the water changes. But I think this is a subject that many people are going to find different answers for.

Nanos after all are any tank under 20 or 30 gals. Say two people have a ten gal tank. One person is big into corals and stocks it with a light load of fish, the other person is big on fish and stocks their tank with lots of fish. The first tank would do better without a protein skimmer. Why? Because in such a small amount of water it is a risk every time you add chemicals. It is a whole lot easier to overdose a 10 gal then say a 100 gal. Also with a light load of fish there shouldn't be that much excess nutrients around. While that second tank with all the fish would have a ton of extra nutrients that can quickly build up and kill the fish. Most people are going to be somewhere in the middle.

As long as you are careful, test your water weekly, and do a water change weekly I don’t really see the need for a protein skimmer in most nanos. But that is just my opinion.

[jojo22]

HEHE I only have a scooter blenny crabs and some snails!!

[mutts]

yea jo, skimming may not be the way to go right now

btw i love scooters they are so cute

[jojo22]

Yeah he's cute but he wipes out pods really fast!!!

[cweber]

Thanks for the input guys. Let me ask you this, I want somthing differernt and to be original on my fish selection. Would two true percs(yeah right...original) be light on stocking? Ive heard different rules for salt water stocking.

[jojo22]

You should be OK!! Just keep up with maintnence

[mutts]

Yeah I don't see why not... just remember water changes are your friend...

that should be every nano keepers motto... everyone with a small tank raise your right hand and repeat... i will do water changes regualy... lol

[cweber]

lol...thats a good motto!

[cweber]

Hey jojo, just wondering if you had an update on turning your skimmer off. If you did, could you post how long it was off and any changes good or bad in your system? Thanks buddy.

Cory