Anybody running their SPS tank skimmerless?

[Fourstars]

I've had great success with ATS and deep sand bed. I want to move to more SPS in my setup. is it a mistake to try to run without a skimmer?

 

[CoralNerd]

I would never run my sps dominated reef skimmerless however, I run mine at night for about 7 to 10 hours and that's it. Skimmers, and filter socks can leave your tank too sterile so it's best to get rid of the socks and limit the skimmer time.

 

[Tahoe61]

Depends on your bio-load and feeding regiment. If you're going to spend the money on sps it would probably behoove you to add a skimmer. With that said I have run sps dominated tanks without a skimmer, but it's a fine balance.

 

[Fourstars]

I don't use any mechanical filtration and only run a sock if I'm cleaning. But I bet my ATS is as efficient as your skimmer at removing nutrients, plus its pod friendly. If I do decide to go with a skimmer also, I like the idea of only running it at night. Thanks

 

[Fourstars]

Thanks Tahoe, I figure its a fine balance either way. I run a tight ship, it took me six months just to grow out a nice algae screen. I prefer to try and run the tank without a lot of input or dosing only Alk/Calcium and Mg.

 

[CoralNerd]

When you get a skimmer hook it up to a CO2 scrubber and watch your ph stay stable :) ....refugiums oh yeah love them ;)