Do I “need” a skimmer on 25 gallon?

[sheeb]

I’ve always ran skimmers. 13.5, 60 gallon (in the sump so almost necessary) and that’s about it. I now have a 25g because it is more practical and wondering if I absolutely need one. My tank seems to be doing great. Been running for about a month or so now now granted it was already cycled when transferred but, from what I see it looks as I don’t need one. Looks can be deceiving sometimes tho so let me know what y’all think!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I’ve always ran skimmers. 13.5, 60 gallon (in the sump so almost necessary) and that’s about it. I now have a 25g because it is more practical and wondering if I absolutely need one. My tank seems to be doing great. Been running for about a month or so now now granted it was already cycled when transferred but, from what I see it looks as I don’t need one. Looks can be deceiving sometimes tho so let me know what y’all think!

You don't absolutely NEED one...water changes are fine for a 25 gallon

 

[Dav2996]

I’ve always ran skimmers. 13.5, 60 gallon (in the sump so almost necessary) and that’s about it. I now have a 25g because it is more practical and wondering if I absolutely need one. My tank seems to be doing great. Been running for about a month or so now now granted it was already cycled when transferred but, from what I see it looks as I don’t need one. Looks can be deceiving sometimes tho so let me know what y’all think!

I like skimmer on it personally it helps with algae and increases bio load by increasing oxygen

 

[sheeb]

You don't absolutely NEED one...water changes are fine for a 25 gallon

Good to know. Didn’t think I needed one but 9 times out of 10 others know better than me in this hobby.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Good to know. Didn’t think I needed one but 9 times out of 10 others know better than me in this hobby.

If you wanna browse through some of the threads from yesterday there was actually a lot of discussion about the importance of skimmers

 

[sheeb]

If you wanna browse through some of the threads from yesterday there was actually a lot of discussion about the importance of skimmers

Yeah, I know it’ll help and it can’t hurt to have one just really don’t want to spend the money on it just yet if I don’t need to lol

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Yeah, I know it’ll help and it can’t hurt to have one just really don’t want to spend the money on it just yet if I don’t need to lol

Most people seemed to feel the only thing skimmers really helped with was aeration

 

[AquasKy]

I like skimmer on it personally it helps with algae and increases bio load by increasing oxygen

Currently having a terrible algae outbreak in my 20 gal, even with all of my weekly maintenance and parameter checks (phosphates took a weird spike suddenly) I decided it’s finally time to try out a skimmer. Should be here Friday so I’m really hoping it helps.

 

[sheeb]

Currently having a terrible algae outbreak in my 20 gal, even with all of my weekly maintenance and parameter checks (phosphates took a weird spike suddenly) I decided it’s finally time to try out a skimmer. Should be here Friday so I’m really hoping it helps.

I’m sure it will. Throw some gfo/ phosguard in you’re media compartment or whatever you have if it’s you’re last resort. Post some pics of ur 20g!

 

[sheeb]

Most people seemed to feel the only thing skimmers really helped with was aeration

Really? That’s surprising. With the amount of skim I got out of last tank was crazy. Almost black but that might’ve been bc of big bioload. Tank went awesome though! Until the silicon seals went haywire

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Really? That’s surprising. With the amount of skim I got out of last tank was crazy. Almost black but that might’ve been bc of big bioload. Tank went awesome though! Until the silicon seals went haywire

Yeah, I think the general consensus was that they're one tool in the arsenal but definitely not the only way of doing things (especially not for a nano)

 

[AquasKy]

I’m sure it will. Throw some gfo/ phosguard in you’re media compartment or whatever you have if it’s you’re last resort. Post some pics of ur 20g!

I just pulled a round of phosguard, I’m beginning to think it doesn’t work for nothing, it’s the second round I’ve done and it barely made a dent. That’s why I caved and ordered the skimmer. I’ll have to go take some pics of “Peppermint Dome”, I haven’t taken any since I got my new phone, and I just realized that none of my pics from my old phone transferred.

edit: I had a glitch and I think I replied twice, my bad, but I also wanted to add that I was also going to go pick up maybe an emerald crab tomorrow as well? I fear the may be bubble algae and I have terrible tremors so hand pulling it isn’t really an option as I fear I might pop a bubble if there is any under this stuff. It’s definitely not turf or hair, though it is stringy and red, the bit I managed to pull today when I had a calm spell almost looked like clotted blood when I pulled it out.

 

[sheeb]

Yeah, I think the general consensus was that they're one tool in the arsenal but definitely not the only way of doing things (especially not for a nano)

Interesting. I probably won’t get one just yet. As of now, knock on wood but this nano is running much better than the 60. Corals, water quality and clarity, and algae.

 

[AquasKy]

I’m sure it will. Throw some gfo/ phosguard in you’re media compartment or whatever you have if it’s you’re last resort. Post some pics of ur 20g!

I just pulled a round of phosguard, I’m beginning to think it doesn’t work for nothing, it’s the second round I’ve done and it barely made a dent. That’s why I caved and ordered the skimmer. I’ll have to go take some pics of “Peppermint Dome”, I haven’t taken any since I got my new phone, and I just realized that none of my pics from my old phone transferred.

 

[AquasKy]

I’m sure it will. Throw some gfo/ phosguard in you’re media compartment or whatever you have if it’s you’re last resort. Post some pics of ur 20g!

I just pulled a round of phosguard, I’m beginning to think it doesn’t work for nothing, it’s the second round I’ve done and it barely made a dent. That’s why I caved and ordered the skimmer. I’ll have to go take some pics of “Peppermint Dome”, I haven’t taken any since I got my new phone, and I just realized that none of my pics from my old phone transferred.

 

[sheeb]

I just pulled a round of phosguard, I’m beginning to think it doesn’t work for nothing, it’s the second round I’ve done and it barely made a dent. That’s why I caved and ordered the skimmer. I’ll have to go take some pics of “Peppermint Dome”, I haven’t taken any since I got my new phone, and I just realized that none of my pics from my old phone transferred.

not the biggest expert on algae outbreaks but phosguard has been good to me. what kinda algae is it?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

I’ve always ran skimmers. 13.5, 60 gallon (in the sump so almost necessary) and that’s about it. I now have a 25g because it is more practical and wondering if I absolutely need one. My tank seems to be doing great. Been running for about a month or so now now granted it was already cycled when transferred but, from what I see it looks as I don’t need one. Looks can be deceiving sometimes tho so let me know what y’all think!

I don’t think you need one at all. I have two one for my 75 and one for my nano and haven’t used either in over a year now. Less smelly gunk and no visible difference in the tank. Didn’t hurt anything but the wallet to have one though

 

[akau]

When i had a 15G tank the skimmer was removing a lot of stuff. I would have hated having that floating around until a partial water change.....

 

[Dav2996]

Really? That’s surprising. With the amount of skim I got out of last tank was crazy. Almost black but that might’ve been bc of big bioload. Tank went awesome though! Until the silicon seals went haywire

Skimmers increase bioavailability of your tank.

 

[Alexraptor]

People frequently refer to the "gunk" and "stuff" that the skimmer pulls out, and are happy that it's not floating around in their tanks, which sounds a little odd to me, as you essentially are stripping out dissolved organics that a lot of reef organisms, including corals, feed on, not to mention the planktonic life that actually dies in the collection cup.'

Now I am by no means knocking skimmers, I run them myself on my larger tanks. But I don't think it is a coincidence that my 15G skimmer-less reef is my healthiest and most successful system. And I do believe that skimmers serve as a useful safety net in young and immature systems, and can help bring stability to an unstable system.