Do I need a skimmer?

[Zelly]

I have a 40 breeder display, 20 long sump, my sump has a large refugium with chaeto and a deep sand bed. The display has 3 fish (2 clowns and a purple firefish) and a couple corals (mostly softies). I test with hanna checkers, nitrate is 0ppm and phosphate is 0.04ppm (phos reagent is expired though, trying to get new one). I have never had a skimmer before so not sure if it will still benefit my system in ways other than nitrate and phosphate. I'm trying to bring these levels up by feeding more but struggling to do so. I also dose All For Reef, if that is at all relevant.

 

[FUNGI]

in your scenario, the only benefit with a skimmer would be the extra oxygenated water.....

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I have a 40 breeder display, 20 long sump, my sump has a large refugium with chaeto and a deep sand bed. The display has 3 fish (2 clowns and a purple firefish) and a couple corals (mostly softies). I test with hanna checkers, nitrate is 0ppm and phosphate is 0.04ppm (phos reagent is expired though, trying to get new one). I have never had a skimmer before so not sure if it will still benefit my system in ways other than nitrate and phosphate. I'm trying to bring these levels up by feeding more but struggling to do so. I also dose All For Reef, if that is at all relevant.

if your nutrients are so low, definitely not. At least not at this time.

 

[fishyjoes]

If your nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) are already low or zero you want to decrease filtration, not add more. The corals will do poorly or die.

 

[SaltySqueeble]

Also think your good on skimmer until more fish, perhaps

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I have a 40 breeder display, 20 long sump, my sump has a large refugium with chaeto and a deep sand bed. The display has 3 fish (2 clowns and a purple firefish) and a couple corals (mostly softies). I test with hanna checkers, nitrate is 0ppm and phosphate is 0.04ppm (phos reagent is expired though, trying to get new one). I have never had a skimmer before so not sure if it will still benefit my system in ways other than nitrate and phosphate. I'm trying to bring these levels up by feeding more but struggling to do so. I also dose All For Reef, if that is at all relevant.

Maybe keep your photoperiod shorter on refugium and remove some chaeto?

 

[TX_REEF]

in your scenario, the only benefit with a skimmer would be the extra oxygenated water.....

agreed with this

 

[Zelly]

Maybe keep your photoperiod shorter on refugium and remove some chaeto?

Currently the fuge light is hardly on lol, I also just removed half of it

 

[TX_REEF]

if it helps, my frag system is a 50g display with 40g sump, 5 fish, lots of snails, no skimmer. runs fine all residents happy.

 

[Zelly]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

[TeamAquaSD Verified Sponsor]

I have a 40 breeder display, 20 long sump, my sump has a large refugium with chaeto and a deep sand bed. The display has 3 fish (2 clowns and a purple firefish) and a couple corals (mostly softies). I test with hanna checkers, nitrate is 0ppm and phosphate is 0.04ppm (phos reagent is expired though, trying to get new one). I have never had a skimmer before so not sure if it will still benefit my system in ways other than nitrate and phosphate. I'm trying to bring these levels up by feeding more but struggling to do so. I also dose All For Reef, if that is at all relevant.

The posts below all have great and valid opinions.
I would still use it ( lowest setting ) to still provide extra oxygenation and the addition of a co2 scrubber might be nice to help boost ph unless that refugium is really cranking it up

 

[Zelly]

The posts below all have great and valid opinions.
I would still use it ( lowest setting ) to still provide extra oxygenation and the addition of a co2 scrubber might be nice to help boost ph unless that refugium is really cranking it up

Thanks, I have hardly been running the fuge light the last few days and nitrates are still bottomed out

 

[FUNGI]

Thanks, I have hardly been running the fuge light the last few days and nitrates are still bottomed out

feed more.....

 

[Zelly]

feed more.....

Already said I have been doing that. I am feeding a cube/day for 3 fish and some pellets with it

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

cube of what? Have you tried mysis? Reef roids will raise your po4

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thanks, I have hardly been running the fuge light the last few days and nitrates are still bottomed out

What test are you using?

 

[Zelly]

What test are you using?

Said in the original post I’m using hanna

 

[Zelly]

cube of what? Have you tried mysis? Reef roids will raise your po4

Right now I have "Formula One" and "Saltwater Mulit Pack" but im about to run out of both so im open to suggestions. I also dose Oyster Feast, Phytoplankton, and Zooplankton