Do I really need my skimmer in my nano?

[reefiniteasy]

Hey everyone, I’ve been running a Tunze 9001 DC in my BioCube. I’ve been running it in the display. It’s getting in the way of flow. I don’t have to empty it very often. In a week the cup is no more than 2cm full. Is it even worth it to take up the real estate? It also impedes flow. What would you do??

 

[WIReefer]

Just depends I would take it offline if you don’t want it but would also watch your nutrient levels. Would make sure you keep up water changes and you should be all good!

 

[TankMaid]

My only worry is a reduction in oxygen. If you have strong flow, it should be fine

 

[lotekfish]

I've been running my IM Nuvo 20 for three years without a skimmer. Just keep up on water changes, you'll be fine.

 

[GlassMunky]

Skimmers that fit in AIO tanks don't work effectively anyway, so they are just a waste of space IMO.
Ive run my Biocube for a decade without a skimmer.

 

[jesspal]

I hate my 9001 it's been a pita

 

[reefiniteasy]

I've been running my IM Nuvo 20 for three years without a skimmer. Just keep up on water changes, you'll be fine.

I change 5 gallons every Sunday

Skimmers that fit in AIO tanks don't work effectively anyway, so they are just a waste of space IMO.
Ive run my Biocube for a decade without a skimmer.

I’m beginning to wonder this. No matter how I feed and no matter what setting the skimmer is on I get a semi clear liquid, again 1-2cm a week. Nothing more. I just don’t know if it’s worth the space, impact to flow and the ugliness ofit being in the display.

 

[reefiniteasy]

I hate my 9001 it's been a pita

I like it a lot. I also have the IceCap Nano but it takes forever to dial in and it skins very very wet.

 

[GlassMunky]

Get rid of it and see if theres any change in the tank after a week or 2. worst case scenario you add it back again

 

[Ef4life]

Skimmers aren’t needed on smaller tanks imo, and small skimmers that fit in small tanks don’t work good anyways so I would just get rid of it.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Most people don't run skimmers in a small nano since regular water changes are often enough to keep nutrients in check and are easy with such small volumes.

Good flow typically provides enough oxygenation if the system has a moderate bioload.

I've run a 12g for over 12 years without a skimmer...

 

[Billdogg]

I kept a successful 60g cube for 22 years without a skimmer. No sump either. Just a HOB filter and a canister. The only things I had trouble with were SPS.

 

[reefiniteasy]

Thank you all for your opinions. I decided since I’m having great success lately except for a small battle with green cyano, I should stick with what’s working. I also recently got the new IceCap CO2 scrubber and idiot me forgot that I need the skimmer in order to be able use the scrubber.

 

[terraincognita]

Skimmer had a purpose.

if you make it’s purpose no longer or barely needed then you can do it with any equipment.Better to fully understand the workings of all your filter media, then you can decide what or if you have anything redundant or unnecessary.

otherwise when I say I run this 45G with no skimmer without any concern or worries it’s misleading because there’s so much else involved including my feeding schedule that went around my decision to not run a skimmer.

on the reverse, unless you’re specifically fighting to not have a low nutrient system or super clean system then no harm by having it in any means.

 

[wonroc]

Im running it for a day and half now before a water change. And the tunze nano pulls a ton of tea crud out of the system. Definetely works.