Run only Protein Skimmer...

[Dominat0r]

So I have been reading online and have been wanting to test this out for a long time. Well, finally, my skimmer is doing its job and I think It would be a good time to check this.

Basically, running just a skimmer. No other filteration other than live rock and sand. I have about 2lbs of live rock per gallon, with a 1.5"-2" sand bed.

I was just curious if anyone else has done this? I heard its overall better to have a skimmer rather than a HOB.

So my testing begins.....

If you have done this or currently do it, please chime in and let me know your results....

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think it would work. I basically run a skimmer and carbon reactor.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

It works fine, don't worry.

 

[Dominat0r]

I think it would work. I basically run a skimmer and carbon reactor.

I am thinking about maybe running a small reactor later on since I have no way to run carbon now....

It works fine, don't worry.

I thought it would... I just like the idea of food/junk not being in the filter, at least when the extra bits of food are left in the tank, the CUC has a chance to eat it. It just makes sense to me.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I have decommissioned my skimmer for many months and my tank is fine. GAC takes care the organic waste, the other nastiness are consumed by corals and other critters.

As long as your live rocks is capable to process nutrients, skimmer is a great tool to work side by side with bio filtration system.

 

[ebushrow]

Works well...just need something for surface skimming IME

 

[Dominat0r]

Works well...just need something for surface skimming IME

This is what I am thinking as well. I have my power heads pointing up to break the surface a bit. Hoping this will help.

Looking good so far. Still a little micro bubbles here and there, but they are diminishing very quickly. Been running my skimmer for 4 days now.

 

[Gweeds1980]

Certainly does work... Google 'Berlin method'. This was the way pretty much every successful reef was run back in the 90s :)

What goes around, comes around lol.

 

[Dominat0r]

Certainly does work... Google 'Berlin method'. This was the way pretty much every successful reef was run back in the 90s :)

What goes around, comes around lol.

Thank you, very interesting reading on that.

 

[Waterjockey]

I pulled my filter socks almost 3 years ago and have just run a skimmer since.

 

[ifarmer]

For saltwater i think thst is all that people run Just skimmer beside live rocks.

And there are people out there that dont even run a skimmer but they rely on frequent water.change.

Reactor are only for those that want to enhance their water quality

 

[jamiec266]

My tank cracked right down the middle that left me having to move everything over into another tank that doesnt have a sump or anything like that. i run only a skimmer at the moment and my wave makers plus a heater and a normal fish filter thing for basic fish tanks and ive run it like this 3 months now and my fish and corals are great. so i dont have filter socks or chetos for algea anymore. yes im aware this is an old post also but thought for future ppl who read it like i have this may help a bit.

 

[Dominat0r]

I was in the same boat, had a small crack that I did not notice. I was in the process of switching tanks anyway, but still...so now I am in a AIO tank, with the filter in the back. I am running filter floss right now to help clean up the water, but will be moving away from that if I can.