Skimmer alternatives?

[mmw64]

After 8 months of trying to get my skimmer tuned, I'm looking for an alternative. Does anyone use something other than a skimmer on their tank? My skimmer worked fine for about 18 months until I took it out and cleaned it. Ever since it has either overflowed or not skimmed. Thinking I finally had it tuned we went on vacation and came home to all but 3 fish dead and tank a dirty mess. At this point, since I have no decent fish stores here, I don't know what to do. I have watched U-tube and talked to manufacturer numerous times. Is there an alternative to a skimmer?

 

[GoVols]

Run a fuge and up your water changes, but I'd still want a good skimmer.

 

[lbacha]

Big fuge, you may want to consider Xenia as well it is great for nutrient export. Best option is low fish bioload as the skimmer removes fish waste and food before it breaks down

 

[Finhead]

I ran my previous SPS tank with a Algae scrubber alone no skimmmer etc, a buddy of mine is running his current SPS dominante tank with a Algae scrubber alone as well. I'd still be running one but I need the skimmer for aeration since my tank is in the basement, still might get one working and just use the skimmer without a cup.

 

[c-horse]

I never used a skimmer, just an algae scrubber, along with a sulphur denitrator. My nitrate always test zero, even when I feed 5 or six times a day.

 

[GoVols]

Big fuge, you may want to consider Xenia as well it is great for nutrient export. Best option is low fish bioload as the skimmer removes fish waste and food before it breaks down

I saw one reefer that only grew Xenia inside his fuge.
He said that it was better than running chaeto :)

 

[lbacha]

I had 2-3 ppm nitrates before I added the Xenia about a week ago now I'm running 0 ppm nitrates. I don't have fish so I'm starting go to add reef chili and reef roids to get nitrates up. If that doesn't work I will start adding macro ferts. I like having too little vs too many nutrients

 

[GoVols]

I had 2-3 ppm nitrates before I added the Xenia about a week ago now I'm running 0 ppm nitrates. I don't have fish so I'm starting go to add reef chili and reef roids to get nitrates up. If that doesn't work I will start adding macro ferts. I like having too little vs too many nutrients

(lol)
Your Xenia is like a nutrient sump :)

 

[lbacha]

The Xenia definitely made my fuge more interesting. Lots to look at now with shrooms and polyps as well.