Skimmer-less Pico?

[Baby Ray]

Is it possible to have a skimmer-less pico tank with one fish? (clown goby or flaming prawn goby) I have seen pico tanks and they have a HOB filter on the back that takes up almost the entire back of the tank. The filters are filled with cheato and sponges as filtration. Is that all you need if you will only be keeping one fish and some LPS and softie corals? Thanks!!

 

[Joey waid]

I have 50 gallon tanks for years with no skimmer.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Yes. Most tanks can be skimmer-less.

 

[Baby Ray]

Thanks!! Are there any people here running skimmer-less picos? Pictures :p?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Thanks!! Are there any people here running skimmer-less picos? Pictures :p?

I have a 20 gallon that is skimmer less. But I've neglected it and its going to be broken down here in a few weeks.

 

[Rick.45cal]

Thanks!! Are there any people here running skimmer-less picos? Pictures :p?

The pico tank I am in the process of setting up is going to be skimmerless. I'm going to try and go filterless too, that may be my downfall. But we shall see. There are a couple pics of the preliminary setup in the
"Got a PICO reef? Show it off here! (and we might even get a subforum for picos on R2R)"
thread.

 

[KcAQUARIUMS]

I have 50 gallon tanks for years with no skimmer.

Very possible to do a skimmer less tank. Heavy on the carbon tho. Change often.

 

[ReefQueen]

I have an 8 gallon biocube that I literally do nothing with anymore, and it has 0 nuisance algae. It is skimmerless, currently filter medialess, and gets a waterchange whenever I feel like it, so not often lol. There has been 1 lonely clown for a while and I recently added a clown goby who will eventually be kicked out into the big tank. Also some snails and hermits. Corals are all softies and LPS. I got this tank for free and have made it my "spend as little time and money as possible and see how good it can look" tank lol. The priciest thing I've added is the ATO, which is a must have IMO. So yes, picos can be skimmerless, and I think you will find most picos are. If you seriously want to do a skimmerless pico, I would definitely not strive to follow my methods, I would recommend regular water changes at the very least. I have just been lucky so far lol.

 

[Mjl714]

I have a 20 gallon skimmerless reef tank. I do have a CPR Aquatics refugium on the back, which holds chaeto and heater. I do regular water changes. Works pretty nicely.

 

[Reefboy6]

3 gallon no skimmer. 11 months in. No fish makes it easier with less nutrient inputs. Water changes only.

 

[Jack Eskay]

3 gallon no skimmer. 11 months in. No fish makes it easier with less nutrient inputs. Water changes only.

Do you have any filter media/ chaeto etc?

 

[Reefboy6]

Nope. No filter media unless I stir up the tank real murky. I use a spong filter for a couple hours to remove particulates, then remove it. Just moving water over live rock.

 

[tomtom2245]

I had a 3.5gal that I just moved up to a 6.2gal and don't run a skimmer. It is an AIO so I do pile some rubble rock in the back for added filtration and occasionally through some filter floss back there to clear up particulates if it gets stirred up. There is also some red macro growing too and a crap ton of mini brittle stars!

The 3.5gal

And now the 6.2

 

[Chrisfish]

For the size tank I think your looking at I don't think you need a skimmer:) I started out with a 3 gal.and moved up to an 8 gal. Before going to my current set up (30 gal.) I never used a skimmer on the first 2, just weekly water changes and all was good. I got so many mixed opinions (not here as I was not a member yet) on Skimmer/ no skimmer. I guess it's all about preference. I do know that you are so maticulous and very caring about your sea creatures that whatever you decide they will be in the best care:)

 

[Baby Ray]

For the size tank I think your looking at I don't think you need a skimmer:) I started out with a 3 gal.and moved up to an 8 gal. Before going to my current set up (30 gal.) I never used a skimmer on the first 2, just weekly water changes and all was good. I got so many mixed opinions (not here as I was not a member yet) on Skimmer/ no skimmer. I guess it's all about preference. I do know that you are so maticulous and very caring about your sea creatures that whatever you decide they will be in the best care:)

Awwww :p :rolleyes:
Thank you!

 

[Sm51498]

Ran this skimmerless for it's whole life.