Ultimate skimmer less thread

[g6gang]

Anyone who does not run a skimmer want to share their setup? I would like to see what it would take? Please provide as much details as possible, tank, sump size, stock, equipment, dosing, etc

I have to think the amount of skimmate I pull out does not amount to much of an impact.looking to replace with something more natural and equally effective.

 

[Troy V]

Tank: 240g (8x2x2) Mixed Reef
Frag Tank: 60g (2x2x2)plumbed together
Sump: Approx. 80g total water volume(only half full)
Xenia Refugium: Approx. 30g
2 Skimmers: 6"x30" Beckett Style w/Panworld 100PXX and 6"x30" Needlewheel/Sicce PSK2500 (skimmers are off, but remained plumbed to the system incase of an emergency)
Supplements: Kalk/ATO and 2 cups of BRS Calcium Chloride and Baking soda dosed per week.


I've been skimmer less off and on for the past decade. However, for the past several years I will only turn them on for a week at a time 3 or 4 times a year for a large water change. The primary filtration is provided by a Xenia fuge. I have found that the skimmer is in direct competition with the Xenia fuge, and even now when I turn my skimmer on, the skimmer will only pull a decent amount of skimmate for a day or so. However after a couple of weeks with the skimmer on I start to see less polyp extension, and more algae in the system. I achieve my best SPS coloration with the skimmer off.
I wouldn't recommend doing it cold turkey. Once you have found your new primary filtration source, slowly acclimate your system off the skimmer.

 

[g6gang]

Wow this is the first time that I have heard of Xenia being used as a filtration system in the refugium. I have some pink Xenia in the display tank and never thought of trying to use it to my advantage in the refugium. I am having issues with Nitrates - do you think it will lower this or other params?

 

[Troy V]

Yes, Indirectly like a skimmer. However the Xenia will need to be removed in order to export the nutrients. I personally like to export them to the LFS for cash. Nitrates have never been an issue for me, I feed my tank 6 times in 24hrs. 3 time in the day for the fish, and 3 times at night for the corals. I should have listed a 25+" Gigas clam as part of my filtration. It is hard to quantify the amount of Nitrates it removes, but I am sure a 70+lbs clam can remove quite a bit. Nitrate issues? Are you having algae issues or you just tested for nitrates and found that they were high? If it is the ladder I have seen many systems that thrive in 20ppm Nitrate levels, and seen the same system struggle when the owner tries to lower the levels. Find the equilibrium, some systems do better in high Nitrate environments.

 

[Troy V]

Here is a video of the Xenia Fuge from 2012. The tank is totally filled with Xenia now.

 

[g6gang]

Thanks for the contribution great video - I was not expecting this, but that is what is great with this hobby, no matter how long you have been in it, you learn something new.

Does anyone else have any other contributions to a skimmer-less setup? I know you are out there - ATS lovers, macro-maniacs - come on share your setup.