Will I really need a skimmer?

[fryman]

i plan on having 50x flow from a powerhead would that prevent the danger of low o2

I don't think so, powerheads do not provide nearly as much aeration as a skimmer or air stone. I personally would not risk it.

 

[Timfish]

This is a little bigger than your 29 but here's a 90 along with a set of ICP tests, that doesn't have skimmer, reactors and only occasional dosing of bicarbanate. Sump is just an empty unlit tank. Water changes are essential for long term health, there are forms of DOC that are hydrophilic and won't be removed by a skimmer or GAC and can promote pathogenic shifts in coral microbiomes.


Tapwater ICP

Tank ICP


And just FYI there's some pretty good research showing carbon dosing isn't such a good idea.

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas" This video compliments Rohwer's book of the same title (Paper back is ~$20, Kindle is ~$10), both deal with the conflicting roles of the different types of DOC in reef ecosystems. While there is overlap bewteen his book and the video both have information not covered by the other and together give a broader view of the complex relationships found in reef ecosystems

 

[mindme]

i plan on having 50x flow from a powerhead would that prevent the danger of low o2

I don't think this is going to work.

You can point it towards the surface and that will help a little, but you really want more gas exchange going on. And a skimmer is what's going to do that.

Also, I would be weary of the person who said you can carbon dose and not use a skimmer. Not that they are giving you wrong advice, but a big part of what he mentioned is that he does a 30% water change weekly. That in itself is a huge nutrient export. For you to accomplish the same thing, you'll need to change about 9 gallons of water per week. 30% weekly water changes are not what most people are realistically going to do. Make sure you don't take 1 part of his method, but not he entire part. That is how you get in trouble. Water changes are a big part of his method.

On the flip side, other people carbon dose and do 0 water changes. You'll probably find skimmers on all their tanks.

Carbon dosing is going to increase the bacteria in your aquarium, and if they build up too much it can cause issues. Bacterial slimes, cloudy water(dangerous because it lowers oxygen levels a good bit), cyano, etc. A skimmer helps remove those and also helps keep the oxygen levels up.

The overwhelming majority of people who do carbon dosing are using skimmers. Very much recommended, borderline requirement unless you find other methods to take care of the issues such as the water changes other mentioned.

I think if I did 30% weekly water changes on my tanks, I wouldn't use a skimmer or carbon dosing.