Skimmer

[LdIZzY]

I jus started a 24 jbj cube saltwater tank for over a month now. I was wondering if a skimmer is necessary? If so, I heard that your not suppose to keep it on all the time?!!...

 

[Hinds04]

skimmers are not absolutely necessary. I ran a 75 gallon reef for over a year without a skimmer. I have heard some debate out there about whether they really do as much as we think for our reefs anyway. I run one and yes it runs constantly and is emptied once a week.

 

[AquaRick]

For a tank that small, no you don't need a skimmer. PWCs should get rid of your nitrates just fine.

I keep mine on 24/7. There's no way i'd go without it. It picks up some much nasty gunk. I wouldn't want that stuff in my tank.

 

[LdIZzY]

So then jus don't get a skimmer at all?

 

[Leighton79]

No, no skimmer on that tank.

Use the centre chamber on the back as a mini refugium and grow a macro algae under this....

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/nano-glo-refugium-led

I use the light on my mce600's media chamber to the same ends and it works great.

My LFS has the same tank as yours set up as a display tank and it uses the method I'm suggesting to you, coupled with a bag of purigen and a sponge that comes with the tank and you will be all sparkly clean.

 

[LdIZzY]

Thanks!!! I'll look into that...