Protein skimmer NOT needed for nano reef?

[Mtown]

Is it true that Protein Skimmer are not needed for a nano-reef.

I read this article from http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/?article=3 and it suggests nano reefers to try the method of natural filtration (only live rock & sand) and NO protein skimming. It says that in such a small tank, a skimmer would just take too much of the corals nutrients. It states that there are more disadvantages tahn advantages on running a protein skimmer in a nano.

[BLKTANG]

I agree 100%

I have a nano,& building another,& will b spending that $$$ on livestock.

[mdisalvo55]

Yea I second that...when I first got my nano all I wanted was a skimmer because of my 55 gallon. I decided to take most people's advice and wait it out just to see how the tank would turn out with frequent water changes instead (once a week, nothing too intense). My nano is doing excellent and all my corals are thriving without a skimmer so I see no reason for it now. If I were you I would at least try it out without the skimmer and just see how it works.

[Illuminati]

ditto, weekly water changes (I do 5 gallons for a 24 gallon, might be overkill). No skimmer needed :)

[bushwick]

I was running a Deltec MCE on the below tank. then I switched to an airlift skimmer and now no skimmer. I use no filters, no chemical additions except marine buffer. The tank just has good water movement, cooling fan on temp controller, strong MH lighting and thats it.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/che13/IMG_1135.jpg

Since I have removed the skimmers / Phosban reactor / ozone unit / stopped dosing elements like CA, the tank looks a lot healthier.

This is a 20G sumpless system.

[BLKTANG]

Is that an eel i c??

[bushwick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8738930#post8738930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EXPEDITION
Is that an eel i c??

No way....not in a 20G.

You are most probably looking at the Decora goby. Only slender fish in the tank. Other fish is a Chromis and 1 pair of ocs clowns.

[BLKTANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8738979#post8738979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bushwick
No way....not in a 20G.

You are most probably looking at the Decora goby. Only slender fish in the tank. Other fish is a Chromis and 1 pair of ocs clowns.


Look just to the left of the elegance,looks like an eel face.

[bushwick]

I see what you mean. Looks like one big eel's head for sure. No that is a porites spp (spelling)???

Fairly good illusion......looks like it's eyeing off the clowns for lunch.

[mdisalvo55]

Wow that's kind of creepy really.