How long can a tank go without a skimmer?

crewdawg1981

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Okay... sort of a dumb question, because well... this hobby has been around a lot longer than the protein skimmer. However, the pump on my SRO has been acting really funny lately and I'd like to send it in to Coralvue.

Basically, once every few months I'll have issues getting it to restart. Even if I take it apart, clean it up, soak it in vinegar and put it back together, it wont restart. I just have to keep unplugging it and plugging it back in... eventually it restarts. Well, last night I thought I'd reached the end.... it wasnt going to restart. I sent Coralvue an email and of course the procedure is... you send it in, they evaluate it and send you it repaired or a new one. I finally got it to turn back on this morning, but since its under warranty I figure its a good idea to get it looked at.

So my question is... how long until I run serious issues? I could run two carbon chambers (SS200 reactors)? I generally like to feed heavy, but could back it down. I have a 180 with a 135 sump (probably has ~100 gallons in it) and 16 fish (three in the sump that I'm trying to give away but no one ever comes).

I'll be doing a 30 gallon water change tonight. Couldnt tell you what the params are though... ran out of nitrate test solution. Other than the trates I think i'm okay... if not battling my calcium (and calcium reactor).
 
I'm not sure how long you would want to go without one but if it looks like it is going to be a while I have a DAS-EX2 that I'm not using you could borrow. It's made for outside the sump but can also be run inside. After I shut it down and cleaned it the pumps leak a little but if you run it over your sump it is not a problem. I was using it on my 120G with a 29G refugium, 29G QT and 100G sump.
 
If you have sufficient gas exchange then you could run forever with out one but you will have to up your water change amount and frequency.
 
^ +1

also, as far as removing DOCs.... maybe you can just double your water change volume when you do your water changes to keep things in check :)

I'm a fan of doing this instead of frequency. IMO the more OFTEN you change stuff the more often the chance for a catastrophic mistake of some sort. Also, you remove a higher concentration of stuff with a larger water change :)
Just my 2 cents :)

ALSo, there is more than likely someone around that will let you borrow a skimmer for a little while (maybe someone has an extra sitting in the closet )

:)
 
It can run forever without a skimmer.

Rather than "doubling" your water changes or whatnot, get a good test kit, test your parameters and monitor them, adjusting the water change frequency and/or volume if needed. There's no cookie cutter answer as a lot depends on your bioload, feeding habits etc. As long as you are exporting and equal or greater amount of crud than is being produced, you'll be fine.

Jenn
 
As stated, a long time...

However, I would run extremely rinsed (RO water) carbon, and change it out weekly...I would fo a normal 10 day water change.
 
Hey guys!

Thanks for all the responses and the generous offer to borrow a spare skimmer Bud. I may see about scaling back the feeding and throwing a ton of carbon at the tank (I just picked up my 5 gallon bucket of BRS carbon from Gary) as well as throwing my cheato on a 24/7 run for the time being. I'll stop by a store and pick up a nitrate test kit too and continue my 30 gallon H2O changes.
 
What fish r in ur sump might be able to take them off ur hands

Edit: What fish r in ur sump might be able to take them off ur hands
 
Two non-paired clowns (been together for over 2 years and definitely have not paired) and a PJ card.
 
Crewdawg1981;661254 wrote: Two non-paired clowns (been together for over 2 years and definitely have not paired) and a PJ card.

How much you want for the clowns... what type of clowns are they?
 
grayskwerel;661267 wrote: How much you want for the clowns... what type of clowns are they?

You can have em. I had been askin $10 each, but don't worry about it. The are false percs.
 
Crewdawg1981;661254 wrote: Two non-paired clowns (been together for over 2 years and definitely have not paired) and a PJ card.
I will come get the pj, I already have clowns
 
I had no skimmer on my 54 for about a year.. Not that mine didn't work, I just turned it off and never turned it back on. I recently put it back on, but didn't have any issues when it was turned off.
 
Yeah, I was a bit concerned because I like to feed heavy, but I'll cut it back and monitor the tank params. Hopefully it doesn't take too long.
 
Grant... thanks again for the Clowns... my kids love em! Put them in the DT last night with the lights out and the Emperor chased them around for a little while, then they all settled in.
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