no skimmer on a ref...

Jas_ · 09-15-2007, 01:12 AM

I'm setting up a refugium for a 30 gallon long.. The refugium is a 10 gal. glass tank.. Can I do away with a protein skimmer?? I was told that a sump/ ref would eliminate the use for a protein skimmer...

glampka · 09-15-2007, 03:05 AM

You should still have a skimmer with a refugium. The skimmer removes contaminates that the refugium won't.

Tangster · 09-15-2007, 04:06 AM

A refugium will take out a lot of what a skimmer will and take a big load from the skimmer But I'd still run one . But I have removed with no issues either as many do.. Many feel a skimmer is totally unnecessary anyways .. Hell try it see what you get .. But the fuge needs to be cured and able to handle the demand.

chuckdee · 09-15-2007, 09:39 AM

I ran just a refug for about 5 months, and my water params were very good. I added my skimmer, and not much changed. I agree with Tangster saying the skimmer takes out what the refugium left behind. Also, I think it really matters how much bioload you have. At the moment, I am running a very light bioload, so I probably don't really need both a skimmer and refug. I plan on increasing it dramtically very soon, so I'm sure I will benefit greatly from a skimmer and refugium when I do.. One thing is for sure, the pro's of having both outwiegh the con's, bigtime..

coral reefer · 09-15-2007, 11:03 AM

A skimmer acts much in the same way as waves as they pound the shore. The foam that accumulates and ends up on shore is pollutants and such created by the force of the waves. A skimmer(foam fractionator) acts much in the same way as waves do and will trap and remove many contaminants from your water that will not be removed by a refugium.
Now, a skimmer coexisting with carbon, filter feeders and bacteria etc. within your tank will enhance the overall water quality of your tank. A routine water change will further ensure that your water is optimal.

NATIVEVAMAN · 09-16-2007, 04:34 AM

Going skimmerless requires a fuge of at least 50% of the tank volume and a deep sand bed and lots of cheato.As close to 2 lbs of live rock to the gallon as you can get.And at least a 4 inch sand bed in the display tank.Even then you will need a skimmer for almost a year till the sand beds are perking at full strength.I have seen 2 such tanks and they were both much larger than yours.