Will my fish be ok without a skimmer for a few weeks?

Discussion in 'Protein Skimmers' started by crystal, Mar 29, 2010.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. crystal

    crystal Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Messages:
    293
    Location:
    england, south east
    im getting a new skimmer has my old one has broken
    will my fish be ok till in get a new one in a few weeks?
    i have a 40gallon fowlr with 2 very small clownfish and 2 small cleaner shrimp
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. MoJoe

    MoJoe Dragon Wrasse

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2010
    Messages:
    2,186
    Location:
    CT
    If it's a few weeks, just make sure to keep up with water changes and maybe feed only every other day but your bio-load is very small with that stock. You should be fine though I had to turn my skimmer off for about a week waiting for a part and no ill effects.
     
  4. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    4,767
    Location:
    New Freedom, PA
    Some people run completely skimmerless... It is not a requirement, just highly recommended. Just make sure u keep up on maintanence and have a large enough biological filter while your not running it :)
     
  5. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2009
    Messages:
    9,550
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    I don't have a skimmer on my highly stocked 37 gallon, and it's fine. Just keep up with water changes.
     
  6. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    Messages:
    5,926
    Location:
    Colorado
    Yes, you will be fine. Skimmers really don't do anything except filter some stuff before the live rock can filter it. Without a skimmer, your live rock will easily pick up the bio-load and handle the filtration for you. Like others said, you may need to do some extra water changes. Just be sure to keep up with water parameters and swap out some water if your nitrates start to creep up to fast.

    How much live rock do you have?
     
  7. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    You'll be fine. My buddy finally got his skimmer back up & running on his 90gal corner with Coral growing like crazy when it was down. He hasn't used his skimmer in 5 months, so a few weeks you'll be fine. Between the live sand & live rock it's a natural filter.

    Though I still highly recommend a skimmer, there are indeed some people that do not.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. crystal

    crystal Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Messages:
    293
    Location:
    england, south east
    thanks for all the reply they have been really helpful.i am going to get a skimmer next week so the tank wont be going that long without one.
     
  10. Night-Rida

    Night-Rida Finback Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Messages:
    2,703
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    her tank is somewhat new. so I would do what as advised above.. feedly 3 times a week and do your weekly 10%-15% water changes.