Skimmer on a predator tank

a skimmer is basically mechanical filtration to remove particulates from which degrade water quality (removes fish poo), even fish need clean water so yes, it needs one to0. is it as important on a fowlr as it is on a reef, not necesarily and could you probably do without one, yea...but if you want healthy, pretty fish...keep their water clean (they dont want to swim in their own poo, i promise).
 
@Wes wrote:
a skimmer is basically mechanical filtration to remove particulates from which degrade water quality (removes fish poo) said:
alright, i was wondering cause i had got told that it is necessary if i plan to have a lot of fish in that tank which is a 240 gallon tank, as for the 55 im converting it to a reef and wanted it for that tank, but my 29gal is good with a skimmer so i might as well just buy one. thanks!
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A skimmer would be more necessary on a predator tank. Most coral tanks have refugiums that can take care of the little nitrate that is produced in the tank. While the predators will easily over power the refugium unless it is set up correctly to accommodate some heavy feedings

I suggest you use the skimmer for the FOWLR tank and build an algae scrubber for your reef tank. Scrubbers are more efficient and a lot more healthier for a reef than a skimmer any day.



Stock/tanksize/filtration also plays a big part. Water changes can help as well. If you have the cash or are diy handy, get another skimmer or make the scrubber. A scrubber on both tanks would probably be most ideal.
 
@TheCanuck wrote:
A skimmer would be more necessary on a predator tank. Most coral tanks have refugiums that can take care of the little nitrate that is produced in the tank. While the predators will easily over power the refugium unless it is set up correctly to accommodate some heavy feedings I suggest you use the skimmer for the FOWLR tank and build an algae scrubber for your reef tank. Scrubbers are more efficient and a lot more healthier for a reef than a skimmer any day. Stock/tanksize/filtration also plays a big part. Water changes can help as well. If you have the cash or are diy handy said:
what do you mean by a "scrubber"
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i would use a skimmer. it will keep your water crystal clear if not it will turn a yellowish tinge if you do not keep up with regular water changed (bimonthlywould be my reccomendation)

google algae turf scrubber and you will find your results.
 
@thoedestmex wrote:
[I]@TheCanuck wrote:[/I][quote="A skimmer would be more necessary on a predator tank. Most coral tanks have refugiums that can take care of the little nitrate that is produced in the tank. While the predators will easily over power the refugium unless it is set up correctly to accommodate some heavy feedings I suggest you use the skimmer for the FOWLR tank and build an algae scrubber for your reef tank. Scrubbers are more efficient and a lot more healthier for a reef than a skimmer any day. Stock/tanksize/filtration also plays a big part. Water changes can help as well. If you have the cash or are diy handy said:
what do you mean by a "scrubber""]

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/general-reef-aquarium-discussion/35294-mega-powerful-nitrate-phosphate-remover-replaces-skimmer-refugium-everything.html

A properly built turf scrubber will outshine a skimmer and full filtration unit any day. The yellow tinge is only for people who do not properly clean them. Some of the most prized fish tanks i have seen use these ;)
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@TheCanuck wrote:
[I]@thoedestmex wrote:[/I][quote="[I]@TheCanuck wrote:[/I][quote="A skimmer would be more necessary on a predator tank. Most coral tanks have refugiums that can take care of the little nitrate that is produced in the tank. While the predators will easily over power the refugium unless it is set up correctly to accommodate some heavy feedings I suggest you use the skimmer for the FOWLR tank and build an algae scrubber for your reef tank. Scrubbers are more efficient and a lot more healthier for a reef than a skimmer any day. Stock/tanksize/filtration also plays a big part. Water changes can help as well. If you have the cash or are diy handy said:
what do you mean by a "scrubber""]

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/general-reef-aquarium-discussion/35294-mega-powerful-nitrate-phosphate-remover-replaces-skimmer-refugium-everything.html

A properly built turf scrubber will outshine a skimmer and full filtration unit any day. The yellow tinge is only for people who do not properly clean them. Some of the most prized fish tanks i have seen use these ;)"]



Do you know anybody who makes these or anything? I wouldnt want to make something on my own for a 240 gallon tank and have it crash. its too much haha
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I have noticed that on larger thanks they are more expensive to constantly run because of the lighting required. Sure you can buy cheap home depo lights, but they cost money to run, and watts add up. Wayne from custom reefs built some and they are running his 8 system fish tank island. Before you look into making one, or getting one made make sure you calculate the sq.ft of canvas you need and the amount of watts that will make it most effective. The watts/sq in are listed on that write up, make sure you can meet all the requirements and space under your stand( also the GPH ). There are great examples at algaescrubber.net or something like that and on youtube.com as well.

Algae scrubbers .net or something has a VERY nice acrylic box that is all set up inside and it looks like a filtration canister that lays horizontal. It's quite expensive, but very nice looking and practical. On that forum there are people who build them as well.

I made a smaller one just as a filtration addition, surprisingly it worked better than my skimmer and it was half the size, and twice the flow with the right amount of lighting for my undersized canvas. Keep in mind these can replace complete filtration units, a much smaller one can easily replace a refugium or skimmer.




OR

You can buy my marineland skimmer and I'll give you a special deal on it. It's rated for 300 gallons I also have the box and everything it came with.
 
Hey there 12ft tank guy!! lol but yea a turf scrubber is certainly a big difference and the outcome is dramatic... i run both on the island of tanks about 300g and works perfect with my diy skimmer i made... the coral side i dont run a ats and it's a lil more of a hassle to keep nitrates down.. overall the ats system is a big improvement i used to live in indiana and a company called inland aquatics first started em i saw huge versions of them and they never ran anything else and also barely any water changes at the location... their location is over 10000 gallons.. a huge facility... I used to work there at the location up north... huge difference in controlling algae too... any form of algae will eventually disappear.. i believe david (washingtond) is running one too...

But up toward the top about having to use a skimmer or not on a predator tank... well it's a definite need for a skimmer... as ma buddy said up above... predators put off a extremely huge amount of waste and also are messy eaters... so you need a skimmer to pull double the amount to keep up with the bioload... also as he was saying the amount of lr in a predator tank isnt as much as in a fowlr tank... so the level of the waste turning into a problem (ammonia) will increase without a skimmer...
 
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