What makes skim in SPS Tank?

[mattj206]

What am I skimming from my 75 gal SPS dominated tank.

I have a pair of clowns that eat pods from the tank.

I feed infrequently (~2 weeks). LPS, Rose, Clowns, Shrimp.

Do I need to skim? Or skim infrequently?

 

[bradreef]

Always good. coral slime will build up in the water if you dont.

 

[wrightme43]

You are removing bacteria, fish waste, any polutants is the air that settle into your tank, you are adding o2 to close to saturation levels, you are gettin rid of co2 gas in your tank. Like brad said the coral slime will build up in your tank and rot making more poison. Skimming is the way to go. JMHO. steve

 

[NaH2O]

IMO, skimming is an important part of keeping water quality in check. You will be taking out all kinds of organics, not only fish and corals, but also from live rock processes.

Are you target feeding your LPS or feeding the entire tank on a 2 week basis?

 

[CarlaW]

Can't say much more from what has already been said! Keep skimming it always amazes me as to what comes out. Take a good whiff of your skimmate sometime, then you'll know why you skim.

 

[invincible569]

Skimmers remove proteins and other organic compounds from the aquarium before they have a chance to break down and foul the water. These organics are brought up a cylinder chamber through micronic bubbles cleaning their surface.

 

[o2manyfish]

Try thinking of it this way.....

You live in a walk-in closet - The closet has a vending machine that is stocked with food for you, and you have a bar fridge full of beverages.

Unfortunately your walk-in does not have a private restroom... In fact not even a hole in the floor.

Now after how many days, hours or minutes... are you going to be asking (if not begging) someone to bring you a nice Hepa Air Filter ? Or even open an air vent.

While your system may handle a variety of filtration needs given your filtration, live rock, and sand bed. Still creating a good gas exchange, as well as pulling out those organics that build up are big benefits of skimming.

Dave B


PS - I will not be putting together a comparison test of who can live in a closet the longest.

 

[CarlaW]

Thanx so much for the explanation, Dave I am so glad you stopped where you did.

 

[wrightme43]

Too bad skimming wouldnt work on washington D.C. LOL

 

[CarlaW]

You can't buy a skimmer that big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think of the size of collection cup you'd need.