I think not having a skimmer would be difficult. It’s a major difference maker to water quality, clarity, aeration and ph.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Yeah- Youve alwats mentioned ATO. . thats awesomeOutside the basics that are needed to keep things alive (like light and flow)...
An ATO. I do not like manually topping off, just would never be good at remembering till the pump was blowing bubbles.
I agree for large tanks the apex (or any controller) is top level for me because I gain ability to control/fix problems remotely. Vacations / long work days are no problem. It's not necessary when starting out, but as tank matures and you have irreplaceable colonies it gives you freedom. And I agree I would go bat "crap" crazy with an apex and nano tankI couldn't live without an Apex now on my big system. I wanted to add them to my nanos but i know my compulsive behavior would care to much about them. Like look at the ph, look at the temp all the time, then freaking out about the orp.
So i opted not to use them.![]()
Agreed. I would rather not know.I agree for large tanks the apex (or any controller) is top level for me because I gain ability to control/fix problems remotely. Vacations / long work days are no problem. It's not necessary when starting out, but as tank matures and you have irreplaceable colonies it gives you freedom. And I agree I would go bat "crap" crazy with an apex and nano tank![]()
Yes, I was stubborn when I first started my first tank last year and thought I didn't need one but only because I was only thinking about it as a way to export nutrients. Even if you let the skimmate just drain back into your sump or tank, I think it has a huge benefit for aeration and pH alone. I had a ton of water surface agitation with water constantly splashing up on the mesh lid and had a sump and had a huge air stone connected to a CO2 scrubber, and still I never realized how much better skimmers aerate the water than all of those other methods combined. My pH increased a good 0.1-0.2 without connecting the air intake to CO2 scrubber. It is definitely worth the investment just from that standpoint. Also its much easier to add nutrients to your system than take them out.I think not having a skimmer would be difficult. It’s a major difference maker to water quality, clarity, aeration and ph.
Keep it simple ..Rodi, flow, light, skimmer… nothing else.