Broken skimmer, how long before I'm in trouble?

My Red Sea prism HOB protein skimmer is toast. The impeller broke and while trying to glue it the motor housing clips broke so I can't secure the motor in the case. Soooo, I need to get a "real" skimmer for my nearly complete sump tank. My DT is 29 gallon with a 20g sump/refugium tank.

My question is how long do I have to order a new skimmer? Leaning towards a budget reef octopus 4 for about $190 but it may take up to a week to order online if my lfs doesn't have one in stock. Waiting to hear from them now. My tank is still fairly young, 2 months old with just 2 green chromis and 2 semi Picasso clowns, and asst cuc. I just did a 5 gallon water change yesterday, with plans of starting my sump tank tomorrow when I pick up my CPR overflow box from LFS. Assuming that the lfs doesn't have the skimmer I want in stock, and I have to order online, am I going to get into trouble this week? I can cut lights, lower feeding amounts, things like that too help. Need advice please! When I get the sump going I figure ill be adding about 12-15 gallons of water to my system, almost like doing a 50%waterchange. That should help too right?

Wasn't planning on upgrading yet, but crappy hob skimmer breaking is forcing my hand to go to my wallet a bit sooner than expected.

Werd.

 

with your bio-load i believe you can go without a skimmer easy for a week without consequence, especially if you're diligent with your water changes

 

I have been. 5 gallons/ week. If I miss a week I go 10gallons. Never miss it. Also I get my water from lfs so it's good clean healthy water, no chlorine or anything bad. Didn't ant to spend the money yet, but broken parts forced my hand. Thanks for the advice.

 

Chromis and Clowns are among the hardiest fish out there.
Geez people use chromis to cycle a tank.

I think you'll be fine for at least a week, if not two.

I had a clown that lived thru hell.
I went out of town for a week and had my mother watching the house.
A pipe behind my frig burst and the water removal team came in and turned off the AC and had dehumidifiers running 24/7 for about a week.

I still have that clown 3 years and 1 tank later.

 

I have a 20 gallon that's been up for a year now. I have SPS and no detectable nutrients without a skimmer. I think you'll be fine.

 

I am sure there are thousands of systems run without the use of a skimmer.I have done it several times so the answer to your question is forever.lol
If your WC regimen is as you say and you don't overfeed the only adjustment I would make is to make sure you have your return and/or PH's pointed towards the surface to make up for the loss of gas exchange.This may or not be a huge factor depending on environmental conditions.
Addition gallonage will help stabilize your system and dilute toxins/hobbyist errors.

 

Yeah I ran a BioCube 14 for 1 1/2 years with not skimmer before I went to my 55. The story above was when I had my BioCube and the clown still lived through it all.

 

Honestly if you're changing that much water on a weekly basis, you don't even need a skimmer. If you'd like to keep a pure SPS system, then yeah, you might want to get one then. With less then 50 gallons, a 10% change a week is fine.

 

All great advice everyone. Thanks alot! Feeling a bit better now. Maybe ill wait a bit on the skimmer for a bit. I do plan on getting corals soon, that's why I'm finishing up my sump build. I think I'll also contact Red Sea about buying a replacement motor and impeller for my prizm hob. 3reef to the rescue again!

Werd.

 

Dont waste any more money on that red sea, just throw it out and don't look back