how long can i go

How long can I go without a skimmer. Last night my skimmer broke. Today I'm going to the LFS to see if they can help with fixing it. I know what is wrong, there is a small plastic white washer that broke and needs to be replaced. I can't imagine that I could get this anyplace except from the manufacturer. So it will have to be ordered. How long can I go without the skimmer running in my tank. When I checked my parameters yesterday all were good. My tank is very light right now in regards to fish (2 azure damsels, 1 yellow watchman goby) and many inverts.

 

Pretty long time. Some don't even run skimmers.

 

Home improvement stores typically have nylon washers. Maybe one of those will work til you get a permanent replacement. Your tank should be fine for a few weeks if you are not overfeeding and you have adequate O2 exchange without the skimmer. Make sure you have good surface agitation. Maybe increase the frequency of your water changes? What does your stocking look like as far as corals?

 

All you need to do is do a couple small water changes with increased freq.

 

+1 on this

I recently upgraded my Tank and during the transition period, I ran my old tank without a sump or skimmer for a little over a week. the tank was a 55 gallon with lots of established Live Rock, corals and a pretty good stock list on fish

I did drop in a sponge filter with an air pump to help with some filtration and to provide some gas exchange.

if you have a good amount of established LR, and you don't overfeed - you should be fine.

 

+2

My tank has been running for over two years without a skimmer.

 

I am going on 5 years without a skimmer.

 

If you are running bio pellets I would turn them off too and just let the live rock do its job. Increase the frequency of the water changes. If you do one WC per week, maybe do two.

But as others have stated, some don't run skimmers.

 

I do bi-weelky 5 gal water changes on my 29 biocube and don't run a skimmer. All has been well for over a year.

 

A whole thread full of skimmer haters. ;D
Increase surface agitation and keep your eye on parameters but as stated it should be fine if you are not overstocked or overfeeding.