what are the different kind of reef tanks

I dont think there is an option if you want to be successful a REEF of any kind IMO

 

please take a look at my pictures. No skimmer in my tank and I seem to be doing something right. There is more than one way to do things.

I have used skimmer and have not, so I think I can make a valid comparision.

 

I can not see any links in sig... no albums in profile.. Ive been on a long hunt for this skimmerless tank
can Seano point me in the right direction ;D

 

This one?

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/my-2-5-year-old-jbj-28-gal-95347.html

 

No skimmer.

 

Hey I was right. Very nice looking tank.

 

I have also run skimmerless tanks and have the following comments

1) I didnt attempt it until I felt I had the basic knowledge and understanding of water parameters and more importantly confidence that I would know how to address any issues I encountered
2) I basically set up a 4ft tank , and had fish and corals from the beginners list of both types - Damsels , clowns and a Royal Gramma, Zoanthids, shrooms, leathers, clove polyps, yellow polyps, toadstool etc ( this tank was in UK over 15 years ago so I dont have any images )
3) I was extremely regular with water changes ( I was doing 10% each week then)
4) I occasionally ran a Polyfilter tm in my cannister filter in order to collect excess nutrients in the system
5) I was cautious in feeding the fish and I rarely added any food supplements for those corals - they where under 6 x 40 watt T8s so I figured the lighting was going to provide for all their needs)
6) even in those days I was a fan of "Putting it all on the rock" so had no media except carbon and occasionaly the polyfilter in my external cannister filter
7) I ran that tank for over 12 months without any major issues, and it was only my desire to progress to more sensitive fish and corals, that prompted me to purchase a skimmer

Steve

 

I'll second that,allthough i've never ran sps coral.The pic in my avitar was my first reef,a 55 with softies and easier lps coral,i went skimmerless for over a year before i bought a used seaclone without any major issues.

Dellyjoe-Corailline gave you great advise,check out and google the different types of coral and fish and after you have an idea of what you want in your tank, then research the requirements of what your wanting to keep.and make your equipment purchases according to what you intend to keep.Every tank is different and therefore every tank has different requirements.I do believe a skimmer is very important,but not a nessesity for all tanks,providing proper maintenance and religious water changes are preformed.

 

There are two kinds.

1. Go slow, let it grow mentality. Slow, never rushed, properly setup.
2. The rushed, impulse buying, cheap equipment, "plan on upgrading".


That's my 2 cents.

 

thanks for everyone for saying a little and i'm looking into what i need for a sps reef