Skimmer.. Is it necessary?

[Bray]

Hi All
I have a 60 gal fish only tank which has been running for about 8 weeks. I bought the aquarium from a buddy so some of the details aren't perfect- I apologize... I am running two Hang-on Emperors, one the big double, the other the single. I am considering adding more stock to the tank- here is what I've got presently...

4" DSB (35% live)
60 lbs of fiji live rock
5" Tomato Clown
4" Yellow Tang
5" lunar wrasse
lawnmower blennie
2 12" snowflake eels
one unidentified eel 10" long
50-60 bluelegged hermits
I am concerned about waste accumulation, although I've had no problems, as the eels get larger and I want to add more fish I worry about my filtration. I plan to keep a fish only tank- don't want to mess with the inverts!I am considering the CPR 2R backpack model, is this necessary? If so- does the rio 600 do the job- or as I've read- is it worth the maxi-jet 900?? thanks for your help..... Bray

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't add anything to that tank--I wouldn't have that many fish in 120! You really might want to upgrade, or divide and conquer. That's a huge bioload for a SW system.


A skimmer would help, but not a requirement. Water changes will make up for the lack of a skimmer. Right now, the hermits are probably helping a great deal with the wastes, but with the snowflakes, the hermits will slowly turn into snacks.

[DeltaUguy]

Did I read that right? 3 eels and a Lunare wrasse? Way too many fish! Also that Lunare Wrasse will become a complete butthead as he grows larger. My roommate has one that is about 9 inches and it rules that tank with an iron fist. It eats like a horse and swims like a psycho. I would think about getting rid of him and 2 of the eels as well. I'm kinda suprised that the blenny hasn't become an eel snack yet.

But to answer your question: skimmers are not necessary, but are helpful. If you do go with the CPR, upgrade to the MaxiJet, I've heard bad things about Rio pumps.

Hope that helps!

[kreblak]

Wow, that is a LOT of fish for a 60 gallon tank. Especially the eels. Delta is right about the Wrasse, he will become a jerk, if he isn't already. With that bioload in the tank, I would run a skimmer, unless you are fond of frequent water changes. However, it is not necessary. What is your water change schedule? With a bioload that big, your nitrate levels are going to be astronimical after a while.

[Bray]

Thanks for your responses....I bought a Via-Aqua Multi-Skimmer rated for tanks up to 80 gallons...I am concerned about the bio-load- although I now, almost 3 months after set-up, register no nitrate...What would you guys suggest I do? I now have the double emperor and the skimmer running- should I put the single emperor back on as well?? The wrasse is the most docile fish in the tank- he gets pushed out of the way by both the tomato and the tang, so I am not concerned with his aggression level....the eels are slender, so I am not too worried about my hermits- as they get larger I am expecting to pull one or both of the snowflakes out.. until then- is it necessary to get rid of some of my fish?? Would it help to bolster my cleaning crew?? more live rock?? more live sand? Any other ideas would be GREATLY appreciated...

[OrionGirl]

The biggest problem is not filtration, it's space. If the bio-load was too much for the bacteria bed, you would see ammonia/nitrites, and high nitrates. You would also see problems with the tang--they are very sensitive to water quality fluctuations.

The territory issue will cause problems. I wouldn't trust that wrasse at all--fish tend to suffer dramatic personality changes, not gradual ones. Too many fish in too small of quarters results in carnage more often than not, and almost always in stunting.

[Bray]

thanks oriongirl...i guess the wrasse is outta there... are there any possible replacements that would fill a niche that isn't filled? ALso.. my live rock is spaced to where the fish have plenty of spots for refuge.. there is little conflict I can discern, and there even seems to be some sort of interaction (measured, peaceful) between my eel and the tang and clown???

[Bray]

sorry.. one more thing- what is "stunting"? thanks

[Slappy*McFish]

Many people run nothing but a skimmer in their tanks...granted you have plenty of live rock and sand. This was my preferred method of "filtration" when I was keeping saltwater fish. You should buy the largest and most effective skimmer you can afford.
My old 90 gallon housed an adult volitans lionfish and a 24" dragon moray using nothing but a large skimmer. Before the addition of those two fish, it housed a yellow tang, regal tang, flame angel, and a clown trigger.

[ChilDawg]

Originally posted by Bray
sorry.. one more thing- what is "stunting"? thanks

Stunting occurs when aquarists give insufficient room in their tanks for a fish to meet its full growth rate. This is a stress-inducing practice, so care should be taken to avoid doing it.

[kreblak]

Oriongirl brings up a very good point about the tang. Yellow Tangs show stress very early on if the problem is water quality. They are sort of like mineshaft canaries, in that if you see anything wrong with the Tang, it will likely affect the others soon. If your tang is eating well, grazing on tank algae, and brightly colored (no pale whitish spots) than your water quality is fine.

It is good that you have created a lot of caves and hiding spots for your fish. That is keeping fights to a minimum. Also, I wouldn't worry about the cleanup crew right now, 50 hermits is definately sufficient. If you begin to see their numbers decline, then you should think about adding more, perhaps some scarlet hermits or a mithrax crab.