I was wondering if everyone that is using Stevie's media racks is actually going skimmerless in their biocubes or running it in conjunction. I have a aqua C nano running right now but it really isn't doing too much and I am starting to get some elevate nitrate and phosphate readings. Ideally I would like to just ditch the skimmer and go with media and water changes. What is everyone's thoughts?

+1 for me too!!! I'm already running the intank set by steve along with the biocube skimmer and wondering if I should just scrap the skimmer,it barely does anything as it is...

I do plan on doing the longer tube mod to the biocube skimmer to see if it helps any...

I'm running the inTank setup without the skimmer (although I do own it). I've not had much success with the submersible lights and cheato in the fuge rack, but I just got some more cheato and am taking a second shot at it. I've had some green/red turf algea I am battling. I have not considered running the skimmer in a while, because I only have one clown goby in my tank. When I get more fish, I might re-add it.

I am also starting to see some algea. I have a pair of clowns, my CUC, and various corals but that is all. I have already added the 6hf return pump and koralia for extra flow but I am not happy with my water quality even with weekly changes.

You can go without a skimmer on a small tank, they are not necessary.

What water quality issues are you having?

I was seeing a bit of algae too with two clowns and the goby (plus corals and cuc).

I don't test my water oftern, but when I do, it always seems fine. I tried going to bi-weekly water changes, but that was a bad idea. Weekly seems to be much better for me. I also have an MJ1200 pump and K1 in the display. I have a Rio6HF that I use for mixing salt water, but once I drag my butt to the store and get some tubing, I'll replace the 1200 with it.

Where is your Koralia in the display. Mine is in the upper left.

Water is a little cloudy for some reason and I am starting to see elevated nitrates and phosphates in the biocube. Generally I haven't had any issues in this tank but would like to just get it set up on autopilot. I am having a similar issue on my 180 now as well so I am leaning towards the salt I just started using as a possible cause since both tanks are starting down a bad path. That is another issue though and I getting ready to post about my 180 for advice as well.

I have mine on the oppostie side of my return. I put locline and Y off of my return as well to provide more flow coverage.

I'm running the steviet's media rack without a skimmer in my bc29. So far so good. Not planning on adding one unless something convinces me I really need it.

I would imagine you are using RO water. What type of media are you running? How often do you feed?

I use RO water and currently am not running any media which is why I was looking into your media racks. I feed my clowns every day a variety of different things and I feed my corals twice a week.

Cut back your feeding to every other day, I feed my tank three times a week and the food is gone very quickly.

A better filtration setup will help as well

How much food do you feed 3 times a week, I feed every day but only a very small amount, Ive been running my 29g for a year now with no skimmer and all my reading are always on par...

I am just looking for reasons for cloudy water.

I feed about a quarter size of frozen food Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I use Rods Food

Hi,

I'm running a Biocube 29. I was running a skimmer until my order for the inTank units came from Steve. In the second chamber I have the two units from Steve. The first one has filter media, Chemipure Elite, and Purigen. The second unit has a macro algae (my lfs didn't have chaeto, so I just got what they had until I can find chaeto) with one of the submersible lights. The third chamber still has the original sponge and pump. I have a Hydor Flo on the stock return, along with a Koralia Nano, and a Koralia 1.

I have a bit of what I call "regular" green algae growing on the back of the tank, and I clean the glass every couple of days or so. I have a pair of clowns (false percula), a CUC made of hermits and a few snails. I have two shrimp and one coral so far. I have a great macro algae growing from my live rock, which has good coralline growth.

I tested all the parameters this morning, and all's well.

I ordered the Biocube skimmer, and I still have the skimmer that my lfs sold me with the tank, but at the moment, I don't see the need for it. All my numbers are perfect. The tank's fairly new, so I might see the need for one of them in the future, but right now, I'm happy with everything.