[CaptainK]

Hi Everyone,
I got my bottle of kick-ich and am ready to start treatment. But on the bottle it suggests turning off the skimmer for the duration of the 15 day treatment for it to be most effective.
I have never had my skimmer turned off for more than an hour for cleanings let alone 15 days.
I am using a CPR BackPak2 and I usually empty the cup every 2 or 3 days. The cup never reaches the half way full, or empty, mark (depending on how you want to look at it)
I am just wondering if the corals/inverts/fish would be ok if I turned off the skimmer for that long???

Thanks,
CaptK

[Reinhold]

I've had my skimmer off for 3-4 days when my Rio powerhead gave out, and I had to wait for a new PH to arrive. I skimmed huge amounts when I turned it back on.

Even when going skimmerless, I think a transition period is necessary. You don't just turn off the skimmer for good. If it were me, I'd leave it off for 3 days, then skim for awhile, and turn it off again for a few days. I would not do 15 days straight with no skimmer.

[CaptainK]

Thanks Reinhold...
Does anyone else have any thoughts aobut turning off my skimmer for that long of a time.
Or if I turn it on for only a couple of hours only a few times during the treatment??

Thanks,
CaptK

[icemark]

Before there were skimmers, there were/are water changes.

15 days shouldn't be a problem at all unless the tank is overstocked.

I actually have not used a skimmer in 6 months, with no problems on my 30 gal reef. If anything the corals and Gorgonians have had better growth, and the few problem algaes such as hair or Bubble have had reduced growth or disappeared. Maybe this is your chance to also try going skimmerless and see how it affects your reef.

[MarkS]

Visit the Skimmerless forum at Aqualink.

A growing number of people do not and will not use skimmers, myself included.

Just do weekly water changes. You'll be fine.

Mark