sump

[Bob I]

As for the skimmer; I wouldn't run a tank without one.. That's not saying you can't, many have done so successfully. If you're willing to do frequent water changes and have some other export mechanism in place, you'll do fine I guess. If you don't and also don't run a skimmer, eventually you'll run into nutrient problems.

Just for discussion here. It was, and still is my understanding that the purpose of a DSB is to handle the Nitrate to Nitrogen gas conversion. With Nitrate being the end product of organic waste breakdown it seems to obviate the need for a skimmer. By applying this strategy one also lessens the need for water changes, and the need for nutrient export.

That is how interpret findings, and that is how I run my tanks quite successfully I might add.