Noob question:

[krg]

Well..I just took my latest readings, and I'm a little surprised. I'll be the first to say that, I'm lazy. I'd love to have an imaculate tank like many of you have. Without a sump, and without a skimmer..I just don't know how possible that is. I have some algae growing(red and green) that I haven't stayed on top of, and I have some things growing that I don't know what they are. They kinda look like a cross between plants, and weeds. I also think I may have bristleworms. I have little crawlie..somethings. They look like little larvea of something. Well..i'd say like a wee little centepede, not really a worm. My water changes are infrequent and as you read earlier..I'm not even sure what I'm vacuuming or doing when I do a water change. I haven't added any salt to my tank in months. I've only topped up my tank with RO water when it's evaporated. And with all of this my readings are good.
PH:8.2
Amonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0
Phosphate: .5
Salinity:1.023
Temp: 80.4
I'm not doing much, and it seems to be working. As I said..I'd like to have a tank worth showing off, I just got to get off my lazy rear-end, and maybe buy a skimmer and powerheads, etc..etc..
As I read your posts, I realise how very little I know, and how much work I should be doing. Any thoughts??
Take care everyone,
Kennan

[krg]

I'm going to check on a -hang-on-the-back sump and see if it can work for me. As well as a skimmer. I might be able to do this yet...

[Jfish]

Well just because you have good readings doesn't mean your in the clear. The red and green algea you speak of and weed like things (hair algea maybe) grow off of excessive nutrients in your tank. They are consuming the nitrates/phosphates in your tank and will keep growing until you reduce the amount of nutrients. Cyanobacteria may also be growing, its a red/purple slime that grows on anything when nutrients are low and flow is low.

The tiny worm like things sound like copeods or amphipods which are tiny little inverts that live in the rocks and sand. These along with bristle worms are beneficial life thats starting to grow in your tank.

You should never have to add salt directly to the display tank. Salt will not evaporate out of your tank so you should only have to add RO to keep your salinity right. Only time you need salt is when mixing water for a change.

Im sure there are people with very successful tanks that go no sump no skimmer. Lots of good quality live rock can provide enough beneficial bacteria to sustain a system. Thats why live rock is one of the best investments you can make in your aquarium. But since your just starting out its probably best to do as much research as possible and have all the tools neccessary before you try it with the bare minimum.

[krg]

Thanks for the advice!!
I just got back from my LFS and was checking out a skimmer. Is anybody familiar with an ESHOPPS PSK-100H? I'm going to do my research this weekend and maybe buy it next week(as well as a powerhead). Thanks again for the advice. I'll post more in the next day or so!! Take care,
Kennan