Nano Reefs: Skimmer? Water Changes?

[caa100]

I have been doing a lot of reading and planning for a 55g reef tank. All the books I have read say something along the lines of "dont try anyting smaller than 40g -- its too hard to keep the water parameters balanced."

Yet you all have very beautiful, very small nano-setups.

And I grow more confused as I see that some of you don't use skimmers, and some of you employ the much-mailigned under-gravel filter....

So how do you do it? Could you provide a rundown on your filtration systems, water change routines, and supplements?

Curious...

[Phish]

Well, it depends, I dont run a Skimmer, and I dont see myself doing water changes unless needed (emergancy) I have powerful lights that have me fill in 2 cups a day, all you have to do is use RO/DI water for the top off and then your tank has all the 'good' minerals you would get from a water change.

[Travis]

all you have to do is use RO/DI water for the top off and then your tank has all the 'good' minerals you would get from a water change.

I respectfully disagree. RO/DI water contains NO minerals... and top off water does nothing that a water change will do.

Back to the question... it is highly recommended that a new hobbyist start with at least a 40-55g tank. Reason for this is the smaller the water quantity the less forgiving it is to mistakes.

In most nano's the bio-load is kept very low which helps you not to need a skimmer and a fuge. Also water changes IMO are VERY, VERY important. I personally do a 1g a week water change faithfully in my 6g... that is over a 15% water change weekly which is a lot but it keeps my trates low.

That's my 2c