Skimmer or not?

[Shadoe]

Would it be ok to go ahead and pass up a skimmer (In a new tank) for now and get everything else established, then go back and get the skimmer? :confused:

As long as I had live rock and sand.

[mogurnda]

Others will probably differ, but I'd push to get the skimmer now. The tank doesn't need to get all that foul to get a cycle going, and removal of organics by the skimmer will help keep the life on/in the LR and LS alive. Even people who cure their rock in tubs away from the main tank often use skimmers.

[Shadoe]

Ok thanks for the advice.......


-Shadoe:D

[frazin78]

IMO the skimmer is just as important as the LR is. It's better to get the best skimmer available then get the best canister filter or HOB filter.

Jc

[gcvt]

I would also highly reccommend getting a good quality skimmer...especially if you're new to marine tanks.

[Shadoe]

Just to let you guys know, I went out and got a skimmer at my lfs. It seems like a good one. Hopefully it will work out.

I noticed some of you mentioned a hob filter. Will that work if it has the carbon in it?!


Thanks
-Shadoe:D

[gcvt]

Originally posted by Shadoe
Just to let you guys know, I went out and got a skimmer at my lfs. It seems like a good one. Hopefully it will work out.


What kind did ya get?


Originally posted by Shadoe
I noticed some of you mentioned a hob filter. Will that work if it has the carbon in it?!


A hang-on-back type filter is good for running carbon when needed. When you're not running carbon, you can run it with no media for a little extra water flow or you can turn it off completely. Keep in mind that carbon only lasts a couple days and is only needed when your trying to remove medications and things like that. Cheers.

[Shadoe]

The brand of skimmer I got was a Coralife Protein Skimmer. It's working very well so far. I put some food close to it and it worked really good. Not to mention I gave a pretty penny for it. I know the price dosn't always tell the quality though!:p I do have a hob filter too.
So do I keep the skimmer or hob filter in there 24/7? :confused:

Thanks again
-Shadoe

[mogurnda]

The size and type of skimmer depends a lot on the tank size and configuration. How big a tank is it, and do you have a sump?

I don't know anything about corallife skimmers, but I would push for one of the "tried and true" models, from CPR, AquaC, etc.

I run my skimmer on a timer about 20 hours on, 4 hours off at night. I do it so that the larvae released by the crustaceans will stay in the tank and be eaten, rather than being skimmed off. It also seems to reduce salt block in the air intake.

[Shadoe]

Thanks again for your feedback. :)

It is working very well so far. I do plan on getting a better known name of skimmer in the near future, though. So do I need to have a filter running along w/ the skimmer, or just when I have the skimmer off?!:confused:

(The skimmer can take up to a 30 gallon tank and I'm starting out w/ a 10 gallon.)

Thanks
-Shadoe

[frazin78]

If you have a good protein skimmer, a good amount of LR, good maintenance habits ( water changes ) then you should have any problems. A filter isn't necessary as it can sometimes become a trap for a Nitrate spike.

Jc