Protein Skimmer

[Broken]

Hi all, I am new to using the boards, but have watched posts here for a long time now. I have 2 fresh water tanks setup a 75 and 90. So I went to my LFS that I have been dealing with for years, to pickup some new fish I ordered, and was talking to a few of the people that work there and they said I really needed to buy a Protein Skimmer, and they were telling me all about it. Since I am the kind of person that does not want to drop 100+ bucks on something without doing some research I told them I would get back with them about it. Sounds cool what it does, so I did some research on them and from what I have found so far that Protein Skimmer is only needed for Marine tank? Is this true? I am starting to think they were going to hope and make a quick buck on me. Any input on this would be great to confirm Protein Skimmer really has no point in freshwater tank, maybe it does, and that what I want to find out 100% for sure.


Thanks

[thom336]

A protein skimmer wouldnt do anything in a freshwater set-up - they were trying to make a 'quick buck' im afraid...lcuky you didnt buy it there an then!

[Broken]

The more I do research today on it and read on it you are 100% correct, they were trying to get me to spend big money on something I did not need. Funny how I thought I could trust those guys since I have been dealing with them so long and they just wanted to make an extra buck off of me. The unit they were trying to sell me was about 260.

Thanks for the reply.

[Cearbhaill]

I'd be real inclined to ask them exactly why they were trying to sell you something that you clearly can not use.
At least just to let them know you see through it and know they are crooks!

[slipknottin]

There are no inexpensive protein skimmers avaliable that would actually remove protein compounds from FW.

They will oxygenate your water, which in some cases might be neccessary, but otherwise there trying to get you to waste your money.

Protein skimmers can and do work in FW tanks, but need lots of modification to get them to work effecively. In most cases water changes are a heck of alot more effective.