Protein Skimmer Needed?

[Jesshika]

I talked to two LFS about whether or not I needed a protein skimmer and one said I definitely need one and the other just said it helps a lot. I have a live rock/live sand setup right now and maybe in the future I want to get some soft corals but do I really need the skimmer? And is there one that is really silent? Any recommendations? Thanks! :grinyes:

 

[Catpicklesdog]

You don't NEED one but they definately help. I went 3 years without one when I had my 60gal, but since upgrading to my 182gal I've been using the TMC V2 skimmer. The amount of gunk it pulls out is quite frightening. Saying that I don't have one on my 34 gal and no plans to add one on there.

 

[archer772]

You dont need a Skimmer but without one you will NEED to do weekly WC's of about 25% IMO, myself I would not set up a tank without one. We need to know if you are running a sump or will it be hangon and if in sump how much room and how tall of a skimmer can fit.

 

[Jesshika]

I don't have a sump, I just have a HOB filter for now. So then the skimmer will hang on the back of the tank too?

 

[nycsicktank]

if you dont want sump. yeah