protein skimmers are they needed?

2

2revup

AC Members
Apr 20, 2006
22
0
0
ok guys after doing some reading through the forums, it seems as though alot of people are using skimmers, Do i need one? can i have a succseful tank with out one? I have more then enough filtration the tank is 275L (72Gal) I have a 1500Liters/Hour canister and 1200L/H (simialr to canister but does this through the lid of the tank, as its inbuilt also). so this is plenty filtration, I have a stack of live rock, the weekly 10 - 15% water changes?
do i really need one would it benifit me and if so how?
 
IMO, yes, you absolutly do, especialy if you have a reef tank.
a protein skimmer works like this: It creats millions of microbubbles. Each using the polar properties of water to attract a nonpolar molecule or waste (poop, decaying food, ect). Everything that will contribute to poor water quality. Then it causes a foaming action which goes over the top into the collection cup. So it is all removed from your tank and you can dump it out. It helps keep nutrient levels low which is a good thing, esspecialy when you get into more sensitive corals like SPS.
you would definatly benifit. your corals and fish will thank you.
 
depends on stocking, feeding, your definition of sucsessful. Be it a freshwater, saltwater, reef or brackishwater tank ther is no single piece of equipment you absoulutly have to have.
 
i say no you dont need a skimmer my fish store tells me that it is comman to over filter your water. People in this forum go crazy with filtration. They will put in the biggest bio wheel filter that they can get,A cannister filter, sump and axuiler tank,The biggest skimmer they can find. and anything other sort of filtration they can find. On top of this they will have a 90 gallon tank and only have 1 damsal in there. People are getting rediculaus with filtering. I have seen people do 75 gallon reef tanks with the only filter was live rock and water changes ever 2 weeks and they have had vary succesfull tanks.
 
fishinak its good to hear a subjective side to it. As i also have been to several LFS and they say you dont need one. some say its highly recommended, others say that provided you have decent filtration and regular water changes occur there is no need.
I am avioding getting one for the time being, simply because i dont want to have an ungly protein skimmer hanging around, and i cant afford an sump at the moment.
All my testing has perfect results. So with that i say protein skimmer is not needed, provided due care is taken.
(protein skimmers also remove alot of good additives i also been told several times)
 
It depends on what you want to have in terms of if you need a skimmer or not. If you go reef you will almost be required to have one, the degree of success depends on what type of corals and inverts you want to have, how big your aquarium is, and how much Live Rock it has.


My advice is to get a list together of what you want to keep in your aquarium and what size of aquarium you have and post it here.
 
fishinak said:
i say no you dont need a skimmer my fish store tells me that it is comman to over filter your water. People in this forum go crazy with filtration. They will put in the biggest bio wheel filter that they can get,A cannister filter, sump and axuiler tank,The biggest skimmer they can find. and anything other sort of filtration they can find. On top of this they will have a 90 gallon tank and only have 1 damsal in there. People are getting rediculaus with filtering. I have seen people do 75 gallon reef tanks with the only filter was live rock and water changes ever 2 weeks and they have had vary succesfull tanks.
Click to expand...

I have no mechanical filter, no bio wheel no canister no internal filter, all i have is two powerheads, live rock live sand and a protien skimmer, I have never been hapier with the tank, using canisters and other filters i had no end of problems with nitrates and algae, not anymore
 
fishinak said:
i say no you dont need a skimmer my fish store tells me that it is comman to over filter your water. People in this forum go crazy with filtration. They will put in the biggest bio wheel filter that they can get,A cannister filter, sump and axuiler tank,The biggest skimmer they can find. and anything other sort of filtration they can find. On top of this they will have a 90 gallon tank and only have 1 damsal in there. People are getting rediculaus with filtering. I have seen people do 75 gallon reef tanks with the only filter was live rock and water changes ever 2 weeks and they have had vary succesfull tanks.
Click to expand...

I have no mechanical filter, no bio wheel no canister no internal filter, all i have is two powerheads, live rock live sand and a protien skimmer, I have never been hapier with the tank, using canisters and other filters i had no end of problems with nitrates and algae, not anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom