Are Skimmers a necessity?
- Thread starter Pelagikos
- Start date
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TangerineSpeedo
2500 Club Member
Just Yes!
Why? Because your tank is a toilet and your skimmer is a very nice cleaning person that doesn’t mind cleaning your toilet. And as a bonus your skimmer will throw in gas exchange and raise your PH for free.
Yes there are other ways to "NOT" have a skimmer, but why? Why would you make your life purposely difficult.
Why? Because your tank is a toilet and your skimmer is a very nice cleaning person that doesn’t mind cleaning your toilet. And as a bonus your skimmer will throw in gas exchange and raise your PH for free.
Yes there are other ways to "NOT" have a skimmer, but why? Why would you make your life purposely difficult.
OP
OP
Pelagikos
Active Member
So, everyone cleans their toilet differently... to the same end so to speak
What if one chooses a different export system and gas exchange system?
Chrisv.
2500 Club Member
Skimmers can be great, but let's not forget that they also remove pelagic bacteria that sps corals eat, often smell bad, are often loud, and require maintenance. I have run tanks with and without over the years, but I'm not sold on the idea that they are essential, or even really make things easier. Right now I'm running three skimmerless reefs.
TangerineSpeedo
2500 Club Member
That's fine, I just haven’t seen another method that I feel impressed me more.So, everyone cleans their toilet differently... to the same end so to speak
What if one chooses a different export system and gas exchange system?
nickg
Well-Known Member
I say definitely Can have to much filtration…. unless FOWLER! Think, corals eat by filtering crap and elements out of the water….
Skimmer a must, NO. Other ways to get to what you want.
Me, I run a SMALL fuge and BIG dang SKIMMER!!
Skimmer a must, NO. Other ways to get to what you want.
Me, I run a SMALL fuge and BIG dang SKIMMER!!
NO
nickg
Well-Known Member
I say definitely Can have to much filtration…. unless FOWLER! Think, corals eat by filtering crap and elements out of the water….
Nope, but the pump may be useful
Idech
2500 Club Member
I vote yes even though I am a beginner in saltwater. I had been in freshwater for 30 years before starting a reef and I am amazed everyday to have a piece of equipment that can take the crap out of my water !
I wish I could have had such a thing for my freshwater tanks. Maybe in 10 years I’ll be blasé but for now I will remain amazed...
I wish I could have had such a thing for my freshwater tanks. Maybe in 10 years I’ll be blasé but for now I will remain amazed...
doubleshot00
2500 Club Member
It depends on tank size and bioload. Small tank and small bioload. No. 40gal breeder with 10 fish yes.
PeterC99
Solarbenchmark.com
These threads are very bad for our hobby!
While protein skimmers may not be an absolute necessary for a successful saltwater aquarium, most beginner & intermediate aquarists will need one to get started to understand the fundamentals of a successful reef.
While protein skimmers may not be an absolute necessary for a successful saltwater aquarium, most beginner & intermediate aquarists will need one to get started to understand the fundamentals of a successful reef.
ScubaShane
MENTAL REEF DISORDER!
Couldn't put it better to a newbie myself!
LPS Bum
Well-Known Member
Necessary? No. Helpful? Yes.
I’ve run fish only and reef systems with and without skimmers for many years. Both ways have been successful.
Having said that, I wouldn’t set up another system without one. Once you see how much garbage a good skimmer pulls out, it’s hard to go back to not having one. But there are lots of different ways to be successful in this hobby.
I’ve run fish only and reef systems with and without skimmers for many years. Both ways have been successful.
Having said that, I wouldn’t set up another system without one. Once you see how much garbage a good skimmer pulls out, it’s hard to go back to not having one. But there are lots of different ways to be successful in this hobby.
