Do I need a protein skimmer?

[Ccote]

I have a 29 gallon tank with 4 fish and a clean up crew. I have a bubble tip anemone and 7 small frags. None of my corals have matured yet. I had an algae problem so I bought a protein skimmer. Not sure that was the right decision. It’s an aqua max 1.5 hob. I do weekly 5 gallon water changes. My softies don’t seem to be very happy. Could I be over skimming? I know the skimmer is meant for a much larger tank. Is over skimming even a thing?

 

[WIReefer]

I’ve had my tank running for more than a year with 5 fish and never had a skimmer.

 

[sprungson]

I have a 29 gallon tank with 4 fish and a clean up crew. I have a bubble tip anemone and 7 small frags. None of my corals have matured yet. I had an algae problem so I bought a protein skimmer. Not sure that was the right decision. It’s an aqua max 1.5 hob. I do weekly 5 gallon water changes. My softies don’t seem to be very happy. Could I be over skimming? I know the skimmer is meant for a much larger tank. Is over skimming even a thing?

I ran without a shower in my 65 gal for half a year

 

[Billdogg]

I ran my 60 cube for 22 years without a skimmer. That being said, a skimmer can make life easier, but for the price you'll pay for a decent one for that size tank I could do a whole lot of water changes.

 

[Dempsey941]

I ran without a shower in my 65 gal for half a year

That must have been a very smelly experience.

 

[sprungson]

That must have been a very smelly experience.

No because I only had 3 fish and I didn't feed. They were just eating the copepods

 

[Dempsey941]

I ran without a shower in my 65 gal for half a year

That must have been a very smelly experience.

No because I only had 3 fish and I didn't feed. They were just eating the copepods

Clearly the joke misfired.

 

[sprungson]

Clearly the joke misfired.

Lol

 

[Sbpe]

I have a biocube 32 running 1.5 years without skimmer. I was was interested in algae turf scrubbers when I read about them. I added a diy hang on glass scrubber and have next to no hair algae in tank. May be an option for you.