I'm going to convert my 75 gallon african cichlid tank into a reef tank. I've been reading that canister filters are nitrate factories, which is strange to me because the work my fw system. Anyways I'm lookin into getting a protein skimmer, the Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer rated at 125 gallons, plus LR and LS. Would this alone be enough filtration?
Is a protein skimmer neccesairy?
- Thread starter fishyguy
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jservedio
Active Member
I consider a protein skimmer necessary for any tank larger than 20 or 30 gallons. I even run a big skimmer on my 20g. Canister filters are considered nitrate factories because what is considered acceptable nitrates for freshwater is considered too high for a reef. 40-60ppm nitrates might be perfectly acceptable for a standard freshwater tank, but that is 10x what you are looking for on typical reef. Anything that collects detritus is considered a "nitrate factory" unless you clean it/replace it regularly. Lots of people use filter socks which work similarly to floss in a canister, but they are much easier to change out.
On the other hand, an empty canister filter (no floss/sponges) can work well as a makeshift media reactor to keep your carbon and/or GFO - it'll also give you a little bit extra flow in your tank (though it almost negligible in a larger tank).
I have no experience with the Coralife skimmer so maybe someone else can chime in on that particular model. But yes, you should have a skimmer.
On the other hand, an empty canister filter (no floss/sponges) can work well as a makeshift media reactor to keep your carbon and/or GFO - it'll also give you a little bit extra flow in your tank (though it almost negligible in a larger tank).
I have no experience with the Coralife skimmer so maybe someone else can chime in on that particular model. But yes, you should have a skimmer.
Properly maintained canister filters work wonderfully for FW or SW. The key is in keeping the media well rinsed from detritus buildup. Doubly so for SW.
As for a skimmer being a must have. More so on larger tanks containing larger bio-loads and where weekly WC can become a pain.
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As for a skimmer being a must have. More so on larger tanks containing larger bio-loads and where weekly WC can become a pain.
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