I didn't have a skimmer for my first ten years. Probably sholdnt buy any corals though and you need to be very consistent with your weekly water changes. I would also make sure you have plenty of live rock and live sand to make up the difference.
Is a protein skimmer neccesary
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Razorback reef
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The need for a skimmer is determined by nutrient level. Even with a high bioload nutrients can be exported by biological means such as macroalgae and micro fauna in sand bed, chemical means carbon and GFO, and more direct means such as water changes.
A skimmer simply makes it simpler and more convenient.
A skimmer simply makes it simpler and more convenient.
Jeremy Willis
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No not if you do enough water changes.
jrwoltman
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It's great, fits perfectly in the rear chamber of my Biocube.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Corali...HQ73ree9tRvK8X4Njk4GQ3jNuYreFg4EaAkwtEALw_wcB
Labridaedicted
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I used to run an column reef that the only filtration on it was a basketball sized clump of chaeto. Granted, it was mostly softy and LPS and a low fish load, it performed well and maintained a low nutrient level.
So, no, most definitely not necessary.
That being said, with a larger system of more sensitive inverts and/or a large fish load, it does become more crucial.
So, no, most definitely not necessary.
That being said, with a larger system of more sensitive inverts and/or a large fish load, it does become more crucial.
Forsaken77
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I didn't even know they made skimmers with limewood stones anymore. That's a fossil right there, the origin of skimmers
Just have to make sure it'll fit in the Nuvo's compartment, which is slim.
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Forsaken77
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If you want a skimmer, it's better to just save until you can get one that performs well. It's not a necessity at all, especially when the tank is new. I would look at the Tunze he mentioned and see if it'll fit (I knew there was a Tunze that fit these), then just save until you can get it. With skimmers a lot of the time you get what you pay for, except for a few exceptions that are overpriced garbage.
And while we're on new tanks, you may want a small 10 gallon to quarantine the fish in before you put them in the tank. Most fish come with diseases and parasites these days. And trust me, you don't want any of that in your main tank. There's an article on how to simply setup a quarantine tank on here.
Also, you should wait at least 3 weeks - a month between adding each fish. The biological system has to adjust. If it's overloaded at once you'll have problems.
I'm sure you know this isn't a cheap hobby to get into. But for the most part, once you have the equipment, you're set. So buying a $26 skimmer, when you can get by until you can afford a better one is a waste of money.
A lot of people buy the equipment in steps. It's just the necessary stuff you need in the beginning (like a tank, stand, heater, filter, filter media, thermometer, rock, sand, net, food, and a tap water dechlorinator like Seachem Prime if not using RO/DI water).
I have been piecing together a 180 gallon tank for about 6 months now. I already have a 93 gallon cube and now have to rebuy all of the same equipment in a bigger size. I can't afford everything all at once either.
But if your new to saltwater setups, make sure to read how the nitrogen cycle works and a simple quarantine tank.
And while we're on new tanks, you may want a small 10 gallon to quarantine the fish in before you put them in the tank. Most fish come with diseases and parasites these days. And trust me, you don't want any of that in your main tank. There's an article on how to simply setup a quarantine tank on here.
Also, you should wait at least 3 weeks - a month between adding each fish. The biological system has to adjust. If it's overloaded at once you'll have problems.
I'm sure you know this isn't a cheap hobby to get into. But for the most part, once you have the equipment, you're set. So buying a $26 skimmer, when you can get by until you can afford a better one is a waste of money.
A lot of people buy the equipment in steps. It's just the necessary stuff you need in the beginning (like a tank, stand, heater, filter, filter media, thermometer, rock, sand, net, food, and a tap water dechlorinator like Seachem Prime if not using RO/DI water).
I have been piecing together a 180 gallon tank for about 6 months now. I already have a 93 gallon cube and now have to rebuy all of the same equipment in a bigger size. I can't afford everything all at once either.
But if your new to saltwater setups, make sure to read how the nitrogen cycle works and a simple quarantine tank.
ALbque
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The only solution is more frequent water changes to run without a PS, which in itself will be more costly in the long run. Bite the bullet and buy yourself a protein skimmer.........
Surfandturf
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I water change weekly ~10-15% and I run a skimmer. You would be surprised at what you have in a skimmer even doing weekly water changes. So to answer your question about the necessity of a protein skimmer, it depends. What do you want your water to look like and what quality are you going for. If you have sps, you may want to run one.
Girthrockwel
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I'd just limit my livestock some till you can get a skimmer. The nasty stuff that they pull from the water is pretty incredible.
Definitely get the TUNZE 9004DC. I had the Hydor Slim on my 30 gallon, it is noisy, it didn't produce much, and the gasket that holds the skimmer cup broke, stupid design. The Tunze is silent and working great. I also have a algae reactor on this tank, I have seahorses. After I got rid of the Hydor, I tried to go skimmer less and tried an up flow algae scrubber, it didn't work well and the tank started to go down hill. Gargonians stopped putting their polyps out for example. I ditched the scrubber, still have the algae reactor, and got the TUNZE 9004DC. The tank has come back, Gargonians are back out, everything is doing well again. I do 5 gallon water changes every weekend without fail, wouldn't go without the skimmer. What's your Bioload?
Vince57
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That's the beauty of this hobby, and this site!
There are plenty of gadgets to help us achieve our end goal, some great, some bad, but it's all subjective to each individual hobbyist IMHO.
I love getting On R2R for each, and every article that this site brings up.
This form is awesome, R2R, and hobbyist help form our decision, as to what, or how we go about go buying, preparing our individual water box.
I'll continue to gain knowledge by reading these insightful dialogues that appear on R2R.
Thanks for allowing me my 2 cents!
There are plenty of gadgets to help us achieve our end goal, some great, some bad, but it's all subjective to each individual hobbyist IMHO.
I love getting On R2R for each, and every article that this site brings up.
This form is awesome, R2R, and hobbyist help form our decision, as to what, or how we go about go buying, preparing our individual water box.
I'll continue to gain knowledge by reading these insightful dialogues that appear on R2R.
Thanks for allowing me my 2 cents!
Surfandturf
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I have the ghost skimmer and I love it! It is a bit pricey...
burtbollinger
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personal opinion, I would never run a tank without one that was over 30 gallons.
start saving for a good one...maybe buy in 6 months or something.
good stuff isnt cheap...nor is this hobby cheap. +-100 dollars here or there for an item is par for the course.
start saving for a good one...maybe buy in 6 months or something.
good stuff isnt cheap...nor is this hobby cheap. +-100 dollars here or there for an item is par for the course.
sfin52
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I didn't have one for a while and all kinds of nastiness happened. I also was using tap water bad advice from a Lfs. I installed one a couple of months later and was amazed by the black nastiness that came from my tank. Still amazed to this day when I clean it. Buy one it's worth its weight in gold in this hobby.
I'd never run a tank without one. Not saying you can't be successful without but a skimmer does a lot for the aquarium with removing organics being one. It doesn't matter how many water changes you do, that won't replace a skimmer. Oxygenation from the skimmer is a plus too. Check SC aquariums, beast of a skimmer and affordable.
