teags120
New Member
I'm starting up a new saltwater tank and its my first one. I also have 2 freshwater tanks and I wanted to try a salt. I just wasnt sure if a protein skimmer was completely necessary. Its a 40 gallon
Is a protein skimmer necessary?
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gmoney243
2500 Club Member
Not at all. There's other methods to remove the waste such as a algae turf scrubber. Or just some other algae to absorb nutrients. Also u could technically run a tank by doing just water changes. Although this would either cost a lot of water or u couldn't have many fish. But possible definately. I've found books online dating back to 1855 on keeping marine aquariums. Using marine plants to oxygenate the water and couple small fish that ate the plants so no feeding was used either. They created true self sustaining tanks. Barely any maintenance was involved.
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Helifreak
Community Member
I didnot use it on my 20 gallon, my LPS especially my elgances grew very well but Sandy took there lifes. 
Just make sure you have a generator in saltwater. They die a lot faster then freshwater as I am also a newbie from Discus.
Just make sure you have a generator in saltwater. They die a lot faster then freshwater as I am also a newbie from Discus.
mc-cro
Active Member
Its not necessary, but you do need to focus on nutrient removal by other methods. You may also be limited to certain corals, or maybe not.
There is a guy in my local club that keeps SPS, and LPS with no skimmer, and basically no water changes. Its not the ideal situation, and I would not recommend it, but it can certainly be done. If your new to salt water, I think your money is best spent on lights and easy corals. Like softies and LPS. As you gain experience, you will know what you need to get next.
There is a guy in my local club that keeps SPS, and LPS with no skimmer, and basically no water changes. Its not the ideal situation, and I would not recommend it, but it can certainly be done. If your new to salt water, I think your money is best spent on lights and easy corals. Like softies and LPS. As you gain experience, you will know what you need to get next.
Pkunk35
Valuable Member
For beginner at saltwater, yes I would say the skimmer is essential. You don't need it right away but certainly once you stock your tank a skimmer can be very important, just make sure to get a good quality one.
11purewater
Active Member
Since I'm a masochist I run a natural tank:tongue: No filtration eccept carbon and 10% water changes weekly.the trade off is very few fish and 50% of my tank is live rock and deep sand along the back,turbulant(but not fast) water flow is key.And no i would not recommend this method,but It can work with a lot of patience and Anti-stress medication:canada:
Necessary, no. Will it make you life easier and tank more stable, absolutely. I have one system with and one without, I can safely support much more in the tank with the skimmer than the one without.
