isreal6655
Community Member
What is the need for a protein skimmer?
Just started my tank two days ago
- Thread starter isreal6655
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Nothing right now. Whether you'll ever need one is a matter of opinion and personal preference.
isreal6655
Community Member
What are they good for.
isreal6655
Community Member
Thank you that helps a lot like I said I just started and don't know much.
isreal6655
Community Member
Thanks
gemini9
Newb!
What kind of a tank do you have? How big is it? You should get a skimmer. They supposedly remove wastes from the water before they turn into nitrates, but I'm not sure how well they actually work. All I know is that mine pulls out some brown stinky gunk. Tells us more about your setup and we'll help you choose a good skimmer.
ninjabeaver
Community Member
and remember everything good in this hobby happen slowly, so be patient.
isreal6655
Community Member
I have a 55g reef tank with no sump I have 55 pounds of dry rock and a 2in bed of live sand
gemini9
Newb!
I've got a smaller 30g tank. They do make skimmers that hang on the back of your tank. One of the bad things about not having a sump is all the equipment that clutters the inside of your aquarium, such as the HOB skimmers. I've heard allot of good things about Reef Octopus skimmers. I'm not sure what your budget is, but here is a decent skimmer:
Reef Octopus Classic 1000 Hang-on-the-Back Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
for $189. Hangs on the back of your aquarium. It's pretty similar to the bh100 I use, and it seems to work okay. Just be sure to double check all your seals/gaskets for leaks.
And remember, that a new skimmer has to go through a "break in" period. When you first hook it up, keep your collection cup raised so you don't overflow anything and end up with a mess. It may not start producing bubbles and skimmate (waste) for a good 4+ hours during this break in period. If your tank is still cycling, you won't need it just yet. You can wait until your tank has cycled before you throw your skimmer on there.
What kind of lights do you have?
Reef Octopus Classic 1000 Hang-on-the-Back Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
for $189. Hangs on the back of your aquarium. It's pretty similar to the bh100 I use, and it seems to work okay. Just be sure to double check all your seals/gaskets for leaks.
And remember, that a new skimmer has to go through a "break in" period. When you first hook it up, keep your collection cup raised so you don't overflow anything and end up with a mess. It may not start producing bubbles and skimmate (waste) for a good 4+ hours during this break in period. If your tank is still cycling, you won't need it just yet. You can wait until your tank has cycled before you throw your skimmer on there.
What kind of lights do you have?
isreal6655
Community Member
Well I know it's not cycled because I just started it a few days ago
isreal6655
Community Member
Do you have a sump for your tank
Ever walk on the beach isreal6655? If so, ever see foam on the sand, whipped up by the surf? This is the result of, and skimmers employ a chemical process called, "foam fractionation". Essentially, things one wants to remove are drawn to the surface of the bubbles, the bubbles rise and are "skimmed" off. Some would argue that what's being removed is actually coral food, which may be true, but, suffice to say that protein skimmers strip contaminates from the water, simply, and naturally. Very important piece of equipment. Next to the tank itself, and lighting, a very important piece of equipment in my book. You have only to look at what comes out of a skimmer to know you need one. Just my opinion.
isreal6655
Community Member
Sadly I've never been to the beach I live in TN and well we are land locked but that is very good to know and with what everyone is telling me I think I'm going to get one is there any other really important things I need other than lights I already have those
isreal6655
Community Member
How long have you had your tank
My suggestion is read a lot! I would strongly suggest an RODI water filter if you don't have one, to replace evaporative loss, and, to make new salt water for water changes. You can buy RO water from the local fish stores, but, if you plan on staying in this hobby for any time, the filter will save you money. (Every time you go into a fish store to buy water, you're likely to spend money on other things. LOL) Go slow. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. Move a lot of water - hopefully you have strong circulation. With no sump and no skimmer, you're depending on the rock to host enough bacteria to keep your water clean, so moving water over it is key. Ask lots of questions on this forum. Folks are glad to help, and there's hundreds of years of experience. Go by the consensus, not any one opinion. Best of luck.
isreal6655
Community Member
What does something like that cost
