Protein skimmer a must?

LanaDelNeighh · Oct 13, 2019

Recently acquired an Aquatop 40g AIO tank. It comes as a package and has a spot for a little protein skimmer. I bought it used with empty tank, pump and stand. Currently cycling it, needing up upgrade some parts and whatnot. My question is, do I need a protein skimmer for it? I don't plan on having fish, maybe a sand-sifting starfish, in addition to a clean up crew. Thanks!!

azzubr · Oct 13, 2019

Having no fish, I don’t see why you would “NEED” a protein skimmer. They simply help export nutrients. There are many others ways to accomplish the same effect.

ccejka · Oct 13, 2019

"NEED" - no...... But if I have fish I would probably get one. I am running an oversized skimmer on my system and haven't looked back.

LanaDelNeighh · Oct 14, 2019

Cool, thanks guys! If I end up adding fish I will look into getting one for sure.

Bouncingsoul39 · Oct 14, 2019

The oxygenation effect of a skimmer shouldn't be ignored. It helps raise PH and give the babies well oxygenated water. You can go without, but it's easier to keep the water clean with one. Though of course, you probably wouldn't add one until the tank is cycled and fish are in.

Reef AquaCult · Oct 14, 2019

It doesn’t sound like you need one in your proposed setup. You do need other nutrient export such as water change or refugium with macro algae

BeejReef · Oct 14, 2019

No great track record here, but I don't run a skimmer. There are a lot of people that do not and have good success.
I'm not philosophically invested... just that my pump died and I hated the constant tuning.

The gunk has to come out though... skim it, filter it, or throw away gobs of chaeto and siphon detritus.

Pntbll687 · Oct 14, 2019

I have an oversized skimmer on my 180, and it pulls all sorts of funk out.

My nano is a 20 long with a bicolor angel and one clown and runs without a skimmer. I will say there is ALOT of detritus that builds up compared to the system that runs with a skimmer. I opted for no skimmer on the nano because it is in my office and I wanted to keep the tank as quiet as possible.

You do not 'need' a skimmer to be successful. @WWC runs a 293g tank without one. You just have to be consistent with water changes, as they will probably be your main source of nutrient export.

ReefHomieJon · Oct 14, 2019

LanaDelNeighh said:
Cool, thanks guys! If I end up adding fish I will look into getting one for sure.

You will lol

LanaDelNeighh · Oct 21, 2019

goodReefer125 said:
You will lol

Well I ended up getting a new tank.. with 2 fish... and a protein skimmer. Lol.

ReefHomieJon · Oct 21, 2019

Lol of course you did. What kind of fish?

Jon Fishman · Oct 21, 2019

My total volume is about 150g maybe, and my skimmer is rated for 400g I believe, and I only have 2 fish. My skimmer pulls out all sorts of stuff still.....

I would get one just so you can over-feed corals..... that’s what I do!