Protein Skimmer A Necessity?

[Zero.30]

Howdy,

I have a 36g currently set up with two power heads, filter with just carbon, a canister filter and eventually a ATO.

I plan on keeping a few clowns, maybe a blenny and a few shrimp.
Corals later down the road.

Will a protein skimmer be a must or will that be needed for a larger heavier stocked tanks?

Thanks!

 

[Chrisv.]

I have two tanks that I run skimmerless with no issues at all. I suggest an air stone somewhere in the system, as has exchange really can become an issue with no skimmer.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

A skimmer later on should be fine.

 

[Jeffcb]

Howdy,

I have a 36g currently set up with two power heads, filter with just carbon, a canister filter and eventually a ATO.

I plan on keeping a few clowns, maybe a blenny and a few shrimp.
Corals later down the road.

Will a protein skimmer be a must or will that be needed for a larger heavier stocked tanks?

Thanks!

A skimmer just exports nutrients and organics. Water changes can do the same thing.

 

[DavidinGA]

No skimmer needed

 

[AydenLincoln]

A skimmer is absolutely not necessary in a nano but it certainly helps especially when keeping corals and you can find some inexpensive ones on Amazon for nano tanks.

 

[PatW]

There are plenty of good skimmers for big systems. But nano tanks, making a good skimmer is a bit trickier. It can be done.

A skimmer exists for nutrient removal. On a big system, the brute force huge water change tends to be impractical to the point that it will never ever be done. On a small system, you can often water change your way out of a problem.