Protein skimmer help please?

[calebsmith7]

Hey guys, I’m going to get a fluval five gallon reef tank to hopefully start a lively saltwater aquarium. I’ve recently read that I need a protein skimmer but I don’t know which one to buy. Does anyone have a suggestion for which one would go well with this small tank?

 

[blaxsun]

Honestly, for a 5-gallon tank I wouldn't bother with a protein skimmer. I'd get an InTank media basket as an upgrade, run filter floss in the top, ChemiPure Blue nano packets in the middle and some bio media in the bottom. Just change the filter floss out weekly (at a minimum).

 

[Jekyl]

Hey guys, I’m going to get a fluval five gallon reef tank to hopefully start a lively saltwater aquarium. I’ve recently read that I need a protein skimmer but I don’t know which one to buy. Does anyone have a suggestion for which one would go well with this small tank?

I'm no expert on nano tanks but generally nutrients are managed with water changes and additions to the HoB filter.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

You don’t need a protein skimmer for a 5 gallon. The protein skimmer itself will probably hold more than 5 gallons of water

 

[calebsmith7]

Honestly, for a 5-gallon tank I wouldn't bother with a protein skimmer. I'd get an InTank media basket as an upgrade, run filter floss in the top, ChemiPure Blue nano packets in the middle and some bio media in the bottom. Just change the filter floss out weekly (at a minimum).

So with the intank media basket, does it just hang on the side or something

 

[blaxsun]

So with the intank media basket, does it just hang on the side or something

It replaces the stock filtration (which is basically that black sponge).

 

[OU812Reefing]

Hey guys, I’m going to get a fluval five gallon reef tank to hopefully start a lively saltwater aquarium. I’ve recently read that I need a protein skimmer but I don’t know which one to buy. Does anyone have a suggestion for which one would go well with this small tank?

I had the same tank the skimmer I was going to go with is this one

QQ1 Hang-On External Nano Skimmer - Bubble Magus​

 

[calebsmith7]

It replaces the stock filtration (which is basically that black sponge)

So if I buy that and the things to go inside of it, it will be better filtration and help with what a protein skimmer normally does?

 

[blaxsun]

So if I buy that and the things to go inside of it, it will be better filtration and help with what a protein skimmer normally does?

Yes, the InTank media basket is a far superior filtration upgrade compared to the stock tank. Filter floss is dirt cheap to replace (simply toss every week) and ChemiPure Blue nano packets are good for 1-2 months.

 

[calebsmith7]

Yes, the InTank media basket is a far superior filtration upgrade compared to the stock tank. Filter floss is dirt cheap to replace (simply toss every week) and ChemiPure Blue nano packets are good for 1-2 months.

Alright, I have one last question about this, so if I bought a long roll of it, how much should I put in the filter every week?

 

[Jekyl]

Alright, I have one last question about this, so if I bought a long roll of it, how much should I put in the filter every week?

It's like pillow stuffing. You just rip a piece off that fits

 

[dadnjesse]

This

 

[calebsmith7]

Alright, thank you so much

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

It replaces the stock filtration (which is basically that black sponge).

Dude... I love the big black sponge... But... you have to respect the sponge... give her a good wringing once a week in your water change water to make her feel fresh as a daisy...

 

[blaxsun]

Dude... I love the big black sponge... But... you have to respect the sponge... give her a good wringing once a week in your water change water to make her feel fresh as a daisy...

The sponge is fine, but a proper media basket with filter floss, carbon and bio media is far superior.