Protein skimmer

[viviana]

should I even bother getting one for my 30 gallon once i get fish?


If so, what brand is best?


best way to do water changes if I dont do a protein skimmer?

 

[Jason mack]

10-20% watercahange weekly mix saltwater or buy from shop heat it too temp of tank takeout 10-20% of water from your tank using a pump or beaker , replace water .. as for skimmer intank skimmer ? Hang on the back skimmer ? Skimmer insump ??

 

[viviana]

hang on back skimmer, and this is going to sound really dumb, but how many gallons would it be to do the water change for my 30 gallon?

I do have a 5 gallon tank, ya thinking i should get a heater for that to heat my water to the temp
? or just take out the fish and wait for the water to be at temp?

 

[cloak]

If you can afford a skimmer it's definitely a great tool to have, whether it's a HOB model or a sump model.

 

[cloak]

These skimmers seem to be pretty popular.

http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-classic-100-hob-protein-skimmer.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...s_Nano_Skimmer-AquaMaxx-UJ1151-FIPSNS-vi.html

 

[Jason mack]

It's a good idea too have a little heater and a small pump for mixing saltwater after you finish mixing you can use the pump too remove and replace your water .. 3 gallons is 10% , I mix my salt in buckets that way

 

[viviana]

oh yeah ok i was right about the percentage haha awesome thank you guys

 

[Erik R]

Ok folks. This thread spawns a question I have had brewing for a while. Viviana asked if a protein skimmer is needed.... I would like to elaborate on that question:

I have been told that if you have a refugium with Miracle Mud and Cheato (snails and such in there also), a protein skimmer is really not necessary.

Thoughts on that?

 

[beaslbob]

I protein skimmer like more "must haves" with today's technology is not absolutely needed.

If you balance out your tank with algae (macros, or an algae turf scrubber) the protein skimmer and lotsa other stuff is simply not needed.

Notice I said the algae. Miracle mud is not needed either.

my .02

 

[Erik R]

I protein skimmer like more "must haves" with today's technology is not absolutely needed.

If you balance out your tank with algae (macros, or an algae turf scrubber) the protein skimmer and lotsa other stuff is simply not needed.

Notice I said the algae. Miracle mud is not needed either.

my .02

I have been learning that about the mud. In my new build (TBD, still planning-thinking-saving-drooling) I was going to get a small sump and simply toss some cheato in there with a light. From what I have seen other do, that seems to do a whole lot of good.

 

[viviana]

Definitely no refugium or sump

 

[viviana]

Definitely no refugium or sump

 

[reeferfoxx]

Skimmers can strip nutrients but they can also regulate nutrients if feeding becomes trouble some. Plus it helps with O2. I think I will always run a skimmer, though I've had success without one.

 

[sbash]

I do not think we have quantified what is in the tank exactly to merit the use of a skimmer. So... Before I go on some rant... What are you keeping in the tank exactly?

 

[schooncw]

I would never dream of having a salt water tank without a skimmer, no matter the size and stocking levels. One of my tanks is a closed loop system, with an Aquamaxx HOB. The thing is a beast! Pics of my 60 enclosed.