Should I get a Protien Skimmer?

[A Toadstool Leather]

I was wondering if a protein skimmer would be worth the investment given my stocking levels. I have one bicolor dottyback and sone corals that I like to feed biweekly. Given my bioload should I get a skimmer and which one would be good for a 30 gallon tank?

 

[tdileo]

I would suggest a skimmer but they aren't necessary. I assume your tank is mostly softies if you don't have a skimmer. You could get a cheap skimmer like one of the Coralife ones and they are not amazing but better than nothing!
As long as you don't have any picky SPS like acropora you should be good with a cheapo skimmer. Since you have a 30G I suggest the 65G Coralife Super Skimmer, the price is barely anything[emoji4]

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

I would suggest a skimmer but they aren't necessary. I assume your tank is mostly softies if you don't have a skimmer. You could get a cheap skimmer like one of the Coralife ones and they are not amazing but better than nothing!
As long as you don't have any picky SPS like acropora you should be good with a cheapo skimmer. Since you have a 30G I suggest the 65G Coralife Super Skimmer, the price is barely anything[emoji4]

I have a few lps and zoas. Would a skimmer even work given the low bioload?

 

[tdileo]

I have a few lps and zoas. Would a skimmer even work given the low bioload?

It would work, definitely. You have to remember that corals and inverts also produce waste. I bet eventually you will get one or two more fish as well. I had just one fish for the longest time and got really bored so I just got some clowns last week and I'm really happy I did!

 

[Reefishness]

I too would recommend a skimmer as it does so much for your tank. If your able to submerge and want a great compact skimmer I would recommend Hydor's Slim Skim, this thing skims awesome. It has a very small footprint too; 2.75"x3".

I've had mine about 4 years now and love it. Otherwise, Coralife's Super 65g will hang on the back and may be a fine choice too.

 

[JaimeAdams]

I have had much better success using a skimmer than not using a skimmer. I would not suggest a coralife skimmer, there are much better options for a hang on if that is what you need.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

I have had much better success using a skimmer than not using a skimmer. I would not suggest a coralife skimmer, there are much better options for a hang on if that is what you need.

Im using a jbj 30 gallon, what is a good skimmer that would fit?

 

[Karie]

Yes get a skimmer. No question.

As to which one? That's personal based on space, money, etc.

I have had 3 SKIMZ MONZTERs and I really like them. They work well for me. Super quiet and DC motor and always are getting waste out. The smallest of those I have had is the SN123 Mini but it still may be too big for you. I have also had 2 hang on the back skimmers (HOB). One was a Reef Octopus called Classic 2000. I hated it. It was sooooo loud and hard to clean and would spit salt out. I am so glad the motor quit and I had to replace it. The other HOB is a super mini one I use for a quarantine/hospital tank if I need one. It was a long thin black box made by Tunze. I can't remember the model but it worked well from what I recall. It doesn't stay up all the time, only when necessary so right now I can't comment on its noise. But I don't remember it being loud at all.

But whatever you do, get a skimmer. I have never heard anyone regret having a skimmer.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Yes get a skimmer. No question.

As to which one? That's personal based on space, money, etc.

I have had 3 SKIMZ MONZTERs and I really like them. They work well for me. Super quiet and DC motor and always are getting waste out. The smallest of those I have had is the SN123 Mini but it still may be too big for you. I have also had 2 hang on the back skimmers (HOB). One was a Reef Octopus called Classic 2000. I hated it. It was sooooo loud and hard to clean and would spit salt out. I am so glad the motor quit and I had to replace it. The other HOB is a super mini one I use for a quarantine/hospital tank if I need one. It was a long thin black box made by Tunze. I can't remember the model but it worked well from what I recall. It doesn't stay up all the time, only when necessary so right now I can't comment on its noise. But I don't remember it being loud at all.

But whatever you do, get a skimmer. I have never heard anyone regret having a skimmer.

But what exactly do skimmers do that benefits the tank?

 

[Karie]

Well, I am not smart enough to explain much but you should see the nasty dirty gunk that it pulls from the water. Nasty smelly stuff. I know that it helps add oxygen to your tank because to work, it sucks water in thru a bottom opening (Im talking about my Skimz now) up into the cylinder. Then the motor and bubble plate inside creates lots of foam which rises to the top of the cylinder. When the foam is rising it carries with it little unseen bits of 'protein' that are not dissolvable in the water. This ends up as black or brown goo in the collection cup at the top of the cylinder to be emptied by you. Corals create poo and goo too although not as much as fish maybe along with the coral foods that are so fine they don't get caught in your sump sock or floss. All this creates a dirty tank and the skimmer is just one more step in maintaining cleaner water for a healthier reef. In the ocean, there is so much water flow in and around that there is not an issue. But in a closed environment like an aquarium, its like swimming in toilet water. Nasty.

So, it may do so much more than that but I only can verify that I see that nasty gross stuff and I want it out so thats a plus and making sure your tank is well oxygenated is a huge plus. Now someone else will have to give you a more scientific answer.

 

[tdileo]

Simply put it keeps your tank cleaner. You will have less nitrates and phosphates and therefore your corals and even to some extent fish will be much happier. You will also have less algae issues. There is really no reason to not run a skimmer unless you don't have room for it.

 

[Reefishness]

But what exactly do skimmers do that benefits the tank?

A skimmer on your small tank isn't necessary. You can easily maintain good water hygiene through weekly water changes. A 10-20% weekly water change is easier on a 30g than say a 225g.

For example, currently I perform a 1/2g change each day on my RSM 34g during the middle of the day. I do run a skimmer. I just prefer the added assurance removing DOCs, it's only my preference as I'm running bio pellets in my system as well. I also plan on growing SPS.

An efficient skimmer will help pull DOC's out of the water preventing them from becoming a part of the tank long term. That's what a skimmer does. There's secondary benefits they provide too like oxygenating and removing carbon fed bacteria who've been munching on phosphates and nitrates in the water; they get removed during the skim process carrying the DOC out of your water along with them.

If you have SPS you might require one to keep the water cleaner than changes can on a continual basis. However, softies tolerate dirtier water than SPS so likely not needed. If you have heavy bio load, then you might consider one more seriously to assist you to mitigate PO4 & NO3. If you have a lighter bio load then you likely don't need it.

As for your JBJ 30, if you have a 3.25" wide filter wall behind your display, then Hydor's Slim Skim will fit perfectly in the back the Hydor is 3.2x3.2x12 inches.

So, as you compare, sounds like you're doing them same thing with water changes and you're system is doing well If you ever begin to fall back in your husbandry than you might benefit having one, but right now, it doesn't sound necessary.

The defining point to your question I think boils down to water changes vs skimming

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

A skimmer on your small tank isn't necessary. You can easily maintain good water hygiene through weekly water changes. A 10-20% weekly water change is easier on a 30g than say a 225g.

For example, currently I perform a 1/2g change each day on my RSM 34g during the middle of the day. I do run a skimmer. I just prefer the added assurance removing DOCs, it's only my preference as I'm running bio pellets in my system as well. I also plan on growing SPS.

An efficient skimmer will help pull DOC's out of the water preventing them from becoming a part of the tank long term. That's what a skimmer does. There's secondary benefits they provide too like oxygenating and removing carbon fed bacteria who've been munching on phosphates and nitrates in the water; they get removed during the skim process carrying the DOC out of your water along with them.

If you have SPS you might require one to keep the water cleaner than changes can on a continual basis. However, softies tolerate dirtier water than SPS so likely not needed. If you have heavy bio load, then you might consider one more seriously to assist you to mitigate PO4 & NO3. If you have a lighter bio load then you likely don't need it.

As for your JBJ 30, if you have a 3.25" wide filter wall behind your display, then Hydor's Slim Skim will fit perfectly in the back the Hydor is 3.2x3.2x12 inches.

So, as you compare, sounds like you're doing them same thing with water changes and you're system is doing well If you ever begin to fall back in your husbandry than you might benefit having one, but right now, it doesn't sound necessary.

The defining point to your question I think boils down to water changes vs skimming

Thanks for the reply. I usually do a 5 gallon wc per week. As said before I have mostly softies and some lps.