What is a protein skimmer?

[bambooshark]

Should I add one to my 30g?

 

[mjw011689]

I’ll refer you to the hundreds of posts about skimmers on this site to decide if it’s right for you (search tab, stickies, etc). But basically it’s going to remove dissolved organic waste from the water. Whether you should get one or not is all dependent on your goals with the tank. Check out the sticky threads on the new to the hobby section, as well as equipment section. You’ll get better answers from reading that.

 

[agREEFs]

Should I add one to my 30g?

You should. A great piece of equipment that you need with coral. It is removes unwanted stuff from your tank. That a filter can’t.

 

[mjw011689]

You’re gonna get a hundred answers on this one. Which is why there is no way for anyone to answer with the lack of info given. All we know is 30 gallons, which id argue is pointless to run a skimmer on…. Unless you have goals that require it.

 

[dedragon]

Not a necessary piece of equipment at all, especially in a 30 gallon aquarium. You could add one which will help with pH and o2 exchange as well as removing some dissolved organics, but I would recommend you only do that if you have a sump as they are a bit of an eyesore and more finicky if they are hang on back (hob)

 

[bambooshark]

You should. A great piece of equipment that you need with coral. It is removes unwanted stuff from your tank. That a filter can’t.

Thanks. I am planning to add some mushroom coral and some others.

 

[mjw011689]

Thanks. I am planning to add some mushroom coral and some others.

There would be just about zero need for a skimmer if your goal is to grow mushrooms. In fact, they would be one of the corals (along with other softies) that would probably benefit more from NOT having a skimmer.

 

[vlangel]

There would be just about zero need for a skimmer if your goal is to grow mushrooms. In fact, they would be one of the corals (along with other softies) that would probably benefit more from NOT having a skimmer.

I agree with the above post. A lot of softie coral and even some LPS like higher nutrients.

 

[bambooshark]

There would be just about zero need for a skimmer if your goal is to grow mushrooms. In fact, they would be one of the corals (along with other softies) that would probably benefit more from NOT having a skimmer.

I wasn’t exactly planning to put mushrooms, just some hard and maybe a few softies

 

[mjw011689]

I suggest doing a lot of research on here about keeping mixed reefs, especially in that small of a tank. I’m not saying it can’t be done, because it definitely can, but understand that softies and hard corals have different requirements, and some of those don’t fall within a good range for the other. Then you have the fact that some don’t like to be placed next to each other and can become finicky because or that. That is why I say figure out your goal first, before determining if a skimmer is needed.

Even for a mixed reef, I could still argue that a skimmer is not needed, and may not be the best place to put your money.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Should I add one to my 30g?

They collect and remove inorganic and organic compounds in the system and in turn removes these organic pollutants from your tank.

 

[bambooshark]

Thanks for the help

 

[bambooshark]

I don’t think I’ll be adding one, the corals I decided were
Zoanthids
Green star
Hammer
And candy cane

 

[Auquanut]

It really depends on the bioload of the tank, your water change schedule, and how much you feed. I think a lot of folks are telling you no because a fairly generous water change schedule is easy in a tank that size and it is assumed that you are doing it and that it is doing the job.

A skimmer does a good job of removing a certain amount of dissolved solids from the water column before they result in higher nitrates and phosphates (especially if you aren't diligent with your water changes). A skimmer also adds a significant amount of gas exchange to the tank. In my opinion, you can never have too much gas exchange.

BUT, If your parameters are good (keep an eye on PH), you have a regular water change schedule, and you feel comfortable with the health of the tank, a skimmer is just a tool that you may or may not want to consider later.

We all learn and adapt as we go.

 

[Rugops]

Personally I run a skimmer on my 29 gallon (granted I have a 10 gallon sump). I think it is essential. I have only done a single water change since I started and all I do is add water every other day.

You don't HAVE TO use one. It is preference really. Whenever I do a water change, the parameters get out of whack especially Mg. It goes down really low and I like it really high (1500).

 

[vlangel]

I don’t think I’ll be adding one, the corals I decided were
Zoanthids
Green star
Hammer
And candy cane

This is my tank without a protein skimmer. I have green star, hammer, frogspawn, candy cane, palys, leathers, gorgs, BTA, bird's-nest and even a lepto. My tank does have macroalgae for nutrient uptake. The macros take up dissolved organics the same as a skimmer and I like the looks of them.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d use a skimmer in any reef tank even if all it did was aerate the water, unless there was a situation where it might be logistically hard, such as a sumpless system in a living room.

 

[Troylee]

I’d use a skimmer in any reef tank even if all it did was aerate the water, unless there was a situation where it might be logistically hard, such as a sumpless system in a living room.

Agreed! The new trend I’m seeing thou are these roller mats and everyone is ditching the skimmer because it doesn’t work any more lol… which is fine I guess but I like to keep my o2 levels up..

 

[bambooshark]

This is my tank without a protein skimmer. I have green star, hammer, frogspawn, candy cane, palys, leathers, gorgs, BTA, bird's-nest and even a lepto. My tank does have macroalgae for nutrient uptake. The macros take up dissolved organics the same as a skimmer and I like the looks of them.

Thanks
I think I’ll go without one

 

[bambooshark]

This is my tank without a protein skimmer. I have green star, hammer, frogspawn, candy cane, palys, leathers, gorgs, BTA, bird's-nest and even a lepto. My tank does have macroalgae for nutrient uptake. The macros take up dissolved organics the same as a skimmer and I like the looks of them.

What stony corals are in there?