do I need a protien skimmer

MeganK

New member
this is my first tank and I want to have a reef in the future I currently have a 55 gallon tank, 3 inch live sand bed, 40 lbs of live rock, with a 30 gallon sump and a cascade 1500 canister filter. my question is, do I need to get a protien skimmer?? Thanks for your help!
 
Hi Megan
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A protein skimmer is indeed a valuable tool as it removes nitrogen compounds from the water and lessens the tank's overall loading. For a tank your size a HOB skimmer, like the Backpac or Remora, would be enough,

You may also find this useful in setting up that first tank The New Tank Thread
 
Hi Megan,

I'm new to the hobby (only about 5 months in) and i installed a protein skimmer about 3 months ago. I can now say that I will NEVER go without one again. I have a little 15-gallon tank with 15lbs of LR and only 2 Ocellaris Clowns and my skimmer still manages to get out ALOT of gross stuff. Once you see the nasty gunk that a skimmer cleans out, you'll never run a system without one again. You'll also notice that your water will look MUCH clearer.

Good luck!
 
I would say most definetly. and if you have room to put an in sump skimmer in get an ASM G2. and if you want one that just hangs on get an aquac remora pro.. good luck
 
I have a 54. I have an Aqua C EV 120 on my tank. It fills the whole middle of my sump and pulls about a cupful of greenish black gunk out of my water per week. If you don't remove that stuff, it just builds up and it's not good. Think of it as your tank's sewer: there are some things you just want out of your house.

With a good skimmer and enough live rock [1-2 lbs per gallon of tank] you don't need a filter.
 
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