Do I really need a protein skimmer?

[Durbelethwen]

I am setting up a new 30 gallon tank and having been scouring around for the right filtration equipment. I was hoping to get a filter/protein skimmer combo unit but I could only find one and it had a complaint against it for making too much noise. So I have been looking around I have found a some what expensive filter. But I have been thinking, I am planning on having a mountain bubbler in my tank, and with that will a protein skimmer be necessary?
I am planning on putting in live rock and live sand.

 

[Froggy]

I am setting up a new 30 gallon tank and having been scouring around for the right filtration equipment. I was hoping to get a filter/protein skimmer combo unit but I could only find one and it had a complaint against it for making too much noise. So I have been looking around I have found a some what expensive filter. But I have been thinking, I am planning on having a mountain bubbler in my tank, and with that will a protein skimmer be necessary?
I am planning on putting in live rock and live sand.

In my opinion a protein skimmer is invaluable to keeping a healthy tank. It can be done without and many have but they sure make nutrient reduction so much easier. They make quality hang on units that would be great for your sized tank.

What is this filter you are referring to? If you use live rock, sand or no sand, and a protein skimmer, that is all the filtration you will need.

Joe

 

[reeftivo]

yes and no

You could get away with weekly WC's with carbon and GFO but IMO the skimmer is vital. pulls excess bacteria and nutrients, oxygenates, helps stabilizethe pH and in the event a critter dies while you're not around, it will help tremendously in pulling out the decaying matter which may otherwise be disasterous.

I had a nem and seahare over the years decide to take a stroll into my powerheads and without the skimmer I'm sure my systems would have suffered huge losses.

can't beat the peace of mind

I'd say make sure you've got at least a lb per gal of live rock and at least a 3 inch bed, then toss in a tunze 9002 (assuming it's an AIO tank-all in one).

there are some good hang on options too like aquamaxx, octo (a little big), eshopps, deltecMCE300 and on and on.

 

[hamed]

I have to say this is the same question I have been asking for a while now

 

[Durbelethwen]

The filter I'm looking at is a JBJ four in one filter. I was hoping to get the kind that they put in their all in one tanks, but apparently they do not sell them separately.

 

[RotaryGeek]

I don't know why you are looking at another filter. It's not needed. All you need is rock and flow. A skimmer is nice but not required, plenty of people run without them and have beautiful reefs.

 

[xCry0x]

I am planning on getting a skimmer for my 25g nano and am pretty much sold on the tunze 9002. Like that it is small enough to fit in a rear chamber and is internal so if something goes wrong it isnt going to be flooding all the water out the back of my tank.

 

[reeftivo]

the hanging media basket and air stone skimmer?

Can you post a link?

I think I have an old jbj media basket and stone skimmer in my garage. I had a jbj 28 a few years back and never used them. Not sure if they are still in there but I thinks so.

Not sure where you're at but if you ever passed by Chino California I'd give them to you

 

[reeftivo]

I don't know why you are looking at another filter. It's not needed. All you need is rock and flow. A skimmer is nice but not required, plenty of people run without them and have beautiful reefs.

agree!

However, many AIO tanks like the jbj are usually with a lighting hood so a skimmer will only benefit the system by aiding in CO2 release. Even if it's not dialed in correctly and not producing much skimmate, it's still helping the system with added oxygenation.

If I were to go skimmerless with a nano I would opt for a solana, elos or finnex. Not a hooded AIO

 

[reeftivo]

I am planning on getting a skimmer for my 25g nano and am pretty much sold on the tunze 9002. Like that it is small enough to fit in a rear chamber and is internal so if something goes wrong it isnt going to be flooding all the water out the back of my tank.

the tunze is a really good performing little skimmer. Keep in mind that if your nano has a canopy you may need to trim it so the cup won't hit when the lid is raised. Tunze has very good customer service too and Roger on the tunze sponsor forum would help with any issues tha may arise.