Do I really need a SKIMMER?
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sir_dudeguy
Active member
yes a skimmer is needed. i say get a skimmer for anything bigger than 15 or 20...some people even put them on smaller tanks which can only help 
you'll need one imo. dont skimp on it either..dont go for that seaclone brand, or the jebo/oddysea or prizms either...all not very good brands.
and dont get a hang on one...you've got a sump, and in sump ones are usually better
you'll need one imo. dont skimp on it either..dont go for that seaclone brand, or the jebo/oddysea or prizms either...all not very good brands.
and dont get a hang on one...you've got a sump, and in sump ones are usually better
sir_dudeguy
Active member
i have no experience w/any of the in sump skimmers as i've never had a sump before...but i have heard of that one quite a bit...so it must be decent??? i've only got a remora c skimmer and i just got a coralife superskimmer that will be an in sump one as soon as my tank is set up.
To be honest with you they really aren't needed. Some say there are positives and negatives to it. You can do without one if you want. However, it does help maintain water quality as well and help with keeping excess nutrients low. Try to not over skim. If i could afford one I would definately run one but right now I can't even though it's a 20gal. You'd be better of with one but won't be hurt without one. Your choice. Get one rated slightly larger for your tank and insump is the way to go if you have a sump. The canister will only be good for flow and carbon if you don't havea sump. But you do. Good luck with our lovely hobby.
sir_dudeguy
Active member
wait..how is it a negative????
you cant overskimm a tank either.
and for a 20 gal. you dont really need one...like i said above..its easier to get by w/out one on smaller tanks.
larger tanks...imo you need one.
but i really dont see how you can overskimm a tank and have it bad????
you cant overskimm a tank either.
and for a 20 gal. you dont really need one...like i said above..its easier to get by w/out one on smaller tanks.
larger tanks...imo you need one.
but i really dont see how you can overskimm a tank and have it bad????
EdKruzel
Premium Member
Skimmers add oxygen to the water and remove many nutrients both good and bad, so yes you can over skim a tank.
Can you have a tank without a skimmer? Of course...
Many biosystems do better without one because of their need for a higher nutrient count, however the common overstocked reef environment or massive bioload fish only should have a good quality skimmer.
Back to over skimming; when dealing with tanks larger than a Nano and with a moderate to high bioload, it is quite difficult to over skim unless you spend an insane amount of money (50gal tank = skimmer for a 400 gallon).
Ed
Can you have a tank without a skimmer? Of course...
Many biosystems do better without one because of their need for a higher nutrient count, however the common overstocked reef environment or massive bioload fish only should have a good quality skimmer.
Back to over skimming; when dealing with tanks larger than a Nano and with a moderate to high bioload, it is quite difficult to over skim unless you spend an insane amount of money (50gal tank = skimmer for a 400 gallon).
Ed
AustinVines
Premium Member
I have a euro-reef cs-80 and bought it from marine depot for around $200. It skims plenty of nasty stuff from my tank. Mine took no time to dial in, even without the gate valve modification. You can easily get a skimmer for that tank for < $250 and from the look and smell of the stuff that comes out of them I can only infer that they help. I keep fish, tons of gsp, some xenia and some lps and zoas.
