Fish Only Skimmer Question

[dannable]

I have been running my 75 Gallon for about 4 months now without a skimmer. I have 75lbs of live rock, 1 oc clown, 1 firefish, 2 pajama cardinals and a cleaner shrimp. The only other inhabitants will be a coral beauty and a yellow tang. So far my Nitrate is staying below 5ppm and last time I tested it was close to zere.

My question is a skimmer really needed in a fish only given that the nitrifying bacteria on my live rock and weekly water changes seem to keep nitrates in check?

 

[Randall_James]

I do not think so, does not hurt but FOWLR is a pretty easy system for the rock to handle

 

[drummereef]

A skimmer isn't going to hurt. It will at least help remove some of the built up proteins in the water and aerate the tank a little.

 

[I am a giraffe]

A skimmer can help you maintain a higher bioload, which allows you to keep more fish. Other than that, it's probably not absolutely essential under your bioload and maintenance program. Couldn't hurt though, and I'd probably get one if I was in your situation if only for the side aeration benefits.

 

[dannable]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to keep the 75 skimmerless for a while and see how it goes. I will probably use my CSS 65 on my 35 Gallon.

 

[Randall_James]

water changes are amazing things

 

[papagimp]

Randall said it, water changes. For a fish only tank, I wouldn't spend the money for a skimmer. The fish are not nearly as sensitive to the water quality as the invertabrates are.

 

[techigirl78]

I would add that a skimmer is usually more helpful in FO and FOWLR tanks when you are dealing with predators - puffers, eels, lionfish, etc. If you look to getting fish like those, I would definitely recommend one.