I have just set up my first SW tank, and have a few questions about protien skimmers. First, I am mostly interested in keeping live rock and inverts.....do I need a skimmer for this?? Eventually, I would like some crabs, shrimp, and possibly a couple of small fish. I have heard mixed thoughts on this, and would like to hear any educated opinions. Thanks.
Protien skimmer...do I really need it??
- Thread starter FanmanKC
- Start date
Russian123
Member
how do u do the Welcome to Reef Central?
porkbullet
New member
The first question I would ask is how big is your tank? I have run a 10 gallon nano-reef for over a year without a skimmer and the tank is thriving.
In my experience I have found that not over feeding and regular water changes are about all I need to do to keep this tank happy. However, my results might not be an accurate representation of "skimmerless" since it is such a small tank.
Contents:
2 clowns (tank raised ocellaris)
2 shrimp (peppermint and fire)
hermits/snails
yellow cucumber
assorted ricordias
assorted zooanthids
pulsing xenia
kenya tree coral
tons of purple mushrooms
Been going 15 months now with no skimmer and the tank is looking great. But like I said, your results may vary.
In my experience I have found that not over feeding and regular water changes are about all I need to do to keep this tank happy. However, my results might not be an accurate representation of "skimmerless" since it is such a small tank.
Contents:
2 clowns (tank raised ocellaris)
2 shrimp (peppermint and fire)
hermits/snails
yellow cucumber
assorted ricordias
assorted zooanthids
pulsing xenia
kenya tree coral
tons of purple mushrooms
Been going 15 months now with no skimmer and the tank is looking great. But like I said, your results may vary.
Russian123
Member
[Welcome]
Russian123
Member
[welcome]
dchao
New member
I think this is a big factor why your nano tank is thriving. Xenia absorb all the nutrient in the water fast.
Go back to skimmless, here is the rule: if you design the tank in such way that the tank is more than enough to handle all the bio-load without a skimmer. Then, by all mean go skimless. If you are not sure, and new to the hobby, add a skimmer, you won't go wrong.
egdevilboy
In Memoriam
1st and foremost. More lighting is necessary for inverts.
20 w for a 29 gallon will not be suffficiant for them. go with atleast 4+ watts per gallon for many softies. Hard corals will require 5+.
Id recommend goin with the best lighting you can afford to avoid further upgrades.
20 w for a 29 gallon will not be suffficiant for them. go with atleast 4+ watts per gallon for many softies. Hard corals will require 5+.
Id recommend goin with the best lighting you can afford to avoid further upgrades.
xinumaster
reef addict
You use an ecosystem filtration were you won't need to have skimmer.
AllenFord_SC
New member
Might as well join the
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
wagon.
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
wagon.
atticusfinch
New member
I personally havent run a skimmer in months 
but am considering adding one
but am considering adding one
AllenFord_SC
New member
As far as the skimmer goes, hopefully you will catch the bug that most people here have caught and that 29 will look pretty small in about a month. If and when that time comes a skimmer is a must. If you are going to attempt to go skimmer-less, make sure you are getting proper aeration in some other form and surface movement for proper gas exchange. I agree with dchao about the "better safe than sorry" approach. If you are in desperate need of a skimmer I have one from my 55 that was given to me. needs a little cleaning and the venturi is clogged but PM me if you want it. No charge, just shipping.
