Protien skimmer...do I really need it??

[supernareg]

i too would like to join the wagon (first time giving this welcome thing a shot)

[welcome]

 

[Paulairduck]

I tried running my forty gallon with no skimmer, lets just say algae problems galore, got the skiimer up and running, no more algae, just a little glass cleaning

 

[PatMayo]

[welcome] gotta try as well.

I learn something new everyday here.

Pat

 

[Mish]

[Welcome]

Had to try it.

 

[MOX]

well i am fairly new to the hobby/drug hehe but i will tell u this i do run a skimmer and once u see the funky smelly greenish brown sludge that it pulls out it will make u glad u added one

correct me if i am wrong but it work sort of like carbon in a fw tank it will reduce smell and clear up the water among removing other crap too

 

[nemofish2217]

[welcome]

 

[Sam_Sushiro]

I am also new to the hobby. Maybe I can piggy back a little here and ask where to find skimmers.

How much are they?

Do they require extensive plumbing and such?

I just filled my tank over the weekend. Check here if you're interested:

My 29G project to date...

 

[mastermind73]

[Welcome]

 

[mastermind73]

guess my welcome didnt work.

 

[Pandora]

Lots of bandwagon jumpers here

As far as skimming goes, this is a good article I'd recommend:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/fm/feature/index.php

It explains the different types of skimmers and even how to build your own. But as far as cost, there is a huge variation, and there are so many different kinds and sizes, not sure if I should cover it in one post. In general, expect to spend over $50, but larger CC skimmers (usually hooked into the sump circulation) cost well over $100.

 

[zimmy1979]

I think adding a skimmer is one of the best and easiest thing in this hobby to do. It requires very little maintenance and it sure does collect alot of crap that smells BAD. It will allow you to also have a greater bio-load I think.

 

[FanmanKC]

Thanks for all of your advice and responses everyone!!! I think I understand the importance of having a skimmer, and will go ahead and add one to my setup very soon.

As far as my lighting goes.......I didn't think it was enough for growing some of the corals, but wasn't sure of what I really needed. I guess it would be a good idea to bulk up my lighting also. Any brands or types of bulbs you all recommend??

I am looking forward to getting everything squared away, and appreciate all of you experienced hobbyists' input. Thanks again!!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

FanmanKC- have you ever felt more welcome in your life?

 

[bertoni]

I run two 29g tanks. One has 2x55 W PC, the other one 150 W DE metal halide. The PC supports soft corals nicely, and the MH seems to be fine for an anemone and some stony corals.

 

[dchao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6533975#post6533975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FanmanKC
Thanks for all of your advice and responses everyone!!! I think I understand the importance of having a skimmer, and will go ahead and add one to my setup very soon.

Once the tank is running, monitor the key water parameters. As you know, an aquarium is all about balancing the different parameters in the water, same as FW, but it is far more critical in SW.

Even lights will have an effect on water. That's another topic. I like the new T-5 lights, very low power, and very bright, the key is in it's parabolic reflector.

You probably realized by now that protein skimmer is not the only way to export wastes, but one of the easiest. Down the road, you can replace the skimmer with the more natural way (macro-algae, DSB, miracle mud....) if you wish.

What's exciting is that every tank is different. And the key is to learning how to balance your water parameters.

I've found this article very useful:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[Norboo]

[welcome]

 

[Mish]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I got it to work! fun