Protien Skimmer Questions????!!

[killa268]

Hey guys I have recently (4 months ago) acquired a 45 reef tank with live sand and live rock. I have a canister filter, a 26 watt florescent light tube, and koralia 4 powerhead in my tank. After 2 months of treatment I put 2 little clownfish in there with 5 nassaruis snails. After 2 more months I can see a buildup of spots of algae on the wall of the tank (i clean them up with paper towel). Now I can see the the rocks changing color (because of the algea). My friend says its normal.

But here it is. Do I need a protien skimmer?

 

[avshockey311]

First off
[welcome]

Second off a skimmer is the most important means of filtration for a reef tank. Do you have plans of changing lights and adding corals in the future?

 

[jkdsr78]

Do you conduct water changes often.

 

[rogergolf66]

simple answer yes you need a skimmer. with out it you will have a build up of waist (fish poop) in the tank. the skimmer will remove waist in the water that is put there by the fish.

what color is the algea green? that is normall to go through some algea blooms with a new tank (less then 6 months old)

by the way a cheep skimmer is just about worthless. buy a good one used off someone on RC. go to the selling forum here great deals that way.

Roger

by the way WELCOME

 

[rogergolf66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13262326#post13262326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by avshockey311
First off
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Second off a skimmer is the most important means of filtration for a reef tank. Do you have plans of changing lights and adding corals in the future?

how do you get it to say welcome like that

Roger

 

[killa268]

omg thanks guys
Yea my friend (very good at this hobby) says that algea is good.

What type of protein skimmer do you guys recommend (brand)?

I change my water every two weeks. 10% 4 gallons.

Yea I do want corals in my tank. My friend gave me some of his soft coral but it died in my tank cause of the low lights (i forgot the name of it).
I have a 36" light bulb in there. What do you guys think I should get for a light bulb to keep soft and hard corals in my tank? (wattage?)

 

[Rae C.]

It's not about which "ONE" light bulb, it's about how many at what color range, which type. You'll get lots of advice on this question.

 

[rogergolf66]

read up o T 5 lighing for softies that is plenty.

euro reef is the best skimmer line JMO

 

[t5Nitro]

Welcome to the forum Killa268 By the way, the coral I gave him was a frag of star polyps. Something I've had a long time and figured we'd give it a try if it works, it works. His lamp is way too dull for any type of coral.

For what it's worth, I've ran my first tank for ~8 months with no skimmer. I did run a canister filter with carbon and sponge filter changed and rinsed monthly though. I know his filtration consists of some hang-on-back filter with just a sponge in it. At the moment he has 2 very small clowns. I really doubt a skimmer is needed for his situation (at this time). As long as the water changes are kept up you should be good until you decide to want more fish. Another plus with soft corals, they help eat the fish poo :lol: Either way, if your dad is actually getting into the hobby more, as others have said, look into T5 lighting. I think you can get a 36" nova extreme (good enough) for fairly low cost. Think in the area of ~$180.00.