quick question

[lwaxman]

for a reef tank with fish and lr and ls do i need a filter or will a protein skimmer work as the filter. right now i have two hob filters, the ones that i have to change the cartriges on. do i even need the filters.

thanks

 

[cpl40475]

3 main filters for a saltwater tank are
1. Live rock
2. live sand
3. protein skimmer.
What size tank are you running?

 

[lwaxman]

29 g tank. 15 lb of lr and 15 lb of ls. about 1 inch of ls

 

[lwaxman]

so if i have the filters already, the hob cartrige filters, do i need a protein skimmer, or should i continue to use the filters for flow and buy a protein skimmer for filtration.

thanks again

 

[lwaxman]

will a protein skimmer really help with inverts though

 

[Avi]

If you get about 45-pounds of live rock and you have an effective protein skimmer, that would be fine. With those, don't bother at all with the filters. The live rock and the skimmer would be vastly more effective than the more traditional filters on a marine tank.

 

[sexylilfreak]

a protein skimmer will make much difference. its best you invest for one. it will prevent you from many more disasters that might occur. for one, a protein skimmer will help you remove ammonia as well. and ammonia is very trouble some as it will turn into nitrate and nitrite. by getting a protein skimmer you wont have to do such frequent water changes as without one, your ph level ammonia and nitrate levels will climb VERY fast.
if you find them expensive, you can always get second hand ones, and im sure you can find cheaper ones at still pretty good quality,
less protein = less amonia= less nitrite= less nitrate.
also it removes some algal cells.
but remember a protein skimmer will also remove some good bacteria. so if its a new tank, leave it to mature WITHOUT a protein skimmer. good luck X