Test for protein skimmer benefit

[chrisstankevitz]

Hi,

What test can I perform on my water to see if/how I would benefit from adding a protein skimmer? I believe a skimmer removes "disolved organics" so one obvious test would be "dissolved organics test" which I did not see at my LFS.

I guess another test would be to install the skimmer and check the cup for crud, but that is an expensive test!

Thanks,

Chris

PS: FYI I have a 24 gallon nanocube and perform a 1 gallon water change every two or three days. But please still answer my question above.

 

[Rockitmakr]

Skim........Period! You will regret it later if you don't.
:beer:

 

[BurntOutReefer]

ummmm.....you could try running your tank 6 months and monthly water changes and monitor your levels, and then run it six months with skimmer attached and monthly water changes and monitor levels and then do a comprasion.....
or you could relaize that skimmers do bebefir tanks form all the boks written about then and the countless people with skimmers on this board who will attest to their benefits.......

 

[BurntOutReefer]

sorry about the spelling....was in a hurry

 

[Rockitmakr]

Did not see the fine print, sorry. If you are changing that much water, you will be fine without skimming.....IMO
:beer:

 

[DocG]

Salifert has an organics test kit. I have never used it so I know nothing about it.

You should also consider a nitrate test kit. Nitrates are supposed to be a decent monitor of water quality.

A properly tuned skimmer is going to give you some crud. That doesn't mean that you need it.

More information about your tank (livestock, amount of live rock, current filtration methods) will also help.

 

[Fishbulb2]

For very small tanks it's easy and fine to get away without a skimmer. Just keep up the good water change habits.
FB