This may be a crazy question

[Nakie31]

This may be a crazy question, but if I use a skimmer do I still need my HOB filter.

 

[cloak]

No, but it's always nice to have if you ever wanted to run some GAC, GFO, or perhaps mechanical filtration of some sort.

 

[Nakie31]

ok thanks that really help

 

[Ron Reefman]

Consider this, the skimmer and the HOB filter remove different things from the water in your tank. The skimmer does not remove larger particulate matter and the HOB filter does not remove fine materials or proteins. I'd keep both.

 

[davehead86]

Just be careful with the HOB. I have one and love it and what it does for my tank in regards to running carbon etc. However, you should be careful replacing the pads. They can be cleaned in water change water (shake them out) but if you replace the cloth then you loose all of the good bacteria thats in the cloth. So replace only one at a time so you dont crash the tank. You also need to make sure to such all the crap (literally) out of the bottom of the HOB occasionally as this can cause an ammonia spike in the tank.