When to add protein skimmer

[Fishmas]

I am going to start a tank from scratch and build with dry rock. When does protein skimmer become must have?

As i will be cycling tank for months I want to minimize my power consumption. No point running equipment i do not need until i need itMario.

Will the snails that will control algea durring this time require me to use it? Or is their bioload neligible in this size system?

 

[gone fishin]

IMO with a 130g I would want one after the cycle has completed.

I would not count on snails to control the algae. IMO they will eat some but there main job is to eat excess food and detritus. The skimmer will do a better job of eliminating excess nutrients than snails at controlling algae. good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with Tony, not needed until your cycle is complete and you have algae blooms and have to add your CUC.

 

[CStrickland]

If it's just the power consumption you're worried about you can hook it up but only run it sometimes. My skimmer is overkill for the bioload of my tank so that's what I do. When I turn it on it will pull for a few hours but after a certain point the waters clean and it's not doing anything so I shut it off. It's better to run it constantly but I think it needs enough "dirt" to build a head.