Is a protein skimmer needed on a 25 gallon tank?

[saltydog25]

I am new on the saltwater scene and I am wondering, do you need a protein skimmer on a 25 gallon tank? The guy at the aquarium store keeps telling me no, but this is the same man that killed off half my tank when he installed an unclean chiller and used piping that is not suitable for a saltwater tank. So I dont exactly trust him.

 

[coachklm]

a skimmer is needed whenever there is a bioload that creates waste. so yes you need a skkimmer.

 

[cgrant]

I like posting this pic so people can see all the crap that skimmers take out.
I clean mine and within a couple of days it looks like this again, without a skimmer all the crud stays in your tank!

 

[bawood]

Technically you don't need a skimmer if you run a low bioload and do regular medium sized water changes. I ran a 25 gallon for over a year with no skimming. I had no corals though and only one fish and small mobile inverts(shrimp, snails, crabs). I did lots of water changes though. Now I have a aqua c remora and I'm definately getting waste out of the water, but now it's slowing down because I have such a small bioload. However it has allowed me the option to add more fish, which will put the skimmer to more use.
In general I'd only recommend not using a skimmer for small bioloads and with heavy maintenance.

 

[pyro]

It's optional... but will make your life much easier on the maintenence end.

 

[cgrant]

Well, It might not be a necessity but who wants to do water changes like every week? Not me!
IMO...Well worth the money!

 

[saltydog25]

I went ahead and bought a skimmer. My bioload is pretty small right now, but that will change with time. Besides constant water changes are a pain.

 

[ams153]

you made a good choice it makes things soooo much easier! i have a large tank with a big bioload and my skimmer cup fills in about a week and a half if i let it!