No Protein Skimmer???

[zoogrl03]

I recently went into a local, very-well respected aquatics store to purchase a protein skimmer for my 72 gal. bow tank. I want to get other advise just to check because more than one person in the store told me not to get one because they are just a hassle. My tank really doesn't have a bad protein problem it just sometimes gets a little thin layer of slime so it is a personal thing that grosses me out! The people at the shop advised me that they had one of the same size and also a 210 gal that have been set up for over 2 years and have never had a protein skimmer. They said as long as water changes are kept up than i should be fine. Does this sound right to you??? The help would be appreciated as i am still learning about the hobby. I have had my tank set up for about 3 months now and taking it slow! Thanks
Lindsay

 

[brillo12pk]

I am a begginer and I was told pretty much the same thing, my 75g has been up for about three months as well. I was told by two lfs not to get one, at least not yet anyway. I am curious on what people might have to say.
Bob

 

[fish2]

you could just get a surface skimmer. there like only 10 bucks

 

[jessed244]

Originally Posted by fish2
http:///forum/post/2522666
you could just get a surface skimmer. there like only 10 bucks
where can you find these? i have never heard of them.

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by zoogrl03
http:///forum/post/2522628
I recently went into a local, very-well respected aquatics store to purchase a protein skimmer for my 72 gal. bow tank. I want to get other advise just to check because more than one person in the store told me not to get one because they are just a hassle. My tank really doesn't have a bad protein problem it just sometimes gets a little thin layer of slime so it is a personal thing that grosses me out! The people at the shop advised me that they had one of the same size and also a 210 gal that have been set up for over 2 years and have never had a protein skimmer. They said as long as water changes are kept up than i should be fine. Does this sound right to you??? The help would be appreciated as i am still learning about the hobby. I have had my tank set up for about 3 months now and taking it slow! Thanks
Lindsay
I can kind of see where they are coming from. skimmers can be a pain but only if you geta cheap one. You can run a reef without one but it will be alot harder.

 

[tjone752000]

I`m no expert on the subject, but no lsf has ever told me that, even when i started the hobby. I`ve been told not to skimp on the skimmer.As you add more things to your tank, your bio-load is going to get heavier and the skimmer will help remove the waste. I run a coralife 125 on my 48 gal.check this site out for some info.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

 

[waterlogged]

Most people on here will say a protein skimmer is your most important part of filtration.

 

[zoogrl03]

Hmmm...It is hard when you have mixed opinions. Thanks for replying to the post.

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by zoogrl03
http:///forum/post/2522718
Hmmm...It is hard when you have mixed opinions. Thanks for replying to the post.
If you dont mind doing water changes once a week and keep the bio load small then you dont NEED one but it will help soo soo much

 

[reefforbrains]

This is just my own thoughts so please do get more input before making your choice.
I would guess around 90% of hobbiests do run a skimmer on any tank that is larger than 50 gallons.
The obvious argument is made through showing someone the skimmate that a decent skimmer can pull from your tanks water.
This argument is bias, not all systems require/benefit from heavy skimming.
Soft corals and light stocked tanks can run just fine without a skimmer as the bioload is easy enough for the tanks natural filtration to complete.
On heavier stocked tanks or hard core reef systems where what is considered pristine water conditions are required a skimmer is a must.
The heavy stock if in a reef is partially made up from the sheer amount of live rock in a tank. The amount of live rock relative to the tanks volume can do wonderous things where filtration is concerned. This again negates the absolute need for a skimmer on a stocked tank.
A skimmer WILL pull gunk from your tanks water column but it also allows for more wiggle room in averting potential disasters such as spikes in the negative toxins from overfeeding, unanticipated death of a tank inhabitant, ect.
A heavily stocked tank (live rock) will insulate the tanks stability to change because of its own ability to process toxins.
The flip side of the coin is when a tank is heavily stocked (even if well balanced) the tank will be more at risk to excessive loss if excess biotoxin is introduced. For example your curious little blennie finds a secret entrance to a powerhead. Or an anenome goes wandering around into one and shreds itself. A problem that would still be serious if skimmer is in use but the skimmer can minimize the window of danger to the entire system through its addittional filtration.
A regular water change routine is always advised for any tank. A good skimmer can eliminate NEED for waterchange due to toxins. Water changes more become to re-stock trace mineral levels and for maint as they are intended.
I have been off the boards for some time but I do remember several folks running successful tank WITHOUT a skimmer, but it is the exception not the majority.
I personally would not run any tank without one, thats just me.
-RFB

 

[zoogrl03]

Thanks A Lot!!! I Appreciated Those Comments!

 

[nordy]

Good advice above. If you do get a skimmer, which I would suggest for any SW tank, once it starts producing the dark and nasty skimmate you will end up being glad that you did. It's amazing what they pull out of even a very clean and clear looking tank!