Protein Skimmer or not?

[lingtime]

I have an old 30 gallon sitting there that the protein skimmer went out on. I'm thinking of starting it up again. Would I really need to run a skimmer in a 30gl? if I ran a bigger bio-wheel?

 

[aquaknight]

I ran my 25gal without a protein skimmer. The key is going to be keeping the bioload light. 2 or 3 fish and no really heavy coral feedings (I don't feed most anyway). I would skip the biowheel and go with a larger amount of LR.
25gal link:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/331874/my-temporary-25-reef-thread-56k-careful

 

[lingtime]

that is a sweet setup. So there is nothing besides a heater and power head in that deal? I unfortunately do not have that kinda light setup for that tank yet. just a standard hood.

 

[aquaknight]

Yea, pretty much just a heater and that powerhead. I also had an eclipse 12gal biowheel filter on there, but biowheels are a nitrate factory for a reef setup. I took out the biowheel, but left the filter pad and just changed that out regularly. The key is doing consistent water changes, 25% per week, and have good amounts of LR for the nitrification cycle.
You could also look into setting up a refugium, either in your sump if you have one, or a HOB fuge.