Protein Skimmer?
- Thread starter rowdy
- Start date
rockies
Member
Tradeoffs...
Not a requirement, but I think it certainly helps.
I started my tank 14 months ago with no skimmer. I chose to avoid a skimmer for a lot of reasons (no built in overflow, noise, cost, etc). I knew that this might cause me certain headaches in terms of maintenance and health of my tank.
I've now installed a hang on back Remora from Aqua C and I'm really glad that I have it. It's been in for about 2 weeks and it is pulling out some nasty dirty stuff!
Now I hope that I'll have better conditions for more sensitive creatures and less struggle with cyanobacteria (red slime 'algae').
To be honest I've lost a few fish/snails/blue-legged crabs. Some quickly and some over a longer period. The original fish in my tank from right after the cycle, however, have survived well. They are all hardy, however.
Questions like this can easily invoke an intellectual war over opinions, but like most things in this hobby, your choice is only limited by your budget and willingness to compensate for whatever shortcomings your equipment has. In other words, tradeoffs. In this case, you can live without a skimmer, but you'll probably be more successful in the long run if you have one. Without one you'll need to pay closer attention to your water quality and do more frequent water changes.
That's my $0.02 (FWIW).
Good luck.
Not a requirement, but I think it certainly helps.
I started my tank 14 months ago with no skimmer. I chose to avoid a skimmer for a lot of reasons (no built in overflow, noise, cost, etc). I knew that this might cause me certain headaches in terms of maintenance and health of my tank.
I've now installed a hang on back Remora from Aqua C and I'm really glad that I have it. It's been in for about 2 weeks and it is pulling out some nasty dirty stuff!
Now I hope that I'll have better conditions for more sensitive creatures and less struggle with cyanobacteria (red slime 'algae').
To be honest I've lost a few fish/snails/blue-legged crabs. Some quickly and some over a longer period. The original fish in my tank from right after the cycle, however, have survived well. They are all hardy, however.
Questions like this can easily invoke an intellectual war over opinions, but like most things in this hobby, your choice is only limited by your budget and willingness to compensate for whatever shortcomings your equipment has. In other words, tradeoffs. In this case, you can live without a skimmer, but you'll probably be more successful in the long run if you have one. Without one you'll need to pay closer attention to your water quality and do more frequent water changes.
That's my $0.02 (FWIW).
Good luck.
lion_crazz
Active Member
I'd also say that it was something definitely needed (unless you are doing a small tank (24 gallons or less).