protein skimmers

[danw]

what would the least expensive and most efficant skimmer be for a 55g SW setup, or do i even need one? I have 2 sm. dammsils, 1 large lunare wrasse, a sm. huma huma trigger, a sm. half black angle, and a bunch of scarletts, 2 are pretty big,( i plan to get more) 40lbs. LS & 70lbs. LR the only reason i ask is that i'm having some troble with hair alge and was wondering if this would help. i'm running a emprior 400 but i dont know if thats enough.
p.s. the tanks been setup about 6 months

 

[aarone]

the skimmer wont really help much for algae. Algae feeds off of phosphates, and nitrates. The skimmer just removes organic waste I.E left over food particles in the water, and other waste in the water.

 

[bdhough]

Buy some mexican turbos and set them loose. Get 3 or 4....

 

[danw]

them what should i do about the hair alge, my light is on for only 8 hours and i feed once a day. the tank sits in a bay window but the blinds are always closed, can this still be a problem? the salt water "expert ??" were i live seems to think it is the water temp. and not the lighting. my temp is just under 81 F what do you think?

 

[danw]

i have, my trigger and wrasse suck them right out of there shells before they hit the bottem

 

[daniel411]

Are you using city-tap water or rodi water? Could be alot of phosphates in your water feeding the algae.

 

[beaslbob]

I don't think you need a protein skimmer. If they were $19.99 then maybe. But at $100-$200 the money is better spent on refugiums, lighting, larger tank, or even better livestock.

 

[aarone]

bob lets see a pic of your tank.

 

[danw]

i dont know how to post pic can you please tell me?
email me or post reply inthis forum
www.danw@ku.edu

 

[dacia]

To post a picture, click on the browse button beside "attach file." Just look for the picture on your computer and select it. Make sure it is the right size though, or it won't upload. When you post your message, your picture shows up below what you typed.
As far as a protein skimmer goes, I think for a tank that size a CPR Bak Pak 2 or an AquaC Remora would be good. They are offered on ---- every once in while with soem good deals. I got a Bak Pak for my 30 gallon tank about 3 weeks ago for under $150.