Protien Skimmer, DO you really NEED?

[sharkeater]

I have a 20 high nano and i dont see any protien built up yet on the surface but im sure i will or maybee not, because i have a marineland penguin 350 on it, is this to much filtration? I have a Corallife Super Skimmer the really nice acrilic one for up to 65 gallons, is this too large to install on my tank and if so anyone want it?

 

[crf230]

I don't think you have to much filtration. I think the protein skimmer would be great on the tank. I have a 29 gallon aquarium with a wet dry and the same protein skimmer you have. I never had any skim build up before I got the protein skimmer, but about a day after I set it up, it was pulling a lot of junk out of the water. With the protein skimer and the marineland penguin 350 you should good filtration.
Hope this helps!

 

[sharkeater]

how much did you pay for your skimmer, and the only thing thats stopping me from putting it on is that its big and goddy and the bubble defuser will take up alot of room in my tank

 

[xdave]

You're taking the term protein skimmer a little too literally. They skim the protein from the surface of air molecules in the water, not actually the top of the water. When you can actually see a layer on top of the water you are way beyond the point where you needed the skimmer.

 

[sharkeater]

how about when after i feed frozen it will be there for like a half hour then disapeer, and is the skimmer too big for my tank though

 

[hagfish]

There is no such thing as a protein skimmer that is too big for a tank. That is, unless it is visually unappealing or there are some kind of size or budget restrictions. And that particular skimmer is probably best suited for a tank in your size range. Most skimmers advertise tank ratings that are at least 2 times more than they should really be used on in a moderately stocked tank.
And as pointed out, you won't likely see the junk on top of the water (especially if you have sufficient surface agitation). If you already have the skimmer I highly recommend using it. There is no downside other than the room it takes up and the slight electrical cost (which won't be noticable really).
If you really had to choose between mechanical items taking up room in the tank then without a doubt the penguin should go before the protein skimmer (assuming you still have adequete water flow).