Why does my lfs tell me I don't need a skimmer?

[old salt]

I have a 29 gal tank, 30lbs of LR, a cleanup crew, and will add a clown, then later on a flame angel... it's an Eclipse hood... Everything I've read says skimmers are pretty much a must... Do I or don't I?????

 

[b_ball12_99]

You don't have to. I don't on my 5 gallon and all is fine with it. It is recemmended though. You will find fiting one on an eclipse hard.

 

[yvetterich]

I have a 55g FO tank and have been uasing a skimmer. BIG difference in water quality and fish activity. Before the skimmer, they would just kinda chill and be a bit lethargic and the water wasn't particularly clear. Now they are all over the place and the water looks great. I would recommend one, but it also depends on your bio load/ feeding habits. You do what is best for you and you tank. If you do get one though, DO NOT get a seaclone. junk, junk,junk.

 

[guppie]

You will always find different thoughts about skimmers. I think they are great really helps the water quality. Good luck

 

[thespook]

I never used a skimmer for several months. One day while at the good old LFS I was cut a good deal on one (a seaclone) and it took me a few days (ok 2 weeks) to get it up and running right. It has been active for about a month now and it pulls out nasty stuff. I also have a RedSea Berlin Skimmer and every one though it was some sort of smoking device. What can I say I have sick friends.

 

[pufferlover]

I was not a fan of skimmers but a few months back bought 3 for some of my tanks. They do do a job as far as water clarity being much better and the film you get sometimes on the top water area is now gone. I have found a couple of good ones at good prices (not seaclones) and they do a job for me, so now I think they rae a good thing to have.

 

[sonny]

You can actually see that the water is clearer after you add a skimmer. They do a really good job. I don't know about installing it in your system, but I'm sure you could find a way. You don't need a very big skimmer for a 29 gallon. If you are concerned about removing good stuff from the water, then you could run it on a timer that would run it for 12 hours a day or something.
It is actually a very natural process. When you go to the beach and see the foam that comes up on shore, that is the ocean skimming nutrients from the water.
Sonny

 

[03]

maybe he wants your fish not to do well so you can buy more!!