How Important are Protein SKimmers?

[billybatz9]

Hey guys,

 

How important are protein skimmers? I have one for my biocube (aquatic life 115, still brand new), but am thinking about selling it.

Should I keep it and use it or sell it?

 

Like seriously. How important are protein skimmers on biocubes and other nano reef tanks?

[charnelhouse]

This isn't a blanket question so there isn't a blanket answer. There are a ton of variables involved. Probably the most important being bioload in the tank and skimmer type/quality/capability. What you are trying to achieve with your tank is also important. For a mixed reef nano with fish and SPS they are probably pretty important.

 

For your particular situation, do YOU think you need a skimmer? can you maintain water quality levels without one?

[spinycheek]

I consider them standard on any of my tanks, I like that they can pull out all the crap when something dies, thus saving your tank.

[seabass]

They are helpful (especially if your livestock requires pristine water conditions); however, they usually aren't required for a nano reef. Often you can achieve similar results with sufficient water changes and activated carbon (and/or other chemical media). For a BioCube, I'd recommend using an inTank media basket for your floss and chemical media.

[Markburns43]

I got a fat finger so I run a skimmer. It helps a lot. I'm using the same skimmer let it break in and use it. It's a cheap but effective skimmer normally will be a wet skim unless you want to look up the quick DIY upgrade. You bought it might as well use it unless your really pinching pennies for something. I'm running phos guard and carbon and do a lot of water changes it definitely helps pull crap out that other wise would be microscopically still floating around until next water change. Definitely helps with a younger tank going through algae phases. I am keeping sps but it isn't a must to have.

[reefernanoman]

Hey guys,

 

How important are protein skimmers? I have one for my biocube (aquatic life 115, still brand new), but am thinking about selling it.

 

Should I keep it and use it or sell it?

 

Like seriously. How important are protein skimmers on biocubes and other nano reef tanks?

Here's an example of how skimmers help out: I went on vacation for two weeks. I have two tanks a 28G and a 10G. The 10G has a skimmer and the 28G doesn't. They both run really well, but when I came back, the skimerless tank had 80% more GHA and looked way worse than my 10G. The only difference between these two is a skimmer. Since I wasn't home to TLC my tanks, a skimmer can help you out while you are gone. Before this happened, I also thought it was a waste of $, but think otherwise now. I might just run a skimmer on the 28G only when I'm on vacation, because I have never heard of a complete silent HOB skimmer to be honest. They all seem to sound like MAC trucks! So there you go. My current skimmer for my 10G fusion is a desktop ghost skimmer.

[Fishstiks]

I think a skimmer is a useful tool to have, but you can run a tank without one. It all just depends on your stocking and husbandry. I run a skimmer on my 30 gallon and would not run the tank without it. I am an overfeeder. I know this, but with my maintenance, water changes and skimmer, I am comfortable with my fat fish :-)

[billybatz9]

I got a fat finger so I run a skimmer. It helps a lot. I'm using the same skimmer let it break in and use it. It's a cheap but effective skimmer normally will be a wet skim unless you want to look up the quick DIY upgrade. You bought it might as well use it unless your really pinching pennies for something. I'm running phos guard and carbon and do a lot of water changes it definitely helps pull crap out that other wise would be microscopically still floating around until next water change. Definitely helps with a younger tank going through algae phases. I am keeping sps but it isn't a must to have.

Are you running it on a biocube

[BluCrab]

I've run a Bio cube 29 gallon now going on 3 years without a skimmer. The only thing besides doing a 10% water change every two weeks that I do is change out the Chemipure elite out every two - three months.

 

Stocking wise I have over 25 lbs of live rock, typical inverts , 3 fish .. and plenty of zoa's / mushrooms.

[piano15]

I think it depends on the system, size, bioload, maintenance, etc.

 

I ran one in my 55g and it was a pristine system once I started using my remora. Prior to that I had scum on my surface and higher nutrient levels. I did also have a larger bioload.

 

I don't run one on my 15g or 10g. I feel on small systems water changes should be enough if you are good with your maintenance.

 

some research shows that on 20g or under running a skimmer can cause too much removal of trace elements.

 

I think in this hobby there are many ways to be successful, not all equipment is necessary but rather makes life easier and a wallet emptier.

[Steensj2004]

Having one is always better than not IMHO. You can never have water quality that is TOO good. Extra filtration is always great, can help save your butt of you overfeed, something dies, etc. Always a good thing to beef up filtration, which is a top priority, just my .02

[lobster876]

you could send it my way

[Markburns43]

To op .. No in an ac70 on a standard 10 gallon. But out of the majority of the nano skimmers that aren't hang on back I really like this one a lot. Been running it now for over 3 months.

[plainrt]

I ran a breeder setup with no skimmer. The setup worked amazing. It didn't have ton of sps though. My current setup is a lot alike but sumped with big skimmer. I love the skimmer setup more. I get away with less wc and my sps does much better. Water clarity is a bit better also IMO. Both can be done but I'll take skimmer any day on setups over 25 gal or so.

[charnelhouse]

I ran a breeder setup with no skimmer. The setup worked amazing. It didn't have ton of sps though. My current setup is a lot alike but dumped with big skimmer. I love the skimmer setup more. I get away with less wc and my sps dies much better. Water clarity is slit better also IMO. Both can be done but I'll take skimmer any day on setups over 25 gal or so.

 

QFT DYAC ROFLCOPTR

 

Glad your SPS dies better with the skimmer. It sucks when they die bad.... :D

[plainrt]

QFT DYAC ROFLCOPTR

 

Glad your SPS dies better with the skimmer. It sucks when they die bad.... :D

 

Lmao too funny. Damn phone and dumb operator

[Hammerstone]

Lmao too funny. Damn phone and dumb operator

i noticed that too and laughed but I didn't say anything lol

[ajmckay]

I run an upsized skimmer and the pump broke a few weeks ago. I'm missing it now.

[Gooburz]

They all seem to sound like MAC trucks! So there you go. My current skimmer for my 10G fusion is a desktop ghost skimmer.

 

Not true at all, my ESHOPPS PSK-150 is dead silent, dining room table is right next to the tank and I don't hear the skimmer running. Only time I hear it is when I go next to the tank and can hear the hum of the motor. If your skimmer sounds like a "MAC truck" there is something you are doing wrong when operating it.

 

There is no such thing as a silent piece of reef equipment when it comes to pumps/motors, they all make a little noise but shouldn't be anything over a slight hum.

[reefernanoman]

 

Not true at all, my ESHOPPS PSK-150 is dead silent, dining room table is right next to the tank and I don't hear the skimmer running. Only time I hear it is when I go next to the tank and can hear the hum of the motor. If your skimmer sounds like a "MAC truck" there is something you are doing wrong when operating it.

 

There is no such thing as a silent piece of reef equipment when it comes to pumps/motors, they all make a little noise but shouldn't be anything over a slight hum.

Yeah, I might have used a blanket statement I guess. I have had experience with only two HOB skimmers: AuquaC Remora nano and IM desktop ghost skimmer. They were both pretty loud.

[Gooburz]

Yeah, I might have used a blanket statement I guess. I have had experience with only two HOB skimmers: AuquaC Remora nano and IM desktop ghost skimmer. They were both pretty loud.

 

I had the Aquaticlife 115 internal skimmer and it was a great little skimmer and dead silent. The ESHOPPS HOB skimmers I love and stand by them, pulls out really great skim and is dead silent. Might be overkill but when I start up my 7.5 gallon Deep Blue cube again I'm putting that ESHOPPS PSK-150 on it, will add water volume and skim like a beast for that little tank.

[charnelhouse]

i noticed that too and laughed but I didn't say anything lol

 

I did, because #nofilter

[Anden]

I have 8 tanks and only one runs a skimmer and that is only cus i feed alot in that tank.

I normaly say if you do waterchange then a skimmer i not needed but if you dont do Weekly waterchange (10-25%) then you need a skimmer.

But if you have a skimmer and feed alot thet you still need to do waterchange.

So i do waterchange and my wife dont have to listen to the skimmer.

[seabass]

I normaly say if you do waterchange then a skimmer i not needed but if you dont do Weekly waterchange (10-25%) then you need a skimmer.

So, according to that, water changes aren't needed if you use a protein skimmer and feed lightly? Hmm... just thinking about all the money I've wasted on salt over the years. #WaterChangesAreForChumps

[charnelhouse]

So, according to that, water changes aren't needed if you use a protein skimmer and feed lightly? Hmm... just thinking about all the money I've wasted on salt over the years. #WaterChangesAreForChumps

 

But good on ya for translating that seabass. My head is still spinning #homminahomminaeyeyey