Do you need a skimmer?

[cenzo]

Im looking to set up a 3gal do I need a skimmer?

[ross76053]

Whether or not you use a skimmer is entirely up to you. Read all you can about them, and decide for yourself. On this board, we've taken polls - it's about 50/50.

 

If I were you, I'd start with the following aricles:

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/

[appstateguy]

you will need to do frequent water changes, so a skimmer is not needed. there are some pretty funny small diy skimmers in the diy forum!!

[tinyreef]

you see? THIS is why we need dave around!

 

fire keeps the undergrowth at bay allowing the trees to grow and the forest to expand. ??? altho occasionally the larger trees must fall to make way for newer growth. X) oooh, talked myself into a circle.

 

cenzo,

like ross and apps say, it's up to you but if you don't then be prepared to keep an eagle eye on your tank (wc's, carbon, limited dosing, etc.). i like to think of the skimmer as a crutch (that's what someone called it here and i like it). it allows a constant scrubbing of your water. for a small system that's important if not critical imho.

 

search around the forum and other forums for their take on skimmers. altho on others you'll tend to get a traditional reef viewpoint (i'm assuming you don't have reef exp.). good luck!

[cenzo]

Thanks for all your help I would love to see pics of tanks from 3 to 5 gal to see what can be done...

[ross76053]

If you do opt for said skimmer, go with a small one. Sanders makes a really small one called a Piccolo (just bought one for my fuge). They're a little pricy at $40, but supposed to work pretty well for an air pump-driven skimmer. I'm settin' mine up tomorrow.