Is a SKIMMER necessary?

reef rico · 02/13/2008, 01:02 AM

Hey im getting a 200 gallon reef. Is it a advantage to have a skimmer or a disadvantage to have a skimmer. Whats the function of a skimmer. Do corals feed on protien. I need alot help on this subject.

jmart55 · 02/13/2008, 01:12 AM

It's just my opinion and some may disagree but next to good source water and good water flow, a good protein skimmer is one of the most important things for a reef tank. A protein skimmer allows us to keep the density of livestock we want.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.php

The Saltman · 02/13/2008, 01:43 AM

imo, very important, but I have seen some larger tanks that are skimmerless.

snulma1 · 02/13/2008, 08:41 AM

I think if you are going to go skimmerless, then you will need to do more frequent water changes to keep things in check.

Works well on a nano tank, but changing 20 gallons every week will be costly!

db_triggerfish · 02/13/2008, 08:53 AM

i have only been skimming for less than two months, i love to see the waste that the skimmer pulls out of the tank. IMHO yes put a skimmer in your system. Also they are many good skimmers out there but do some research.

luke33 · 02/13/2008, 09:15 AM

You have to look at it this way, what can we do to our tank's to replicate the ocean. Ok, sand, LR takes out amm, trites, turns into trates. A fuge will help with trates as well as a skimmer. The way the ocean rids itself of the trates, organics, doc's is with waves. You know the froth that comes up on the beach with waves, that would be the ocean skimmate. Its one of the key components in the ocean filtration.......so the skimmer is trying to mimic this. Do i think there needed......definately. Unless you want to do large frequent water changes, and that will cost you more than a good skimmer in a short time.

sirreal63 · 02/13/2008, 09:37 AM

Kind of surprised to see someone with 2 years reef experience ask this question. The replies so far are very good and accurate. A skimmer will also help with gas exchange which is very important.

luke33 · 02/13/2008, 09:52 AM

Another great point ^^^Oxidation and gas exchange

reef rico · 02/14/2008, 12:22 AM

I knew you need a skimmer but I was just asking to see if any one goes with out a skimmer in a successful reef. Since im only 16 my dad is paying for the tank and I want have $300 for a while to purchase a good skimmer. Could any one give me some recomendations for good skimmers which are sold in Australian websites which are good but don't cost a fortune. How about a octupus skimmer, they sell alot of those on australian sites.

02/13/2008, 01:02 AM	#1
reef rico Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 276	Is a SKIMMER necessary? Hey im getting a 200 gallon reef. Is it a advantage to have a skimmer or a disadvantage to have a skimmer. Whats the function of a skimmer. Do corals feed on protien. I need alot help on this subject.

02/13/2008, 01:12 AM	#2
jmart55 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illisconsin Posts: 172	It's just my opinion and some may disagree but next to good source water and good water flow, a good protein skimmer is one of the most important things for a reef tank. A protein skimmer allows us to keep the density of livestock we want. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.php __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy." -Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 125reef in progress, a few cichlid tanks

02/13/2008, 08:53 AM	#5
db_triggerfish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,127	i have only been skimming for less than two months, i love to see the waste that the skimmer pulls out of the tank. IMHO yes put a skimmer in your system. Also they are many good skimmers out there but do some research. __________________ FMAS - Florida Marine Aquarium Society Member . Current Tank Info: AGA 75g RR 6 x 54w T5 overdriven (510w) with 2 x Icecap 660, DAS EX-1 Skimmer, OR 2500, Reefkeeper II

02/13/2008, 09:37 AM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Kind of surprised to see someone with 2 years reef experience ask this question. The replies so far are very good and accurate. A skimmer will also help with gas exchange which is very important. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

02/13/2008, 01:43 AM	#3
The Saltman Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 1,642	imo, very important, but I have seen some larger tanks that are skimmerless.

02/13/2008, 08:41 AM	#4
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	I think if you are going to go skimmerless, then you will need to do more frequent water changes to keep things in check. Works well on a nano tank, but changing 20 gallons every week will be costly!

02/13/2008, 09:15 AM	#6
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	You have to look at it this way, what can we do to our tank's to replicate the ocean. Ok, sand, LR takes out amm, trites, turns into trates. A fuge will help with trates as well as a skimmer. The way the ocean rids itself of the trates, organics, doc's is with waves. You know the froth that comes up on the beach with waves, that would be the ocean skimmate. Its one of the key components in the ocean filtration.......so the skimmer is trying to mimic this. Do i think there needed......definately. Unless you want to do large frequent water changes, and that will cost you more than a good skimmer in a short time.

02/13/2008, 09:52 AM	#8
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Another great point ^^^Oxidation and gas exchange

02/14/2008, 12:22 AM	#9
reef rico Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 276	I knew you need a skimmer but I was just asking to see if any one goes with out a skimmer in a successful reef. Since im only 16 my dad is paying for the tank and I want have $300 for a while to purchase a good skimmer. Could any one give me some recomendations for good skimmers which are sold in Australian websites which are good but don't cost a fortune. How about a octupus skimmer, they sell alot of those on australian sites.