I'm hooked!!

oremug · 01-03-2008, 10:44 PM

Hi, I started with a free starter kit 10g, 1 month later now have a 20g full of live rock, arrow crabs, 2 spotted cleaner shrimp, a few hermit crabs and a yellow tail blue damsel. I have a quick question. Do I really need a protein skimmer? I'm about 2 months into cycle and live rock has lots of purple.
Thanks

Dentoid · 01-03-2008, 10:47 PM

You will need a protein skimmer if you plan on making it a reef tank with corals and sensitive invertebrates. If it's a FO tank then you can get by without it and perform frequent water changes. However, in a tank that small I would recommend a skimmer.

AQTCJAK · 01-03-2008, 11:07 PM

Welcome Aboard

ragvette · 01-03-2008, 11:08 PM

Welcome to RS

Regarding the Protein Skimmer, a protein skimmer isn't really required if you keep on top of things. It does help out overall so it's your call if you need one or not. I have seen many tanks on this site that are stunning that are not running a protein skimmer.

Have fun

Frankie · 01-03-2008, 11:47 PM

Oh boy, I hate the skimmer question. Everyone is an expert when it comes to the skimmer question.

I would highly recomend a skimmer for the beginner. Once you get some experience you will know what is best for you.
Welcome to RS!

BigAl07 · 01-03-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

I would highly recomend a skimmer for the beginner. Once you get some experience you will know what is best for you.
Welcome to RS!

Excellent advice buddy.

Yes a tank CAN be ran without one but that's like running your car without brakes. It CAN be done but it really takes your "fudge factor" out of the equation. Without a skimmer you have to be and STAY on top of your game. You have to be intimately familiar with your tank, how it handles different factors and be able to see problems BEFORE they happen. Why take the risk when you can get one, empty some skimmate every so often and have a larger margin of error. It's almost a no brainer but some people do like "living on the edge".

Good luck and Happy Reefing.

dobejazz · 01-04-2008, 01:14 AM

Welcome to RS !!

I like living on the edge

If you keep up on water changes and monitor your water parameters a skimmer isn't a necessity on a 20g

Frankie · 01-04-2008, 11:47 AM

Grrrrr! LOL!

JFK_Jr · 01-07-2008, 05:45 PM

01-03-2008, 10:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
oremug Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Key West Posts: 1 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm hooked!! Hi, I started with a free starter kit 10g, 1 month later now have a 20g full of live rock, arrow crabs, 2 spotted cleaner shrimp, a few hermit crabs and a yellow tail blue damsel. I have a quick question. Do I really need a protein skimmer? I'm about 2 months into cycle and live rock has lots of purple. Thanks

01-03-2008, 10:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,240 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I'm hooked!! You will need a protein skimmer if you plan on making it a reef tank with corals and sensitive invertebrates. If it's a FO tank then you can get by without it and perform frequent water changes. However, in a tank that small I would recommend a skimmer. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-03-2008, 11:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,031 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I'm hooked!! Welcome Aboard __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

01-03-2008, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
ragvette Ricordea Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Villa, IL Posts: 183 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I'm hooked!! Welcome to RS Regarding the Protein Skimmer, a protein skimmer isn't really required if you keep on top of things. It does help out overall so it's your call if you need one or not. I have seen many tanks on this site that are stunning that are not running a protein skimmer. Have fun __________________ -Rodney My 20gal Nano Chronicle My 65gal Chronicle Reef Store Locator

01-03-2008, 11:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 7,329 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I'm hooked!! Oh boy, I hate the skimmer question. Everyone is an expert when it comes to the skimmer question. I would highly recomend a skimmer for the beginner. Once you get some experience you will know what is best for you. Welcome to RS! __________________ Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

01-04-2008, 01:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,242 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: I'm hooked!! Welcome to RS !! I like living on the edge If you keep up on water changes and monitor your water parameters a skimmer isn't a necessity on a 20g __________________ Kelli

01-04-2008, 11:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 7,329 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I'm hooked!! Grrrrr! LOL! __________________ Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

01-07-2008, 05:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: I'm hooked!! __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

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