Protein Skimmer Only??

[EBAMAFANZ]

New to the hobby, I just started a 30 gal tank. I have a protein skimmer rated for up to 65 gal, is this all I need or do I also need an additional filter?

[skunkmere]

thats it, with live rock and sand.

[ihopss]

All I have is a skimmer,rock,sand.

[cmejaf30]

i'm not even using a skimmer. i've heard pros and cons to not using a skimmer. i'm going to go without right now and see how water quality holds up with the system I have. i'm under the impression that a skimmer is not absolutely necessary.

[kydsexy]

i hear that skimmers help, but i visited my friends house (setup his tank) and he only drains the cup once in a month. he has like 10 mL of green sludge (i dont know why/how--didn't install the skimmer) and empties it the end of the month. i don't think its anything that constant change of carbon won't take care of.

he has a niger, clown, picasso trigger. and a volitan lion.

[RickySan]

Originally posted by kydsexy
i hear that skimmers help, but i visited my friends house (setup his tank) and he only drains the cup once in a month. he has like 10 mL of green sludge (i dont know why/how--didn't install the skimmer) and empties it the end of the month. i don't think its anything that constant change of carbon won't take care of.

he has a niger, clown, picasso trigger. and a volitan lion.

If you only have to empty the skimmer once a month...your skimmer probably is not working properly...However to all those that choose not to use a skimmer, i dont think you will notice a difference but just imagine dumping that 10ml of green sludge in your tank....
Most importantly is having LR and LS...I have heard that adding a FW helps too, but thats up to you.

[rigleautomotive]

you do have a heater,right,dumb question but i had to ask.

[uscharalph]

Do you have a sump?

[sruiz]

uscharalph, he said he only has a skimmer.
I agree with RickySan, if nothing is coming out of your friends skimmer it most be a peace of s@#$. I actually went 6 months without a skimmer when I first started, and everything seemed to be fine. But after using a skimmer and looking at the dark green tea that comes out, I was glad to have one.

[sruiz]

sorry to go off the subject EBAMAFANZ, I ran a 55 gallon tak with a hang on filter, i think it was a pengiun. I threw away the bio wheels and pads, i only had live rock in the hang on container, a protein skimmer and over 80 pounds liver rock. Just make sure you have good water circulation.

[bertoni]

Some people get along nicely without skimmers, but they can be a great safety net, for cleaning organics and for oxygenation.

[derge]

how much noise does a protine skimmer make?

[cmejaf30]

Good question...do skimmers make a lot of noise? I'd like to run one in-line with my sump but am running out of space and the tank's in the living room. The g/f is going to get angry if the system gets too loud.

[bertoni]

Protein skimmers vary a lot in the noise level. Some are very noisy, like the downdraft skimmers. Others are quieter. None are silent.

[sruiz]

i think its goes down to how big the skimmer is and how big the pump is. Like bertoni says none are silent.
What type of skimmer do you have EBAMAFANZ?

[JamesJR]

I like to use filter socks myself and activated carbon, but yes a skimmer
can be the sole filtration for your tank.