do i really need a skimmer or not?

[biocube386]

hey, i was just asking i have a biocube 29 gal and was wondering do i really need a a protein skimmer? ive herd if you do often water changes u really dont need one but if i dont have to do them as much id rather go that way,im about 1 month into the tank the cycle will be good n done by this week ,and yes i wanana do some coarls but nothing to major,and i would like to know what kind of skimmer is good for this tank.

thank you for all your help who post. =)

[snulma1]

If you don't want to have to do water changes to keep your nitrates in check, then a skimmer is the way to go. As for which kind, opinions on skimmers are like buttholes, everyones got one. Some like Coralife, some like remora's, some like GSM, Deltec.....etc. Heck some even like seaclones. I would read up on the board and make your own decision based on 2 things.

How much you want to spend
and
IF you are going to upgrade anytime soon. If you are gonna get a bigger tank in a year, it may be worth it to get a bigger/better skimmer now.

[herostar]

Short answer: No. Just make sure you keep up w/ water changes.

In the long run it will give you extra peace of mind and help your water quality. I love having a skimmer on my 20H reef...

[Musho3210]

also depends on what corals you want, some corals like slightly "dirty" water, other corals like a pristine extra over skimming with refugium and weekly water changes etc.

[victor_c3]

Originally posted by Musho3210
also depends on what corals you want, some corals like slightly "dirty" water, other corals like a pristine extra over skimming with refugium and weekly water changes etc.

Exactly.

I wouldn't plan on keeping anything like SPS without a skimmer but you'd probably be alright with many soft corals.

I went from a "dirty" tank to a pristine tank and I all but killed off a couple of my softies with the water quality. The one slowly withered away and is now 1/4 of the size it was when I bought it. On the other hand, my montipora couldn't be happier and my toadstool leather and zoas couldn't look healthier.

Me personally, I woulnd't keep a tank without a skimmer. But that is just me...

[Subliminal]

No skimmer, and no worries since I changed to ro/di.

I keep several kinds of macro, though, and my 'big 3' are always 0.

I change 5 gal (17%) once a week. I use a chinese food/soup container to scoop the water from the top (where it's dirtiest) and then scoop back in. Whole process takes maybe 15 minutes a week. 30 if you add in messing with the ro unit, and mixing up the salt.

[biocube386]

hey thanks for all your opions and thoughts ill look around and see what kind of coarls i want to do and see some reports on some skimmers.

thanks!