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12-12-2006, 10:26 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Feather Duster
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Batavia New York Age: 23
Posts: 214
Karma: 179
   |  Do I need a Protein Skimmer
Hello, I currently have a 55gallon fish tank that will be going coral/invert plus fish. It has a Megaflow Model 2 Sump about 10gallons or so on it. I will be also adding a refugium to it. Will I need a protein skimmer? I plan on putting some Amphipods, Copepods and isopods along with Chaetomorpha and Feather Caulerpa Macro Algae in the sump. Then I plan on putting about 3inch of sand, some other kinds of Macro Algae in the refugium along with a light and maybe a fish in it. Any suggestions on what i can do to get by not using one very much appreciated. Thanks | 
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12-13-2006, 02:20 AM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Meriden, Connecticut Age: 44
Posts: 3,952
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Technically, you don't need a skimmer. If your bioload is going to be just one fish, I would say you should be alright. If the bioload gets larger, however, then a skimmer will be adviseable!!!
One of the local pet shops has a nano tank skimmer free and it is doing very well!
With proper water changes, fair amount of live rock, deep sand bed and good water flow and of course the right water parameters-that will go along way in the success of your tank.
Don't forget to focus some attention on lighting for your tank...that will be crucial depending on the type of corals and Tridacna's you want to keep! _________ 125gal.w/Mag9.5 return(dual megaflow)>Mag7 pump Aqua Cev180skimmer.Wave2k Hamilton Reefstar(2)250watthqi(mh)pend.a Yellow, Naso Tang Red Lip Blenny Percula Clown Demoiselles Niger Trigger F. Wrasses Ceriantharia Orn.Shrimp and Stars Hermits Queen Conch asst. snails> Stars Zoos shrooms Montipora Brains Gorgonians Favia Turbinaria(large+small polyp) Acropora Xenia Tridacna (CroceaMaximaSquamosa) Leathers <35+75gal.reef tank as well> 
"IF THE PHONE DOESN'T RING...IT'S ME"  jb  | |
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12-13-2006, 04:58 AM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Gigas Clam
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Miami,Florida Age: 21
Posts: 864
  
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I agree with coral reefer, supposably you dont, but if the ocean has one, then i think we should!!! _________ *Since 12/2002 40 gal. 85 lbs live rock. 3" fiji Live sand.wet dry filter and prizm protein skimmer. 192 power compacts
*Since 10/2006 125 gal. Built in Overflows x2, 3" LS(165 lb fiji pink) 175 lb of LR, 2x 36" aquatinics T5 HO fixtures(10x39W bulbs 2 gliesman aquablue+1 gliesman actinic+2 ATI aquablue special), mag 18 return pump, PM R30fuge. AquaC EV 180 skimmer.
**Working on CL with 2 4mdqx-sc little giants and a OM Super Squirt.  | |
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12-13-2006, 12:16 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Gigas Clam
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Carpentersville, IL Age: 52
Posts: 874
Karma: 137
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IMO
Yes
There is no real down side to having a good skimmer.
There are multiple down sides in not having one.
nuff said.
_________
300 Reef; 325LR, 1/2" sand bed in tank, 3" sand bed in 215 gal sump/refugium and Berliner PowerPro SS twin becket skimmer. 210 Reef; with 225 lbs of LR, 300 lb DSB, Large W/D and Jebo 520 skimmer modified to accept a becket. 90 RR FOWLR; tied into the 300's sump with a closed loop for extra circulation. 55 hospital. | |
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12-13-2006, 12:19 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Stylophora
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Montreal, QC,Quebec Age: 29
Posts: 999
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blade_Runner  IMO
Yes
There is no real down side to having a good skimmer.
There are multiple down sides in not having one.
nuff said. | +1 
Marc. _________ 
20Gal, 45 lbs LR, 65W PC 10 000K + 65W PC 20 000K + 10Gal sump/fuge
Livestock :hermit and snails, Green star polyps, Button polyps, Finger leather, Xenia, Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Yellow polyps, montipora digitata, acropora, ?mistery polyps?, mistery crab, six line wrasse | |
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12-13-2006, 01:26 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Feather Duster
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Batavia New York Age: 23
Posts: 214
Karma: 179
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Yeah, thanks guys. I just didn't want to put copepods in my refugium. I wanted to kinda display the refugium. | |
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12-13-2006, 02:21 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Meriden, Connecticut Age: 44
Posts: 3,952
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Think of it this way...In nature-waves are an integral part of our reefs and oceans. Have you ever seen the frothy white bubble mixture washed up on the shores of our oceans? that is detritus etc. caused by the waves continuous pounding of water and sand etc.below-that is the oceans natural protein skimmer jus like the unwanted waste collected in our skimmers each and every day. To look at the stuff that our skimmers remove from our tanks day in and day out, you would be amazed at what is in your water-released from corals fish and inverts(detritus, decay, gametes,respiration/gas exchange etc.)!!!!!!!You will also want to run out and pick up a skimmer quickly as that waste collecting in your tank will break down oxygen and consume it, therby hindering its ability of maintaining wate/oxygen level at the saturation level(allows gas exchange across the water's surface)!!!!! | |
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