protein skimmer and reef

[regaltang]

is a skimmer needed for a reef tank? can u run one w/o one

 

[picoreefguy]

short answer no you dont need a skimmer. i have run a couple tanks without skimmers. but that being said they will allow you to keep your tank cleaner and healthier, they add oxygen and increase your ORP, and there is no downside to having a skimmer besides maintenance and there is no such thing as maintenance free equipment. so i say if you have the space and can afford a skimmer than get a skimmer.

EDIT: i forgot to mention that they can help solve low ph issues when used with a co2 scrubber. (if the co2 is the reason for the low ph)

 

[acroholic]

If you don't have much experience running a reef, then I would definitely get one. The percentage that run one vs that do not is heavily weighted towards using one.

 

[morganatlanta]

It's better to use one. I've tried without, using other methods like algae scrubbing, and I've had better luck with a skimmer than without. Maintenance on a skimmer is pretty low, and they can be picked up used fairly inexpensively, so there's not much reason to go skimmerless.