pbryant33

Do I really need a protein skimmer for my saltwater tank. I have a 75 gallon FOWLR. I have a Tetratec PF 500 power filter with bio-filtration rated for 100 gallon tank. I have a Fluval 405 cannister filter rated for 100 gallon tank. I have 65 pounds of live rock with crushed coral. The tank is stocked with 3 Blue Hippo Tangs , 7 damsels, 1 Long nose Butterfly fish and, 7 candy cane shrimp. I have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and nitrates at 20-40 ppm. I make 25% water changes every weekend. Do i really need a protein skimmer. I use Phosphate-nitrate remover in the cannister filter and clean the filter pad every water change.

sgould

They are pretty necessary, yes. Protein skimmers are pulling out disolved organic matter from the water that your other filtration just will not get. I think once you hook a skimmer up and let it run for a few days, you will be surprised at how much gunk it pulls from your water (really nasty looking gunk, too!).

pbryant33

i guess i will try one then. Thanks for the info.