ranga97

Hey everyone.
After I went to seaworld yesterday, I really want to set up a saltwater tank. But the thing is my mother would hate it if she saw a bucket of premixed saltwater all the time. So I was just wondering would a protein skimmer lessen the NEED to have a water change every week, maybe once a fortnight??

If skimmers don't, what can?
It would be for a 20-25gal.

ATP

A protein skimmer removes organic compounds (nutrients).

Water change also does that, but its also meant to balance out parameters, remove pollution and other things. A skimmer is to help maintain low nutrient level by removeing the organic compuond before it becomes the nutrients.

So it helps. It is part of the filtration.

You're not suppose to do water changes daily. I only do once a week and sometimes once a month water change.

ranga97

OK,
That sounds great.
So I could vary it between once a week and fortnightly if I had a skimmer.
Thanks
Ranga

locoyo386

Hi there,

Well a protein skimmer is a additional mehcanichal filtration. As far as water changes, the most commond reasons for doing them are;
1.) To reduce high level of nitrates.
2.) To replenish water soluables, like calcium, magnesium and so forth.

If you are doing them for the first reason, there are filter types that will help reduce nitrates thus eliminting the need for them.

If you are doing them for the second reason, their are reactors to introduce these soluables, not sure if you would be able to introduce all trace elements in this manner though, thus water changes might still be needed but not as frequent as they would be without them.

ranga97

Ok,
Thanks heaps!!!

zeeter

Regardless of the need for extra pre-mix for the reasons stated above, it is still always good to have a large percentage of your total tank volume on hand in case of emergency.