220gal tank

[Giants2]

Hey everyone,

New to saltwater but been keeping freshwater fish since I was 14 now 38. Right now I have a 220gal withb2 fx6s canisters and my plan was to go live sand/rock with the 2 fx6s but dont know what protein skimmer to get since I dont have a sump and honestly never had one before. Looking online there's so much information but im kinda getting lost to the point where salt seems crazy

 

[lapin]

Forget the skimmer if you don’t have a sump. The little hang on the rim ones are not sized for your tank.

 

[Giants2]

Ok so 2 fx6, live sand and rock and weekly wc which I alrdy do about 30% I should be Ok? Everywhere I read theu say I need a skimmer

 

[lapin]

People kept tanks before there were skimmers . Sumps were the solution to adding more filtration instead of relying on deep sand beds, canister filters and under gravel filtration.
With the sump you have an overflow which provides surface skimming . A fuge which can provide filtration. A skimmer is just one more level of filtration. Even with all of that water changes are still needed. ( my unpopular option )

 

[Giants2]

I found this skimmer ConeS HOB Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer. This might work with my setup while keeping both fx6s as well?

 

[Johnnyracer]

I run a 450g fish only without a skimmer. I dont care what they say. And previously i had a 180g fish only, sharks eels, lionfish, triggers, multiple groupers.....no skimmer. I have used a few different types of skimmers, but in short, they all suck. I wont use one again. My 450g will eventually be fully stocked with big fish. Ive got 250lbs of Tampa Bay Saltwater sand right from the ocean and a big sump. Water changes are key like you say.

Id definitely run the 220g with the FX6's and not worry. Be patient and let the nitrifing bacteria colonize and youll be good.