Are protein skimmers really that important?

[Gumbies R Us]

I occasionally will see people on here who will not run protein skimmers in their tank and think, "Do I really need one in my tank as well?" That's why I'm asking all of you. Do you think protein skimmers are important for a reef tank, or do you think reefers can do without them?

Photo Credit: @Butuz

 

[slingfox]

Protein skimmers provide another way to export nutrients and to aerate the water. If you can keep nutrients at the level you like then no need for a protein skimmer other providing extra aeration.

 

[exnisstech]

They are a useful tool but not a requirement for success. I run tanks with and without them.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Following along. Im running without one right now, but have been toying with getting one in the back of my mind

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I have always run one, even in my tank 18 years ago. Rather or not they are necessary, I can not say, but I do like to feed my fish, which leads to high nutrients. I think it is one of those things where it totally depends on your tank maintenance. Don't get me wrong, I do 25% WC's every other week as well, But I feed heavily and to me at least, it a good trade off.

 

[vlangel]

Different tanks have different needs. I never used protein skimmers in my early days (25 yrs ago) and even with feeding heavy but doing a 5-10% water change every week I never needed one.

Then around 2014 I got into erectus seahorses. I no longer had a deep sand bed to help lower nitrates. The seahorses ate a lot of frozen mysis and wasted even more. So not only did I use a protein skimmer but I bought one that was 3Xs the capacity for my tank size, and that was not overkill for a seahorse tank. My opinion is they are a must have for most seahorse keepers.

When my last pony lived out its lifespan then I went back to a mixed reef and deep sandbed and took the protein skimmer off. Ornamental Macro algae take up the nutrients along with the sandbed and the skimmer is just not needed in my tank.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

For bigger tanks and larger fish. Yes. Nano tank under 50G don't need it. I believe a refugium is more beneficial and provides enough export.

 

[CHSUB]

As far as filter go, most important and best!

 

[BriDroid]

Personally, I wouldn't run a tank without one. The aeration alone is worth it to me, not to mention the nasty stuff it pulls out even if not tuned optionally.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Protein skimmers are absolutely important. They remove DOC and more importantly the hobby is learning the importance of oxygen levels in reef tanks. I personally run a hose from my inlet to outside so I can keep ph up. Last I’d like to say that when k notice an issue with my tank it’s usually because my skimmer is not working properly.

 

[BryanM]

Well, I do not run a protein skimmer. Can they be useful? Absolutely. Are they necessary, nope.

 

[164644]

I truly believe that it is impossible to run a serious reef tank without a skimmer…

… except if you are Julian Sprung

There, nothing make sense: no skimmer, no circulation… and everything grows

Every time that I see a video about his tanks… I enter into deny mode
How is that possible???

Cheers

 

[exnisstech]

I truly believe that it is impossible to run a serious reef tank without a skimmer…

I'm not Julian sprung and maybe my idea of a serious reef is flawed or I have low expectations

My skimmer less reef tanks.

 

[BryanM]

This tank is also skimmerless:

 

[exnisstech]

This tank is also skimmerless:

Yellow tangs are coloring up nicely. I have a hippo growing out in the basement almost ready to add to my gang in the 330.
EDIT: and that gorgonian. Mine looks like a twig lol

 

[BryanM]

Yellow tangs are coloring up nicely. I have a hippo growing out in the basement almost ready to add to my gang in the 330.

They are looking good, two of them chase each other a fair amount, but I haven't seen any issues from it.

Now they need to fatten up. I probably need to get on your feeding plan!

 

[CHSUB]

I truly believe that it is impossible to run a serious reef tank without a skimmer…

… except if you are Julian Sprung

There, nothing make sense: no skimmer, no circulation… and everything grows

Every time that I see a video about his tanks… I enter into deny mode
How is that possible???

Cheers

Been to his house, tank has great flow and a skimmer…

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

In my experience, there is an inverse relationship between coral biomass and need for a protein skimmer.

 

[164644]

Been to his house, tank has great flow and a skimmer…

I’m a bit surprised…. Since he stated in both interviews that there is no skimmer on his main tank

One 12 years ago and another one more recently.

For the rest, being or not Julian was just to give a counter example of my own believe :)


Here it go:
Minute 3:20


And minute 12:00

 

[164644]

In my experience, there is an inverse relationship between coral biomass and need for a protein skimmer.

Hello! Could you please elaborate on this?
To be sure, here you are referring purely to “nutrient” export part, right?

I have a significant amount of coral mass vs volume… although I was many times tempted to remove the skimmer… I never had the guts to run without it for more than 2 days (cleaning it)

I’m too scared to… but tempted:)

Thanks!