Do I need a protein skimmer for LPS corals?

[Ricky Vargas]

Hello, I'm a little new to keeping corals, I was wondering if my corals would benefit from having a protein skimmer or not? I'm asking because I heard that LPS corals like "dirtier" water with some more nutrients in it. So wouldn't the skimmer reduce those nutrients that they need? I only have 2 clownfish and a yellow watchman goby.

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef!!!!
You do not need a skimmer to successfully keep corals but if you want you could. They don’t remove all the nitrate but reduce them.

 

[Skep18]

Welcome to reef2reef!!!!
You do not need a skimmer to successfully keep corals but if you want you could. They don’t remove all the nitrate but reduce them.

+1. There's certainly an arguement for not needing a skimmer but I would say, even if you left the skimmer collection cup off, the aeration provided by a skimmer is very valuable in gas exchange and thus keeping the pH in the tank up.

 

[thoeffe]

Im wondering the same thing, I just bought a few cheap frags a Duncan candy cane and hammer. They opened up fine I think what's most important is that Calc alk salinity and magnesium are kept stable at the correct level. But I think I'm going to get a skimmer just because I don't want to fight algae and black friday is upon us.