Do I Need A Skimmer?

[pimp4cheddar]

I'm starting a 30 gallon Salt Water Tank. My tank came with a Water Heater, normal 20-40 filter and a tank.

I went to Petco and met some lady that has two 55gallon tanks at her house. She explained to me everything that I need except for the skimmer. I came back home and read up and saw I might need one to help with the protein.

So I went back and spoke to her and she said she has been having her two tanks for 7 months with no skimmer and everything is fine.


My questions: would I be able to wing it without a skimmer? Why or why not...I've read that I don't have to depending on the tank and coral.




Also, I'm going Coral Rock for the ground, fake silk plants and 1 Lion Fish, 1 Trigger, 1 Snail and probably 1 Eel...don't know if you needed to know this.



Thanks,

 

[Colin_T]

Protein skimmers remove protein from the water and help reduce the load on the filter. This means the water will stay cleaner for longer so you won’t have to do as many water changes to keep it clean. You will still have to do water changes, but the skimmer will reduce the frequency they need to be done. And the tank you plan is a predator tank with fish that eat heaps and make a mess so a skimmer is a really good idea.
Try to get a power skimmer rather than an air operated one. Power skimmers run off a water pump and do a much better job. They also work a lot more quickly. Get as biggest skimmer as you can afford.

 

[SkiFletch]

Agree with Colin here, a skimmer is a very good idea on a predator tank.