For Those In The Hobby-Is a Protein Skimmer Necessary for a Reef Aquarium?

Do I need a protein skimmer for my reef aquarium?

This is a subject that I think will always be debated on. If you go to any of the reef aquarium forums, I'm sure you will find a discussion dealing with this very question right now. In fact, that's why I decided to do a post on the subject.

I'm not quite sure if you "need" one. But it does help in removing organics before they break down and become part of the nitrogen cycle. However, a skimmer could over skim and end up removing beneficial nutrients taken in by corals and inverts. And that would not be good. So if you don't want to skim then you must do small, weekly water changes. This is a must!

Skimming also provides aeration for the water, oxygenating it, thus improving the overall health of your fish and corals. But if the skimmer does not produce enough bubbles it may not remove the bad organics in the water. It must be fine tuned. Again, you can avoid this worry by doing weekly water changes, but they have to be done religiously!

But how many of us fail in doing regular water changes? A protein skimmer could add a little bit of a buffer, if you cannot do a change on a regular basis. And it can provide some protection if some catastrophe happens in the tank. Like for example, a creature dies and leaks excessive junk into the tank, the skimmer would help in removing that junk quickly, way before you even know about it.

If you have a skimmer and you are thinking of removing it from your system, keep in mind that you will want to do it gradually, so their will be no undo stress on the ecosystem of your tank. If you are thinking of adding one, remember to get a good one. Now I didn't say an expensive one, but a good one. Check out the online marine forums for information on which skimmers are the best, and then choose one that matches best with the size and the type of creatures you have in your aquarium.

If you don't have a skimmer and you notice that your SPS corals, for example, are not coloring up (not turning brown), then maybe you don't need a skimmer. But if you notice something wrong with your sensitive animals then maybe a skimmer is needed.

So, I have to sum it up this way, whether you have a skimmer or not, their will never be a substitute for frequent, small water changes!