Protein Skimmer???

[Squidward]

I just bought a 75 gal SW tank. The guy I'm dealing with is new to me (new pet store) and he says that I don't need a Skimmer unless I have live rock in the tank. This is the first I've heard of this. Is there any truth to this? Thanks in advance for your replies.

Sincerely,

Skimmerless in Utah

 

[MaJiKTeRRoR]

Protein skimmers remove dissolved waste in the water. They are a good idea for any saltwater tank. If anything with enough LR and a Bad@$$ protein skimmer you don't need a wet/dry. That is called the Berlin Method.

 

[basile]

haha thats why i hate pet store people, they always steer new hobbyists in the wrong direction and set you up for failure right away. if anything, with out live rock you would need a skimmer MORE but honostly, i would deffinitly get some live rock and a skimmer. i used to have just sand and a skimmer and fish would die left and right which sucks with SW fish prices but once i put the live rock in there about two years ago i have not had one fish ever get sick, although some little guys dissapear once in a while since ive converted to reef. but yeah if you just wanna go with all fish i would still definitly recomend a good amount of live rock----you wont regret it----and besides it looks cool too

 

[K.O.D]

As said before, the berlin method of reef filtration relies on

1. Really strong water circulation
2. Adequate volume of quality live rock
3. An efficient, oversized protein skimmer

Although you dont really need a skimmer for a fish only tank, you are loading up the water with proteins etc that will be converted to nitrites/nitrates through the nitrogen cycle

Attached is a quick pic of what the Berlin method is capable of

Steve