Is a protein skimmer really necessary?

[justingadd6420]

Is a protein skimmer really necessary? I cant get my eshopps in sump set up correctly and i am ready to just say screw it!! and at what point is it absolutely necessary?

 

[Dav3]

What size tank?

 

[justingadd6420]

60g with a sump

 

[justingadd6420]

I have 50 lbs live rock and 40 lbs live substrate at this point I only have one fish a yellowtail damsel but I do want more and I plan on getting more live rock as well before I start adding fish. The ultimate goal is a reef aquarium

 

[bribo12]

I'd use a skimmer. It'll make your life a heck of a lot easier.

 

[justingadd6420]

This eshopps is crap I can't get it set! The said I need to let it season but it is bubbling like crazy and oxygenating the hell out of my water. When I put the cup on top it fills up with water and the foam pushes the top off. I really just don't have any clue about how to set it or anything

 

[bribo12]

Which eshopps is it? Do you have it in the right level of water? Play with the adjustment knob somewhere. It shouldn't be overflowing every time.

 

[54seaweed]

try raising the cup a little till it stops taking in water and just takes in the foam
once you get it dialed in takes time and patients we all been there trust me
my first skimmer took me almost a month to get it to work properly

 

[justingadd6420]

Yeah I finally go through to eshopps tech support. A lady named sandy walked me through the seasoning process. Lol I have the water level adjusted to where it isn't just spewing out but the skimmer is mostly out of the water. She was actually very helpful. We will see how it goes. Thanks for your help