a question about protien skimmers

[noob2saltH20]

Ok so I'm learning about salt water tanks and I want to convert my 16 bow fresh to a salt tank. Now I'm wondering is it 100 percent needed to have a protien skimmer? Cause the ones I've seen go for like 100 bucks. I can get lights live rock sand and salt but idk about the skimmer. Any advice would be great thanks so much

 

[subliminalanarchy]

no it's not needed in a 16g.

 

[noob2saltH20]

Ok let me make sure I have this right. I'm going to need... live sand as well as rock salt a hydromitor heater and my filter. My only question is about lighting what would u all suggest cause I have no idea what to get thans so much again