rookie question?

[tmac]

hello all, i have a 55gal marine fish only set up. system has been running
for three weeks with four damsels. i use a wet/dry filter and once a week
i use a magum 350 canister micron filter to assist with water appearance. my question is this. should i use a protein skimmer or a uv sterilizer or both to ensure clean water. or do i really need either one .thank you in advance for your help.

 

[steve-s]

Welcome to AquariumAdvice.com

Skimmers can always be a good way of removing excess nutrient from the water. You could also look into a planted refugium as well. The UV will not remove the nutrient, more so it will kill the algeas that may cause some issues.

If anything carefully administered feedings and watching the types of foods will be your best benefit. If you are not one for water changes, then the skimmer would be your easiest solution. Otherwise a 10% weekly water change would do much the same thing. In the 3rd week of the tanks conception though there will be little or nothing in the tank to skim as yet. Once it matures and more animals are added then it may be necessary.

Cheers
Steve