Picking a protein skimmer

[Tmaida17]

Hello everyone!! My name is Tom and I'm still new at this saltwater aquarium setup and learning about it. I've done some research but need help choosing a protein skimmer for my 30 gallon fish only aquarium. Does anybody out there have any ideas of which one I should get? Price doesn't matter as long as its within reason. Hope to hear from you soon .. Thank you!!

 

[carey]

Hi Tom.

To be honest, with a fish only and a 30g tank I would say you can pass on the skimmer. But you have to keep up on your water changes, not overstock or overfeed. I currently run a 29g biocube with no skimmer and also ran a 29g regular tank without as well. Just a matter of how well you take care of your tank.

 

[Tmaida17]

Oh ok .. I have been testing it and everything's been ok so far so I was avoiding but thought it was a necessary to have one to help get ride of the sludge. I just bought a Odessay light from aquatraders.com about 10 days ago and I notice between that and the purple up and microbacter by Brightwell algae growth has bloomed rapidly. It is also at the 2 month mark so that could also make a difference as well. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[Convict2161]

Hi Tom.

To be honest, with a fish only and a 30g tank I would say you can pass on the skimmer. But you have to keep up on your water changes, not overstock or overfeed. I currently run a 29g biocube with no skimmer and also ran a 29g regular tank without as well. Just a matter of how well you take care of your tank.

x2. She knows....

 

[Tmaida17]

Lol thanks convict

 

[Convict2161]

Lol thanks convict

Haha no problem. She's helped me A LOT!!

 

[mr_X]

Oh ok .. I have been testing it and everything's been ok so far so I was avoiding but thought it was a necessary to have one to help get ride of the sludge. I just bought a Odessay light from aquatraders.com about 10 days ago and I notice between that and the purple up and microbacter by Brightwell algae growth has bloomed rapidly. It is also at the 2 month mark so that could also make a difference as well. Thanks for the advice!!

stop adding all that stuff and you won't have "sludge". It's completely unnecessary.

 

[Tmaida17]

I only use 3 days worth like a month ago. The idea was to speed up the processes a little so that my inverts could thrive. I haven't added it since, but it does work. Lol.. Good to know though

 

[Tmaida17]

Hey X you seem to know everything about aquariums.. I need some help finding a clear cover for my aquarium to help prevent my fish from jumping out bc my light covers the whole top of the aquarium.. Where can I get one any idea?

 

[carey]

I use a light diffuser, the whit plastic square things that you can get at home depot. I dremmeled them so they fit exactly in the two spots. You can also make a screen cover, see here

Clear 1/4" Screen Netting 6.5' x 2.5' - English

 

[mr_X]

I don't know everything. I learn new things every day. I do like the screen netting covers that Carey linked. I don't use any top on my aquarium.

 

[Tmaida17]

I was trying to avoid it as well but I recently had a firefish jump out and die so I m going to have to invest in one. May he RIP