29 gal bio cube: protein skimmer vs no protein skimmer

[Charley]

Hi all,

Have a 29 ga biocube running for about 2 mos. Do about a 20% water change every 2 weeks approx. So far so good. No protein skimmer used so far. Not sure whether to get one or not. Seems to be if you are consistent with water changes, lots of live rock/sand then a protein skimmer not needed. But yet seems like there are good protein skimmers out there now. Not sure which way to go long term. Welcome thoughts on this.....

Have a 6 six line wrasse (that's another thread!), 4 small corals a clean up crew at the moment. Will add a pair of clowns and 1 or 2 more fish most like a jawfish and a a sandsifter....

Thanks

 

[reefer4eva]

I had the same tank years ago and to be honest I wouldn't even bother using one..I did waterchanges every week.i had a skimmer and if I emptied the collector cup once a month that was a lot and there was barely any skimate in there..IMO if you could utilize that chamber for something else I would do so..

 

[Sameer]

hi....good that someone asked this question....i am setting a 29 biocube as well in next 1-2 weeks and i prefer doing weekly water changes than using a protein skimmer.....but i wish to know if i should use a UV on the biocube...? if yes, then wud it be 3W, 5W or a 9W?

 

[reefer4eva]

A uv sterilizer will kill off all the beneficial bacteria.i use to believe that it would help my tank till I realized it was doing more harm than good

 

[Charley]

thanks Reefer for your help with this. I using an eshoppes square foam in the back and will 1 more which I hope the intended effect of additional biological filtration in addition to the rocks/sand to avoid the protein skimmer. Have to admit though would be nice if a protein skimmer cold help reduce water changes but I just feel more comfortable with water changes. And the UV is interesting in that ir kills off bad and good apparently reducing the benefit. So much to learn, so little time..

 

[piranhapat]

I would invest in Protein skimmer. Simply I believe its one of the most important equipment in saltwater tank. Especially if you stock heavy with fish. . In the long run it will help your tank get rid of waste that builds up in time. In the beginning a skimmer not needed. I ran 20 gallon tank with a nano skimmer that I had to empty cup every two days. . I have a different opinion about not using one in the long run.

 

[reefer4eva]

I would invest in Protein skimmer. Simply I believe its one of the most important equipment in saltwater tank. Especially if you stock heavy with fish. . In the long run it will help your tank get rid of waste that builds up in time. In the beginning a skimmer not needed. I ran 20 gallon tank with a nano skimmer that I had to empty cup every two days. . I have a different opinion about not using one in the long run.

I use to think the same thing how it is usually a priority in a reeftank..being that its only a 29 cube your limited to the amount of fish you could have and the bio load wouldn't even be a factor with weekly water changes (I use to do 4 gallons a week which is more than enough)

 

[Sameer]

i would second reefer4eva....i am running 2 nano tanks now (15 gallon column and a 20 gallon) - both tanks have softies, LPS and 1-2 hard SPS without any skimmer or a refugium/sump/UV without any issues....i do bi-weekly 4-5 gallon water change which maintains my water levels as well...i guess different people have different opinions but in the end experience teaches you all and i believe in that....every tank chemistry differs

 

[jcs11236]

I had my nano running for 10 years. Only thing I used was a filter pad which I changed out every other day. And a bag of GFO/carbon
I have kept all coral and rbta with no issues or algae problems. You do have to do water changes weekly religiously. I never missed a week

 

[Jakef150]

6 line wrasse should be last to add to tank or it will bully or chasing other fish.

Skimmer also help PH.

I have biocube 29 w tunze 9002 Stevie's cup w/ AI sol blue.

I change water 5 gal every 2 weeks.

I uses BRS rox 2 tbsp in mesh bag and change it every 2 weeks and BRS GFO 4 tbsp in mesh bag, change once a month.

Stop by and check it out if you want

Jake

 

[Charley]

Hi Jake.....realize the folly of my ways with the 6 six line. Just going to hope he is not a terror when I finally add some more fish....

Thanks for all the info.

Might take you up on the visit! - Much appreciated

 

[basiab]

Having a skimmer does not reduce the water change requirement because that is how you replenish the minerals in your tank.
I have an Aquapod 24 gallon and ran it years without a skimmer and a few years with a skimmer (Rio hang on) and can not see a difference. But I still use it because it removes a few ounces of dark green stuff about once a month and would rather not have it in the tank. Also in small tanks we tend to overstock.