Aquarium Questions & Answers

Protein skimmer effectiveness varies, and depends a great deal upon the salinity of the water that's being 'skimmed'

Daniel P. asks the following questions:

"Should I have a protein skimmer for a 150g brackish tank at a specific gravity of 1.010, or a 46g brackish at 1.006?  Would it be helpful for a 150g freshwater tank or a 250g freshwater tank?"

Protein skimmers are widely believed to only function in saltwater, but this isn't the case.  Brackish water and freshwater aquariums can make use of protein skimmers, albeit less effectively than saltwater aquariums.

To answer your questions, a protein skimmer is advised to a brackish aquariums if you have a large bio-load in the aquarium, and/or have problems maintaining adequate water quality.  I would not recommend purchasing a protein skimmer for a 150 gallon freshwater, and only very hesitantly for a 250 freshwater.  The vast majority of freshwater aquariums are not going to benefit from the addition of a protein skimmer!

If you missed them earlier, here are 3 reasons you need a protein skimmer!

© Captive Aquatics / CA Blog

Comments

[Paul]

I have a 128L Nano tank and intend to place a hang-on Refugium with Miracle mud for added trace elements. I've been advised that there is no need for a Skimmer in this set-up. Is this true?

PS I have been running a 190L Trigon in this way successfully.

[Captive Aquatics]

Depends upon the bioload. My nanos do not have skimmers, mostly because there isn't room. You probably don't need a skimmer, but it would likely help rather than hurt!