Buying a protein skimmer Now ?

yoshi191 · 08-31-2006, 02:26 PM

Hey iv be reading the Forums for a while now and i have a Q for once.
Iv almost gotten every thing for my 55 gallon SW set up.But im out of money at this moment lol..And i was wondering if i can let it start to cycle with out a protein skimmer for the moment intill i can get one ? Thanks

ahill3780 · 08-31-2006, 02:37 PM

Let me extend the formal welcome as you are a new member: Welcome to FishTankForums!

Absolutely. A skimmer will help out, but as I have said before it is not necessary. You can easily get through the cycle and even the first few fish without one. Go ahead and take your time to save up. This is better because while you are waiting you can research into which skimmers you would like. Getting a quality skimmer is tougher than you might think, not all of them are made equal.

I have heard rave reviews about Red Sea Berlin skimmers, Ramora Backpack skimmers, and the Coralife Super Skimmer. I have not had any direct experience with these but I have had my eye on the Berlin and Coralife skimmers for a while now and am trying to decide which of the two to go with for myself.

-Aaron

yoshi191 · 08-31-2006, 02:48 PM

Thanks.. It would only be about a week that it would be cycling with out a protenin skimmer . Cause then it payday lol Thanks

ahill3780 · 08-31-2006, 02:55 PM

You may have the skimmer on there in a week, but its gonna take a bit longer than that until it starts working. Skimmers need time to build up a slime coat on the inside chamber to help the bubbles travel up into the collection cup. I would say that you may start seeing excellent results in a month or so after turning it on, but it could take even longer than that.

Which skimmer have you chosen? I hope its not the SeaClone, those things are pretty much worthless.

Good luck!
Aaron

IshAquariums · 08-31-2006, 11:19 PM

yippe i get to give my 2 cents. Ok a friend of mine has the backpack skimmer (mentioned above). It is well liked at my LFS because, you can put crushed live rock ( small chunks) and even sea weed in. Thus giving you yet another biological filter.

Salty B · 09-01-2006, 08:19 AM

I have a backpack skimmer (Generation 2) with the blue bio-bale. I love it! Can't remember which brand it is though. Ramora maybe?

yoshi191 · 09-10-2006, 06:56 PM

Hey I went out and bought a Red Sea skimmer with the upgrade so i can put bio in it or what not .... it's a good skimmer thanks for telling me to not get the seaclone .. at the store they told me not to get the seaclone too lol... well thanks ! i will post pics of my new set up soon !