Do I need a skimmer?

I set up my 38 gal reef tank on friday. I was wondering if I should have a skimmer..?What are the consequences if I do not have one..?

 

Not yet, but its strongly recommended. Is this going to be a reef or FO or FOWLR ? I still give the same answer btw.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16 2148&aid=2825

 

I set up my 38 gal reef tank on friday

 

A skimmer is need for a reef IMO, it takes out organics in the water that regular biofiltration cant take out, it also reduces the amount of water changes needed depending on how good your skimmer is and it helps keep nitrates down.

In your case as of right now you dont need one. I bought a skimmer when i bought my fish load for the tank and a few corals. So if you have a few fish in there, you could go ahead and get one if you want but you dont have to right away.

 

I wouldn't say they were absolutely necessary, but they are very helpful. You may be able to find one used. I got mine from Craigslist for pretty cheap and it was in good condition. I've been using it on my 40 gallon. There is only LR and a few coral, no fish. The skimmer still pulls tons of gunk from the water.

 

i agree with crimson ghost. skimmers aren't needed right away. but save a spot for it.

 

okay, ill definately keep some room, thanks

 

I do not run a skimmer on my 28 gal sps tank. I have a very small bio-load as far as fish and inverts, mostly corals and the tank is well established and I keep feeding lite. Skimmers are great but if someone gave me a new on today I would not put it on my tank. Balance is very important but a skimmer gives you much greater room for error and the ability to have a larger bio-load and feed more often. IME

 

I have another question..i just set up my tank on Friday, and I put in a 10 lb piece of LR, will this help the cycle? How long should i wait before I put in base rock?

 

Ack – you just asked a great (albeit basic) question, and I am glad you asked ! Live rock will start the cycle as it will begin to die in the immature water. The die off will spike ammonia which will give way to nitrites and eventually nitrates. You will start to test your tank for these three (you don’t have to test all three, but I always feel its important for someone to test all three at the beginning for several reasons). Anyway, you will see the ammonia spike high then the nitrites and then the nitrates. Once the ammonia and nitrites are at zero you can begin water changes and when all three are at zero you have cycled. At this point I suggest 2-3 more weeks to let the maturing of the water continue --- then you are good to go.

As for base rock, you can put that in today – there is no life that you need to sustain.