is it really needed

I have a small 5 gal tank with a few mollies (and i might add some ghost shrimp or mystery sails today) and i was wondering if i really need a skimmer?(i really dont know much about skimmers so plz try to bare with me)

 

If you're talking about fresh water, I don't think you'll need a skimmer.

 

ya i am talkin about freshwater

 

no need for a skimmer. I never knew what a skimmer was until I got in to saltwater, and Ive had 150g cichlid tanks.

 

I don't think skimmers work in freshwater due to the lower pH I believe.
I used my skimmer as a signal of pH in my saltwater aquarium. When it wasn't skimming or foaming well, I'd check pH.

 

That's cool! I'm not sure I knew that...good info to keep in mind. Karma!

 

A skimmer will defintely not work in fresh water.

 

Well I knew that but I never knew why. I like that it can be used as a pH "meter."

 

I think Matt's on to something with the Ph. I just know it won't work because on another forum we were trying to help this guy get his skimmer to work for well over a week and he finally mentioned it was a freshwater tank.