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Saltwater Tank Questions2007-11-24 23:40:12

When I had my last swt, (Ten years ago) it went pretty well, 75 gal, aquarium rock, lava rock, undergravel filter and power filters, along with back (wheel) filters. However the newer books insist that I did it all wrong (my fish seemed happy, but what do I know??). This was not a reef tank, though I did have a couple feather dusters, and animones for my clowns and a brittle star, along with only about 7 fish..(tangs,clowns,koran) Now they say I need a protein skimmer, along with live rock to create the best filtration. Though I have successfuly maintained a swt without these two items, I do want my fish to be healthy with longevity. For those of you with swt's any comments? Are they really needed? I have priced live rock at around $175-200 dollars for 40 lbs, so its quite an investment, but most likely worth it in the long run I guess.

Answers:

Hi there, regarding your question, firstly, i would like to explain to you about the role of the protein skimmer in your tank.

A protein skimmer removes the proteins and other organic wastes from the aquarium before they have a chance to break down into more harmful elements, such as ammonia and nitrite. Removing these wastes also helps prevent algae build-up, as does the reduction in phosphates. Protein skimmers are also helpful in removing any toxins released from corals or invertebrates in the aquarium. As a result of these effects, the water quality is therefore improved, and less frequent water changes are necessary. Protein skimmers have an added advantage in increasing the amount of oxygen in the water. Many saltwater aquariums could benefit greatly from having a skimmer.