Protein Skimmer - How soon do I need it

[Mr.Robot]

Hello,
With my new tank (Fluval sea evo 13.5) only containing 2 Clown Fish, 1 Xenia, and 1 Zoas. How soon do I need to add/ turn on a protein skimmer?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Even if the tank is brand new and very clean, it will still provide the huge benefit of oxygenating the water. Looking at the picture I see a flat water surface which actually cuts the oxygenation to the water (water surface should be agitated to help with gas exchange).

So for this reason I would turn it on now.

 

[GARRIGA]

Nozzle should be pointed up to agitate surface water as mentioned as well as releasing any nitrogen or hydrogen sulfide.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I agree with all of the above. A new skimmer also has a break in period, so sooner is great. Definitely get a power head aimed at the surface.

 

[Mr.Robot]

Even if the tank is brand new and very clean, it will still provide the huge benefit of oxygenating the water. Looking at the picture I see a flat water surface which actually cuts the oxygenation to the water (water surface should be agitated to help with gas exchange).

So for this reason I would turn it on now.

awesome advice!
I read on another thread that I should turn the PS off if the Xenia stops moving (which it did) so I turned it off.

How soon should I start to see any discoloration in my skim?

 

[Sophie"s mom]

You have to play with a skimmer a bit to get how you want. I prefer dry skim mate. That doesn’t mean it’s dry, just less wet. That will be very thick and brown. If you choose wet skim mate it will still be brown ish in color, but watery. As to how long it takes, every tank is different, you have a very small bio load. How often do you feed your fish?

 

[Mr.Robot]

Nozzle should be pointed up to agitate surface water as mentioned as well as releasing any nitrogen or hydrogen sulfide.

I have one nozzle above the surface to create agitation and one down to create a flow. Should I put both up?

I also have a pump (fluval sea CP1) but I felt like it was too powerful for so little coral in the tank. It also seemed like it was stressing out the clown fish as they began to hide and stay close to the walls. I turned it off and they instantly come out and have been all over the tank exploring since. Thoughts?

 

[Mr.Robot]

You have to play with a skimmer a bit to get how you want. I prefer dry skim mate. That doesn’t mean it’s dry, just less wet. That will be very thick and brown. If you choose wet skim mate it will still be brown ish in color, but watery. As to how long it takes, every tank is different, you have a very small bio load. How often do you feed your fish?

Feed the fish 2 times a day mimicking the schedule the fish store had them on

 

[MyFirstCar]

I have one nozzle above the surface to create agitation and one down to create a flow. Should I put both up?

I also have a pump (fluval sea CP1) but I felt like it was too powerful for so little coral in the tank. It also seemed like it was stressing out the clown fish as they began to hide and stay close to the walls. I turned it off and they instantly come out and have been all over the tank exploring since. Thoughts?

Your nozzle setup is fine, and you'll probably change it every time you get new corals. Turn the skimmer on, experiment with it, get a feel for running a tank, and don't stress for now. Save the stress for SPS

 

[PharmrJohn]

And I agree with previous posters. Once you have fish in the ecosystem, a skimmer is warranted. In this case, for O2 saturation primarily. Personally? I would run something like a Tunze Comline DOC 9001.

 

[GARRIGA]

I have one nozzle above the surface to create agitation and one down to create a flow. Should I put both up?

I also have a pump (fluval sea CP1) but I felt like it was too powerful for so little coral in the tank. It also seemed like it was stressing out the clown fish as they began to hide and stay close to the walls. I turned it off and they instantly come out and have been all over the tank exploring since. Thoughts?

From the pic it appears the surface isn't being agitated. I'd point both up and angle them closer or farther apart until desired flow reached. Don't need to point one down to create flow. It's a small enough tank those should create the required flow by just aiming at the surface as that water will circulate throughout the tank.

Could also change them for a single random flow generator (no experience but many love them) and instead of having two pumps just exchange the return pump to DC and adjust the flow so surface agitated yet tank flow not too much to stress life yet not sure why clowns would care.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have one nozzle above the surface to create agitation and one down to create a flow. Should I put both up?

I also have a pump (fluval sea CP1) but I felt like it was too powerful for so little coral in the tank. It also seemed like it was stressing out the clown fish as they began to hide and stay close to the walls. I turned it off and they instantly come out and have been all over the tank exploring since. Thoughts?

That pump is not that strong, lots of people upgrade their stock pump and even add another powerhead in the tank. We are replicating the ocean, a little of of flow is not not bothering the fish, they even like flow, they play in it. They just need to get used to it, and they will. Flow is very important in a saltwater tank.

 

[exnisstech]

As to skimmers, I'll just jump in to say a skimmer isn't needed. I have 3 systems running all without skimmers. Nothing wrong with them I just don't find them necessary.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I had a skimmer come with my tank (RedSea AIO). Getting the nozzle in the perfect spot and the strength correctly done took a while.

 

[GlassMunky]

Personally on nano tanks I don’t run skimmers. I don’t think they function well enough to warrant the high costs.
I’ve always found nano skimmers to just under perform and am left unhappy.
Regular water changes are more than enough to handle any waste build up.