Protein skimmer?

[SaltNewB]

Do I need a skimmer to take my two green spotted puffers to full marine?

[Pufferpunk]

Definitely helpful with removing tons of waste.

[RTR]

+1 to PP's comment.

[Pufferpunk]

Once you see the gross, smelly crap a skimmer takes out, you'll wonder how your fish were alive in that water!

[SaltNewB]

Ha ha I know exactly what your talking about I have a pred tank. Just honestly dot feel like spending that much money on a skimmer for them. I guess I'm a cheap butt cuz I already bought 2 for my other tanks. Just hoping I could get away without one.

[CarmenH]

With puffers you'll need to do frequent, large water changes if you don't get a skimmer.
It won't take long to make up the cash you spend on the skimmer...marine salt is pricey

[Brandon8521]

With puffers you'll need to do frequent, large water changes if you don't get a skimmer.
It won't take long to make up the cash you spend on the skimmer...marine salt is pricey

+1

[SaltNewB]

What if I would combine the two systems together and the one skimmer for both systems?

[RTR]

Multi-tanks systems can work - I do a lot of that, but cross-contamination can be highly destructive. IMHO, if it is just to save on the cost of skimmer, that is false economy. A skimmer is far cheaper than a multi-tank wipe-out.

Are you really prepared to do the absolutely rigorous testing/QT of everything before it goes into such a set-up? That alone is several times the cost of a skimmer, and in fact should include skimmers on those isolation tanks. I generally have at least 5 isolation tanks available. All are fully equipped, and for SW would need to be run 3-6 months before specimens can be moved into the system, minimum.

[Pufferpunk]

LOL, I've always got an extra skimmer/filter/tank, etc., in the basement.

[ironbone]

i was wondering same thing i only have 1 gsp in 40g could i get away with a smaller cheaper one?like a co current one with a limestone bubbler?i have another bw tank with mollies in it,i use 2 powerheads with airpump to airate water,i tried to make a diy surface skimmer to collect crud at the top but i havent had any progress,getting the thing to skim surface properly!!!both my tanks are at 1.020 sg .i use a big vat to make up my wc in advance thats why i keep the tanks the same but wow salt is getting pricey

[RTR]

Operating costs are tricky. It boils down to personal choice for everyone individually. I have been in this hobby forever, and will stay here as long as I am at all capable of maintaining tanks. I don't mind spending money on the tanks, but try to base my cost on a life-cycle basis. I don't care if a piece of equipment is expensive, if it going to last 10-30+ years and does not have high operating costs during that period. That way the total life cycle costs are low.

If you are uncertain what you will be running in a few years, or even keeping tanks at all, then initial purchase price would be much more significant.

So figure out what is best for you. Sometimes the "expensive" equipment is really the cheapest long-term, if it does the job the you want done and is economical to operate. Salt is a disposable and routine replacement item. If its cost is too heavy, some highly efficient equipment such as decent foam fractionators (aka skimmers) can provide significantly lower long-term total operating costs. Everybody has to work that out for themselves.

HTH

[Pufferpunk]

I use Backpacs on my 40gs. You should be able to find a used one for around $50.

[ironbone]

thank u for input very well put

[SaltNewB]

I understand the multiple tank whip out that would suck!!! But isn't a bigger system more stable and less likely for failure? But thinking about it would it be wise to link puffers to a reek tank? I know a lot of things on a reef are very sensitive to nitrates well I guess sensitive to pretty much everything. But I could also see it being good cuz of all the live rock and the combanaton of live rock to make the environment that much better for the picky sensitive puffers and everything on the reef "more filtration behind the seanse lol" I guess you could make arguments both ways. I guess I see more benefit not only the skimmer then I do faults. What do you think?