Do Saltwater Aquariums Require Protein Skimmers?

Keeping saltwater fish is one of the most challenging--and one of the most rewarding--parts of the aquarium hobby. The fish that inhabit the oceans of the world are among the most fascinating and most colorful, and bringing them into your home is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature whenever you want. Even so, saltwater fish present their own unique challenges, and it is important for saltwater hobbyists to invest in the equipment they need to be successful.

  1. What is a Protein Skimmer?

    • One of those important pieces of equipment is known as a protein skimmer, and before you can decide if you really need one you need to understand what it is and what it does. Simply put, a protein skimmer removes tiny particles, including uneaten food and fish waste, from the water. If those tiny particles were not removed from the water they would break down into ammonia, which in turn inhibits the water's ability to carry oxygen. When ammonia levels reach critical mass, the results can be catastrophic, resulting in high fish losses--and high costs to replace those expensive saltwater fish.

    Are There Alternatives to a Protein Skimmer?

    • Mechanical filtration, including outside power filters and in-tank filters can remove dissolved particles and keep ammonia at bay, but these filters have a serious limitation. Mechanical filters are able to remove large particles from the water, but they will miss the smaller particles that can contribute to an ammonia problem in your saltwater tank. For these smaller particles a protein skimmer is needed, making it an important--and in some cases an irreplaceable--part of your saltwater tank setup.

    Are Protein Skimmers an Absolute Necessity?

    • The answer to this question will depend on a number of factors, including the kind of tank setup you have and the hardiness of your fish. While very hardy species of fish may be able to tolerate higher ammonia and nitrate levels, more delicate specimens may succumb if these levels spike even a little bit. Many saltwater hobbyists feel that it is better to err on the side of caution and install a protein skimmer on every saltwater aquarium. Protein skimmer prices have fallen sharply as technology has improved, making these once exotic devices accessible to even the beginning hobbyist.

    Can You Afford Not to Have a Protein Skimmer?

    • While an experienced saltwater aquarium enthusiast may have the skills it takes to determine when a protein skimmer is an absolute necessity and when it is an option, the beginning enthusiast may want to install one when setting up their tank. It can be hard for even the experienced aquarist to get filtration right, finding the right combination of mechanical and biological filtration. When you consider the expense of setting up a saltwater tank and the cost of the fish that will call it home, the cost of a quality protein skimmer seems like a small price to pay for peace of mind.

    The Bottom Line

    • When deciding whether to install a protein skimmer on your own saltwater tank, it is helpful to consider that it is much more difficult to tear a tank down and re-establish a nitrogen cycle than to start the tank off right from the beginning. A protein skimmer can be an inexpensive insurance policy for your new tank, helping to get your saltwater aquarium off to a good start and helping you avoid common problems.