ecosystem

[kui loach]

I have a 60 gallon tank with a ecosystem. It is an established tank of 1 1/2 yrs. I have never purchased a protein skimmer and the tank is doing fine. What does a protein skimmer do that the ecosystem doesn't do? I have had conflicting reports from different people. Some say that I definitely need a protein skimmer. Others say I definitely don't need a protein skimmer and they show me their tanks that have not needed a h20 change in 10 mths and their tanks are doing beautifully. I am confused.

[jojo22]

Can we get a link to the "ecosystem" you are useing. Water changes should not go 10 months, but depending on what corals you keep, like if it's a softy tank, with mostly shrooms and stuff you COULD get away with it maybe. But if you try that in an SPS system you are going to lose a BUTT LOAD of monay.

[melev]

I have a 60 gallon tank with a ecosystem. It is an established tank of 1 1/2 yrs. I have never purchased a protein skimmer and the tank is doing fine.

If your tank is doing fine, I wouldn't change a thing. Protein skimmers remove disolved organic compounds from the water before they can break down and create ammonia-nitrite-nitrate. It is an ongoing export system.

Many Eco-Systems come with protein skimmers now. Years ago they were advertised as perfect as they were and that no skimmer was required. Eco-Systems feels very strongly about their Miracle Mud substrate.

[kui loach]

You can access info at ecosystemaquarium.com. It says to do a h20 change of 5-10% every month.