[IceMan]

Originally Posted by REEFMASTER

Not to knock any "FISH STORE", these guys are in the business to sell. bottom line.
Now if you have a small fish store, that depends on your repeat business to survive day to day, these I trust a little bit more, but you must use your instincts, and of course ask alot of questions.
Some will tell you that if you have enough LR(Live Rock) and good flow you do not need a skimmer, I will have to disagree to the extreme. A skimmer is for more than just removal of waste, it also helps with the removal of gasses in the water. For example yor suface water in the tank holds all gases from livestock waste. If you turn off all your flow and let tank sit over nite, when the lite come back on in the morning, you will see a film at the surface-GASES. that is why most reefers have their surface water agitated by a power head I myself included. It pushes all the gases from tank down to skimmer which acts like a filter of sorts, removes waste and gases.
IMO YOU MUST HAVE A SKIMMER IF YOUR RUNNING A REEF TANK!

well said.