surface skimmer ok on its own?

[MattW]

Is running just a surface skimmer in a cycled tank ok? I have both a skimmer and a filter running however my internal filter doesn't have a flow adjuster while my skimmer does. The filter is also quite powerful in my 60L which is an issue as its home to Asian rummynose who prefer slower-flowing water

Any advice? thanks

 

[MattW]

60L

 

[Byron]

The surface skimmer will likely not create any significant disturbance on the surface, just pull water in. So from the point of the gas exchange, of no real benefit. The filter return if it disturbs the surface will provide the exchange. I had surface skimmers some years ago and removed them because very small fish continued to get caught and not being able to "reverse engines" died. Skimmers are good (sort of) to deal with the protein film, but watch out for trapped fish.

As for the filter current and the fish, that is another issue and I can't offer much because I've no idea what it is like here.