protein skimmers

Question
i am going to set up a large malawi freshwater fish tank. i was
wondering if using a protien skimmer in a freshwater tank will
remove enough waste so the Ammonia, Nitrite and  Nitrate levels
all remain stable. so i dont have to do  many water changes

please right back a.s.a.p. thank you !

Answer
Protein skimmers are rather expensive endeavors, and unless you are going to be maintaining a saltwater tank or a high maintenance brackish water community, I've found them to be more trouble than they are worth. Sadly, there is no substitute for a partial water change but there are things you can do to keep your tank fairly healthy if you need to go long periods without a change.

After your tank is established, your biggest enemy of course is the FISH WASTE, which is chock full of ammonia and other chemical baddies. Of course, your filter supplies will play the biggest part in taking care of this. Any decent canister filter for any tank 55 gallon or larger are especially recommended, my favorite inexpensive solutions are the Fluvals. They work decently, are reasonably priced, and have special inserts for thanks with different needs (there is even an ammonia sponge insert which is nifty, or it's easy to make one using your favorite bulk treatment and the toe of a ladies stocking!). You can also get the same with the AquaClears for smaller tanks. Check your activated carbon every few months. Carbon is one of the biggest filter agents in your filter set up, it helps keep the nitrate and nitrite levels low as well. Look into getting a catfish that is friendly to your desired community, they will help keep a handle on the rest of the waste. Drop by your local fish friendly pet store or freshwater fish and supply retailer for more filter inserts that are designed for special situations or special communities. It's getting easier and easier now to chemically maintain a tank with the right equipment.

Having improve aeration in the tank will also solve a lot of problems. The water that the filter doesn't move needs to be moved by strategically placed air stones or bubble walls. Not only will it keep your fish occupied, but it allows your good filter to do its job more efficiently. This will also decrease the need to constantly add buffer to the tank (which helps hold your pH)...and if your pH is stable, its certainly a big help in keeping everything else stable.

I hope this information helps you make a decision.