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Nano skimmers

Ive been thinking about getting one for a long time for my 20 but ive never pulled the trigger because some people say its worthless in small systems. Im not looking for a escape from weekly water changes, i understand the need for weekly changes and how important they are in nanos but wouldnt having a skimmer on inbetween those weekly changes help, especially if i feed my corals/fish heavily? I barely have sps so im not trying to keep the cleanest tank but i figured it could be benficial to run one. Ive read on several forums saying that a skimmer cannot funtion "properly" due to the low volume of water. Pretty much just looking for someone to explain and help me decide if i should get one or not.
 

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Justin, you’ve been to my house and have seen the JBJ28 I have that only has two small anemones and a big mother-A Mexican Turbo snail. The only feeding I do is every couple months I might give the anemones a small piece of scallop or fish. I’m running a Tunze 9002 skimmer (real dry) and you wouldn’t believe the black goop I take out of the water. So does a skimmer work in small volumes of water…..YES!

Maybe it is because I started as a big tank person first, but I can’t see myself running a tank without a skimmer.
 
Thanks for the reply Paul. Ive just been reading along on other forums and i cant seem to get a clear answer as to whether its worth it to have one on a nano. I probably wont get one right away since i dont have any fish in it at the moment so my only feeding is for my lps , but i was actually looking at getting that tunze nano that you have.
 
Glad to hear you are liking the skimmer Paul! That thing was a monster for how small it was, it was hard letting it go haha. I would second the recommendation of the 9002, I currently have the 9004 and have been very happy with that one as well.
 
I'm with Paul.

I have run 20g tanks in the past, and I had the best luck with a HOB skimmer. We used the Aqua-C Remora.

We run our 12g without a simmer, but that is because we can't find a good one that will fit inside of the 12g JBJ.
 
I'm with Paul.

I have run 20g tanks in the past, and I had the best luck with a HOB skimmer. We used the Aqua-C Remora.

We run our 12g without a simmer, but that is because we can't find a good one that will fit inside of the 12g JBJ.

I also run a Remora on my 40 pillar. Pulls quite a bit of gunk out and I'm faithful with my 15% weekly water changes.
 
Im considering the tunze 9002, looks like the skimmer cup is kinda big from looking at youtube vids so ill have to see how much it sticks out since its going in my DT.
 

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Justin, you are more than welcome to stop by and see the 9002 up close and personal. I too have it in the DT. I could have put it in the back center chamber, but I would have had to sacrifice the media baskets and cut the magnet holder off the skimmer for it to fit. So I’ve mounted it on the back wall of the tank (actually the side wall holds the magnet).

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The collection cup actually measures 3 ¾ inches in diameter, so it is pretty big. However, There is available a smaller cup to fit with JBJ type AIO tanks with the canopy still on. HERE is an example offered on Amazon.
 
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