Skimmer

[njtiger24 aquariums]

So as I wait for my ICP test kit to come I been thinking of different things to try and get my tank back on track. I know many people love algae scubber and/or fug but I don't care for them. I tried setting up a fug and it didn't pan out well. I was thinking I might look into getting a skimmer that will fit in my HOB fuge (which is more or less a 'sump'. I seen some nice ones out there but before I look into purchasing one I was wondering thoughts from folks plus to see if anyone here has one.

My tank is a 36g with about a 5gal hob fuge. I was looking at:

• Tunze USA 9004.00 Doc
• Aquatic Life 115 Mini Internal skiimer
• Hydor USA slimskim internal skimmer

Now I been liking the look and the information on the Tunze but still open to suggestions. Also its not required to be in the hob but I would like it there.

 

[ecam]

i think the Tunze is your best bet. I loved it when it was on my biocube

 

[Sunny]

Get some chemipure and throw it in your HOB fuge. You do not need a skimmer. I have been running my 75 gallon for 18 months now with 2 HOB Aquaclear 110 filters and chemipure. Everything is very happy in there.

With the 40G size skimmer is an overkill IMHO.

 

[diana a]

don't know if the Reef Octopus classic 90 hob is too big for what you are looking for. I had it on my 90 gallon and now it is on my 60g. It does a great job

 

[DangerDave]

You do not need a skimmer, but I think a skimmer is an easy option for nutrient removal. I ran a algae scrubber for 10 or so years and it worked great. A skimmer gave me the same result on this build, but there is a lot less maintenance in my opinion. There are a ton of options for you...

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I do know I don't need a skimmer. Thanks for the other options guys. I will keep those in mind. First and foremost I need to get my ICP and see what that comes back as.

 

[Mrx7899x]

I had a Aquatic Life 115 Mini Internal skimmer and it worked good did the air line mod. But I'm with sunny a skimmer not going to do much for you. A water change will probably remove more nutrients than the small skimmer will. What are your nitrates and phosphates.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I had a Aquatic Life 115 Mini Internal skimmer and it worked good did the air line mod. But I'm with sunny a skimmer not going to do much for you. A water change will probably remove more nutrients than the small skimmer will. What are your nitrates and phosphates.

I have not tested for phosphate but im sure its high (just have not gotten the test for it yet). last time I check nitrates they were about 20ppm.

 

[Mrx7899x]

20 ppm nitrates is fine your phosphates might be high that might explain why you're having problems with some of your coral. I would try some phosguard in a bag in your hob fuge, it doesn't need to tumble like gfo does. If your phosphates come out high on your icp test.

 

[Mrx7899x]

I would pick up a phosphate test kit its a must have.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

20 ppm nitrates is fine your phosphates might be high

That is what I am thinking as well.

I would pick up a phosphate test kit its a must have.

I know I keep meaning to pick one up but keep over looking it. If the ICP test isn't way off (like to the point where I am just to break the tank down) I am going to pick one up

The reason I was thinking more skimmer over phosguard or chemipure is its a one time purchase where those might need to keep purchasing. Also I ran a skimmer, carbon, and gfo, on my 54 and those three things help keep that tank in line. Again not ruling out going chemipure or algae scrubber

 

[Mark_C]

I have a Ghost desktop, which I don't think is doing much at all, probably going to just remove it.

I'm doing a mini reactor from IM, carbon and phosban which I'm unsure of but seems to be doing well enough at water scrubbing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FCEV5F...t=&hvlocphy=9003976&hvtargid=pla-354598210005.

And I'm doing a hang on fuge, Finnex with Fugeray. I gave up on a large reactor for the ability of this thing to grow cheato and act (modified) as an algae reactor at the same time. I'm scraping algae and removing 50% cheato every 10 days. https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-External-Refugium-Breeder-Hang/dp/B00I8BREP2/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1523932846&sr=1-1&keywords=hang+on+fuge+with+led&th=1
This thing is seriously the best thing I've bought for cheato growth and phosphate control in all the time and all the tanks.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I have a Ghost desktop, which I don't think is doing much at all, probably going to just remove it.

I'm doing a mini reactor from IM, carbon and phosban which I'm unsure of but seems to be doing well enough at water scrubbing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FCEV5F...t=&hvlocphy=9003976&hvtargid=pla-354598210005.

And I'm doing a hang on fuge, Finnex with Fugeray. I gave up on a large reactor for the ability of this thing to grow cheato and act (modified) as an algae reactor at the same time. I'm scraping algae and removing 50% cheato every 10 days. https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-External-Refugium-Breeder-Hang/dp/B00I8BREP2/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1523932846&sr=1-1&keywords=hang+on+fuge+with+led&th=1
This thing is seriously the best thing I've bought for cheato growth and phosphate control in all the time and all the tanks.

Thanks for the input @Mark_C another thing to think about

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

It seems like my ICP test will be here today so I hope to get it sent out tomorrow

 

[mnat]

Have you thought of a hob skimmer?

 

[iTzJu]

I've used an HOB AquaC Remora Pro skimmer on a 40b with lots of success. Uses an older direct spray injection method to create micro-bubbles and louder than more modern skimmers but IMO performs better than most of the modern HOB.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

Have you thought of a hob skimmer?

I have thought about HOB skimmer my only concern is overflowing and going onto the floor (mainly when i'm not home most of the day) but I have not ruled them out

 

[diana a]

I have thought about HOB skimmer my only concern is overflowing and going onto the floor (mainly when i'm not home most of the day) but I have not ruled them out

Depending on which HOB you get it would have an overflow tube. Mine goes into a 5 gallon bucket under my stand.

 

[mnat]

I used the aqua c remora as well on multiple nanos and loved them. Never had a problem with overflowing. I would look into it.

 

[ecam]

I have a remora laying around you can play with.

It needs a pump