29BCube Skimmer

[azkid]

I was researching through many posts, and by the way, I can't thank every enough for great information. Is buying the Sapphire Aquatics BioCube29 Skimmer well worth the $145 investment for better water quality? From my research Skimmers greatly increase water quality, but they are rather costly. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[sazarac]

From what research I've done it's the only one (so far) that fits the Biocube inside the middle chamber and with the lid on. Others would have to hang on the back or sit inside the display area. I've also read some skimmers are pretty noisy.
When I bought my Biocube 29, I was told it did not need a protein skimmer. But then I've read any aquarium, salt or fresh should have one. (shrug) I planned on getting one, but talked myself out of it.
There has to be someone out there using it. I would be interested in the answer myself.
Saz

 

[supermotocrazy]

I put a priszm hang on on the back of mine and it made a world of difference. Pulls alot of crap out of the water. All I had to go was cut two slots in the back of my hood and extend the suction tube and am good to go. I just bought one for my wife on another site for $76. No bubbles and works great!!!!!

 

[mfp1016]

I honestly don't think nano's require them. I myself do a weekly water change of 7 gallons. Running a skimmer for a week might take out a quart or half gallon of skimmate. My logic is that the 7 gallons I take out probably has at least a half gallon worth of skimmate in it, therefore a skimmer would only aid. But, with my 7 gal water change on a 29 gal tank, I always have perfect readings, so I think I've proven that nano's do not require a skimmer, just consistent water changes. Also, it takes no time to change 7 gal of water, maybe 60 seconds to take 7 gallons out, and 60 seconds to pout 7 gallons in. Besides, you have to do water changes anyway......
I prefer to use my middle chamber as a refugium with chaeto and LR rubble. Also, a 9w Coralife UV sterilizer fits perfectly on top of the 2nd and third chambers without modifying the lid. The UV costs 75 + 15 for a powerhead to drive it. I turn it off when I feed DTs live phyto and turn on the next day.

 

[perfectdark]

If you are considering a skimmer to lower your nitrates a cheaper alternative would be to add some plants to your DT and or as mfp suggested turning your rear chamber into a refuge, adding chateo and a small daylight bulb. I am currently in the process of doing just that to mine.

 

[reefernana]

I have a 29g biocube, too, and I don't have a skimmer. I do 3-4g water changes weekly and I split my return into 2 and have them pointing up to the surface for agitation. I have a MJ900 PH hidden behind the rocks for a mid flow. My mid chamber is set-up like a sump and I am awaiting an order of chaeto from renogaw that I'm going to put in a basket behind the rocks in the tank. My water params are great, my nitrates went up to 5 since I started feeding cyclopeeze to my tank for my sun coral and my modern brain to get them open for mysis. I figured the chaeto should help that. I have a very large CUC otherwise that has always kept things (extra food, fish waste) cleaned up. I just feel like with this small of a tank that a skimmer is a little overkill.