Protien skimmers??

[deftones]

Thinking of getting one for my 55gal reef. few questions. will it get rid of the "poo" on the sand in a few places and latly iv had stuff floating at the top of the water will it removed this and keep the water cleare? well just what are the pros of a skimmer and what is a good one at a good price.

 

[scubapro]

Check with aquariumpros.com to price it out, then talk to your lfs to see if they can compete. Usually they will match prices, plus no shipping or wait. In my opinion, they are a necessary part of providing your fish with a pure environment in which they will thrive. They seem to remove most of the "poo" as well.

 

[kris walker]

I think it is the opinion of most on this board that a skimmer is an essential piece of equipment. I have a cheap one made by Lee's ($30) and it works wonders (it also requires an airstone). If you get one, make sure it is suited for the size of your tank (it usually says on the box). Prices range considerably depending on how complicated it is, and whether or not it is a domestic product.
sam

 

[deftones]

This may be a dumb question but im going to ask. like how do they work? im reading all this ---- i have no idea what it means. i know you dont want air bubles in tank and the ones im reading get rid of air bubles returning to the tank. then i read creates and exlet vortex,gate vulve,skimmer cup,20PPI spong,diffuser box,double or triple bypass, and crap like that im a newbie sorta, i just dont know crap about skimmers help me plz =) thanks

 

[adrian]

A skimmer works by mixing tiny air bubbles with water, when this happens hydrophobis organics will stick to thses bubbles which will then be forced into the collection cup forming a fould smelling skimmate. Nutrient export is a must, and a skimmer is the most common pice of ewuipment to deal with excess nutrients. Refugiums, water changes, and activated carbon are otehr methods use dto control nutrient export. A combanation of two or more of these works well for most tanks. There are a ton of skimmers out there, I started out with the Lee's counter current skimmer, worked well for me also, but was a pain to keep running with a rapid evaporation rate. A skimmer is one of those things you dont want to skimp on, for a 55 I would suggest a berlin class HO, or a remora pro. Is you have a sump you have wider variety of skimmers to choose from, you could consider a down draft or a larger venturi. Counter currents work well, if properly adjusted. Stay away from new and old sea clones, they do not provide enough air/water contact and work are only big enough fo tanks up to 30 gallons, and even on smaller tanks the skimmate produced is poor. HTH

 

[deftones]

Thanks for all the help on my way to the lfs to see what they got. thanks again

 

[deftones]

OK, my lfs owner said i didnt need a protien skimmer, i ask "why not?" he said "you dont need one with your filter" i have a mudfilter the hang on kind. i just thinking to myself i never see that thing pull the crap out of the water that i see the skimmer take out. So who is right and would it be best to add a skimmer??

 

[ironreef]

If you don't have hair alga ,cyano high nitrate I would leave it. if so you may want one. remeber if the lfs doesn't want to sell you some $$ equipment maybe they are right??? Its when they want to $ell you stuff i would think HMMM... Mud filter= caulerpa?? caulerpa if the filter not the mud. The caulerpa will filter the tank. You may want to add carbon now and then
[ November 03, 2001: Message edited by: Ironreef ]

 

[tomato clown]

I kinda have the same questions Deftone, i come here and read all these great things about skimmers and yet my lfs says it isn't a needed item. In the future when I go with a larger tank I will get one but for the past 7 months I haven't had 1 (thinkin this is why some of my livestock died off and I have some algea now) but I also let my water tests go for a while (bad me!)
Anyway to make a long story short get one even if it is only a $30 skimmer it could prevent you from any mishaps.

 

[deftones]

ya caulerpa is in the filter then at the bottom there is some mud, and on one side are the bio balls... but i bet you know that so would the skimmer help or just leave it along and why add carbon and how often(remember im a newbie and still learing alot) what would it do.. also i have had crabs die, sally lightfoot crab die, the crab moleted then a few days later it died, my horse shoe crab died, my bubble died but i think it was from lack of feeding by my mother, just odd stuff dieding off in like a day no sings, and a really healthy sailfin tang died i dont know just looking for options on helping the water be as clean as posible. thanks again for the help

 

[@knight]

a skimmer is a good idea, it removes organics and oxygenates the water. dont waste your money on a cheap skimmer though. Its more expensive in the long run when you realize it isnt doing anything and you have just wasted your money.

 

[ironreef]

a skimmer isn't needed if you have an alga tank. carbon monthly will help...if needed. Extra powerheads will add more o2 into the tank. But skimming can make it easier. How old is the tank? add any additives? Sometime to much causes crustations to molt. PPL use to say iodide helps them to molt but now they say they molt to rid too much iodide. But fwiw I would add anything except cal,buffer when needed. If you feed good and do regular w/c thats enough for trace IME. Skimmer aren't a must if you use caulerpa filter. Sounds like you have the ecosystem setup. Most ppl claim no need for a skimmer. FWIW i use a bullet 2 skimmer on my tank and have a alga tank refugium.

 

[got krabs]

Think of this: when you take a shower tonight, save the water for tomarrows bath!Is that sick or what? now think about when you scrap the algae off the glass and it just stays in the tank.With a skimmer it would be removed.
I wouldn't be without one thats for sure.I have a berlin turbo and I'm getting a hang on for my 125

 

[ironreef]

Think of this plants can take sewer water and filter them to almost potable water. Caulerpa will filter your tank. it will remove almost the same as a skimmer. I just use a skimmer for the extra. theres thousands of skimmerless tanks that grow healty coral. I belive in skimming but i belive it isn't a must also

 

[the croc hunter]

My theory is that no matter how big your tank is.. its much smaller that the ocean.. so filter filter filter........ even if you deam it "unnescessary"

 

[kris walker]

It seems to me that either Caulerpa or skimming is a fine solution. One absorbs undesirables at the beginning of the nitrogen cycle (skimmer), while the other absorbs at the end (Caulerpa). This is perhaps simplified, but I think generally correct.
sam

 

[adrian]

If you use a skimmer during the first phases of the cycle, it wil only prolong it. It is generally suggested to avoid skimming for the first month. Both skimmers and refugiums accompish about the same thing, they are a method of exporting nutrients, they both have their pros and cons, but one or the other is needed.

 

[kris walker]

oops, my use of "cycle" was misinterpreted. I was talking about the generic nitrogen cycle that is established in ones tank. Not the first "cycle" of establishing a bacteria colony. Sorry about that.
sam

 

[joetst2]

I have always been a big fan of over filtration. I wouldn't even consider being without a skimmer.....even with a refugium. But that's just me. If you have the money I would invest about $150-$200 for a nice little insurance policy (aka skimmer) I personally have an AquaC EV-150 for my 125 gallon reef tank and it works very well.

 

[lion-fish]

For youre tank I would get a PM Hot-1 skimmer, I use it on my 46gal and it is fantastic, cya.