Two Unanswered Questions

[sandy]

1) I have a Skilter rather than a regular protein skimmer. I will buy a good protein skimmer as soon as possible. At one LFS I was told that unless I have a sump... any protein skimmer will blow bubbles in my tank.
Is this true?
What is wrong with bubbles? Except they bother the crap out of me and the darn thing is noisy.
2) I have two yellow-tail damsels in my tank. I've been posting here and in the Reef Discussion. These two (Tippy & Ripley) are both still pretty small, but they get along fine. In fact they are inseparable. They used to harass the cleaner shrimp, but do not seem to bother any one now. I understand that they get more aggressive as they get older -- is this why the suggestion is to "get rid" of damsels? Anyone here have success in KEEPING damsels? I'd hate to have adopted them, only to return them to the LFS to have them used for cycling then be gotten "rid of".

 

[almarktool]

sandy i am not 100% sure about the first question but alot of people use hang on skimmers and i highly doubt they do as far a syour damsels well they can become a pain in the rear end since as you add more fish they might chase after the new ones and stress them out causing a diesease out break i also had a damsel to cycle my tank and then he tore up a flame angel and a strawberry basslet i had to take all my rock work out to catch him and then got him his own little 10 gal tank so if u can get them out i would save you trouble later

 

[sinner's girl]

we had damsles with no problem. They were the only fish in the 25gl and they were cool in the 55gl until the Clown killed them. That's just my experiance. It depends on what fish you want in your tank in the future.

 

[sandy]

Thanks. There will be no new residents (fish).
I want a Flame Angel someday, but I think my tank is beyond capacity (considering growth). *If* my Purple Tang outgrows the tank, she will go to a good home and I'll consider the flame.
So since they have been sharing the tank, is it fairly certain that they will be okay with no new fish?
I have:
1 Purple Tang
2 Percula Clowns
2 Yellow-Tail Damsels
1 Yellow-Head Sleeper Goby
1 Scooter Blenny

 

[yardrat]

Sandy, they should have no problem in your tank with other fish.. I have 2- yellow tails, 1- four stripe, 1- yellow tang, 1- dragon goby, 2- clowns (1- percula & 1- maroon), 15 blue leg crabs, 1 emerald crab, and some anenomes.. everyone gets along great.. i did have a problem with our neon blue damsel and it got relocated to my wifes tank with a dog face puffer. good luck with yours

 

[fshhub]

the bubbles can be annoying, and can be a prob with salt creep(added problem), if you want to cut down on the bubbles, you can try putting a sponge filter in front of the retun, to break it up before it goes bak into the water, this may help
also, if possible placing it so the return empties in to the water, not above the water may help(if possible)

 

[moby da goby]

Sandy, I am currently using a Prizm skimmer for my 77 gallon tank. Some people have issues with the noise from them but since using it I have found that I only have to empty and clean it about once a week. I'm not running a sump either, just a fluval 404. Even when I've put food in I haven't had a problem with any overflow. The reason I went with the prizm was purely budget. Maintaining not only 3 tanks but 3 agility dogs and one significant other is hard enough

 

[saltyroni]

Sandy-
I have a 55G with ~4 damsels, 1 yellow tang, 4 percs, a maroon, a coral beauty, a mandrian, lots of live rick, a shrimp, two star fish, and a couple anenomes. I was told to buy a Skilter because I already have underground with 2 powerheads, 2 biowheels, etc. I bought it and it has been great!
The only problem with damsels occurs when they become territorial and agressive. Very common in the thre stripe and half-moon varities. GOOD LUCK THOUGH!

 

[tru conch]

IMO the yellow tails dont get as arggessive or as large compared to the domino, stripe and blue devil. if they arent causing any problems then dont worry about it.
you might want to check out the equipment and dyi for some modifications to the skilter to help with the air bubbles.

 

[starfishjackedme]

My domino rules, he's my fav little guy in there.

 

[thewolfman777]

i just bought a prizm skimmer and have no problems with it thus far. a lot of people say it is noisy but i have no noise problems with mine. if you take the cover off the collection cup, yes, it is a little noisy, but you will keep in on anyway. prizms though should only be used on smaller tanks, i would say 50 and under. the only thing that is a little bit of a pain is the constant adjusting you have to do, but it isnt all that bad, and I like that it is a hang on the back type skimmer. also i have no problems with air bubbles, if you do, adjusting the skimmer will take are of the problem.
I had 3 blue damsels and am now down to 1. he is the most agressive fish in my tank but is really not that bad. he just thinks he is "the man (woman)". i have had no serious problems with him yet, but yes he is a little agressive. would i cycle with damsels again? No.

 

[royce]

Sandy, I've had a yellow tail damsel for years and he is definitely the low man on the totem pole, he never bothers anybody.

 

[drkegel]

I had two yellow tails and they harrassed and killed pretty much anything I put in my 55. As soon as they were taken out, everyone was happy and my tank did well.