Should I get a Skimmer?

[qckwzrd]

I was thinkin of getting a skimmer for my 15 gallon nano. I always have trouble with my nitrates and I try to do weekly water changes. I'm running a Emperor 400 (w/o bio wheels) and two aquaclear powerheads (301) I have about 20+ lbs of live rock and a 1" sandbed. I have 6 fish (panda goby, watchman goby, 2 other gobies and a wrasse) a couple shrimps, hermits and snails. As far as corals a variety of zoas/polyps, frogspawn, torch, shrooms/ rics, plate coral, chalice, dendros, suncorals and ducans. O and two dusters. I feed the suncorals about 3 X a week (mysis soaked in selcon, diced shrimp, squid and cyclops). If not investing in a skimmer should I get an RO or hang on fuge?

 

[yiliyang]

Yes!!!

 

[tripstank]

no!

 

[tripstank]

Water change water change water change. Get rid of the Emperor 404 and get a fuge with macro algae. Also, lower your feedings to the bare minimum.

 

[marki24]

Ok like mentioned before get rid of you the bio-wheel filter. Get yourself a good skimmer and continue to do regular H20 changes and you will see your nitrate go down with in no time. Also i am figuring you are using tap water since you are asking about reverse Osmosis filter. Its a must to have a Rodi and a skimmer for one of the first few steps in having a healthy tank.

 

[tripstank]

I agree, I would at the least use a DI unit. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes an affordable to quite effective unit. If you are going to use a RODI or either or, check your TDS after filtration to make sure you are getting out all the dissolved solids.

On a 15 gallon, the skimmer is a waste, I assure you. I have a 20L all SPS no skimmer.

 

[qckwzrd]

I'll invest in the API filter and get rid of the Emperor filter. So I guess the debate is really over whether or not I need a skimmer or fuge. I guess if I properly setup a fuge it will help with pod production, nitrates and phosphate.

 

[NYreefNoob]

skimmer

well i am in the process of getting to set my 24g ap, i am not going to run a skimmer on it. will fill the back compartment with caulerpo sp ? and lr. as well i am going to run a canister filter. i know this is what some say is a no no, but i dont mind changing filtration media out monthly. if you are every up towards peekskill i have the api filter you can have. it has the ends for it and i think i have the faucet adapter, if you print out from petsmart they match their online price's which will save you almost 1\2 on the media. remember there is always more way to run a tank than one. just my 2 cents

 

[qckwzrd]

well i am in the process of getting to set my 24g ap, i am not going to run a skimmer on it. will fill the back compartment with caulerpo sp ? and lr. as well i am going to run a canister filter. i know this is what some say is a no no, but i dont mind changing filtration media out monthly. if you are every up towards peekskill i have the api filter you can have. it has the ends for it and i think i have the faucet adapter, if you print out from petsmart they match their online price's which will save you almost 1\2 on the media. remember there is always more way to run a tank than one. just my 2 cents

Thanx NYreefNoob: I have a friend thats getting rid of one, I'm going to pick it up 2morrow I think I'm going to go with a HOB refugium. I think the combo of that and the API filter will help alot.

Thanx guys for your input, any other ideas are greatly appreciated

 

[marki24]

A skimmer is never a waste of $$ that is my opinion. NYreefnoob... you said you are going to change the filter media once a month. You could do that and see your phospate and nitrate level go up. you would need to do it more than once a month. Been there done dat.

 

[NYreefNoob]

skimmer

the back wall is a overflow, i have a rena 2 with 4 compartment's, and i know people same pads are nit trap's. they are and i agree, but if i use a change one pad a week, which keeps most good bac by keeping top layer's. and rotating down, i will have a pos effect, with better filtration. only going to have 2 fish. and zoa's. worse case i have to hook sump up i have or connect to my other sump. no corals will be harded in this :hug:. can always put in other tank

 

[qckwzrd]

I would have to say a skimmer isnt a waist of money (unless its a seaclone lol) I was going for what was more important in my case. I think the fuge and water filter is what will make my tank gorgeous!:knockedou

 

[marki24]

and a skimmer

 

[Subliminal]

I'd say no skimmer, also. Good water and some macro, and you should be set.

 

[tripstank]

No skimmer, no HOB filter, good macro and water changes! NO SKIMMER!

 

[autoponicz]

u can try one of those hang on fuge with skimmer........and have it skim dry.....a little skimming couldnt hurt....also u can disable it if wanted....
but still need weekly water changes with r/o water....and mostly bigger water changes would help.

 

[tripstank]

u can try one of those hang on fuge with skimmer........and have it skim dry.....a little skimming couldnt hurt....also u can disable it if wanted....
but still need weekly water changes with r/o water....and mostly bigger water changes would help.

Not a bad idea. I have never heard any feedback on the skimmers included with those units, but I am sure you can find out.

 

[Wes]

don't know how you can keep 6 fish well fed in a 15 gallon tank and not have nitrate problems