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32Bit_Fish

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I am looking for a mini size protein skimmer that is silent, maybe an air stone skimmer that I can stick it in my HOB refugium or in my HOB filter.

I appreciate any input.
 
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32Bit_Fish

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I wouldnt put which ever one you decide on in your fuge- You dont want anything that would disturb the pods and what not living in it, plus the discharge would probably disturb the sandbed as well.

There is no pods in my fuge for some reason. They are in my DT.
 

JimmyR1rider

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You sure? if theyre in your DT theyre everywhere most likely. Even if theres no pods in the fuge(whole reason for having a fuge- that and for algae to dentrify your water) the discharge from the skimmer would stir up the sand in it which isnt good either. But I do highly doubt that the fuge has none- you may have to shut the lights off for a while and look into the fuge with a magnifying glass to see but I bet theyre in there.
 
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32Bit_Fish

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You sure? if theyre in your DT theyre everywhere most likely. Even if theres no pods in the fuge(whole reason for having a fuge- that and for algae to dentrify your water) the discharge from the skimmer would stir up the sand in it which isnt good either. But I do highly doubt that the fuge has none- you may have to shut the lights off for a while and look into the fuge with a magnifying glass to see but I bet theyre in there.

I just want to add a skimmer to improve the water quality. I have a lot of tiny bubbles at the water surface which I'm not sure it is a good thing or not. Maybe I would try to get a skimmer small enough to put it in my Whisper HOB filter. Thanks for your input.
 

Keith P

Mr. No-Show
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Great Neck, NY
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I don't like sand in my refugium... Thats just me.

I think adding a skimmer will out weigh all the negatives that have been listed. The problem is that really small skimmers just aren't too effective. The 9002 may be one of the smallest skimmers that actually produces skimmate.
 
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32Bit_Fish

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No sweat why dont you just get a good HOB skimmer? put it next the your filter. Either way good luck with it.

This will add another powerhead into my tank background. A huge eyesore.

I may look more into air stone driven skimmers. There gotta be a way to do this.
 

beerfish

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You need to understand the way a skimmer works in order to fully understand why smaller skimmers don't really do much.

A skimmer pulls organics from the tank by getting them to adhere to the micro bubbles it creates. There are a few factors involved in efficient skimming, but some of the more important ones are bubble size, bubble count, and contact time.

Smaller bubbles more easily adhere to organics, and in large quantities, provide the surface area to do it well. However, in order for them to work effectively, the bubbles need as much time as possible in the water column. The time allows them to pick up as much gunk as possible on their way to the collection cup.

Most smaller skimmers can get a lot of tiny bubbles, but because of their size, can't get much contact time. Manufacturers have tried whirlwinds, long tubes, bubble plates, but it still comes down to physical size.

That said... I would consider ditching the Whisper, and getting a good HOB.
 
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32Bit_Fish

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That whisper HOB filter has been with me for several yrs. I'm attached to it. LOL... not really. I will consider the HOB protein skimmer such as a CPR one.
 

JimmyR1rider

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Beer I believe that if at all possible, have a sump to which you can fit a good skimmer that has a descently tall reaction chamber so the contact time is ample but if all hes got room for is a HOB thats all the room hes got. Id rather any of the HOB's than an airstone one such as the BS aceanic one that I had bought for my original tank-a 29G Biocube. I wish you luck with whatever you choose to get and I hope it works for you 32, but I still would not put on in the fuge.
 

beerfish

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Beer I believe that if at all possible, have a sump to which you can fit a good skimmer that has a descently tall reaction chamber so the contact time is ample but if all hes got room for is a HOB thats all the room hes got.

I agree. I was saying he should get a decent sized HOB rather than try to find a micro skimmer that would fit in the Whisper.
 

Rayzor

Experienced Reefer
Location
New York City
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Hey 32Bit....curious....im a newbie as well....and ive been on the same route as u....sorta....i just received my CPR Aeroforce, which is a HOB skimmer (apparently can be use in a sump/fuge as well which i dont have) i do mechanical and carbon in my whisper....considering removing the whisper because some say that it can cause a build up in trates....have few coral, blood shrimp x2, and 5 (store bought) snails....(some very tiny hitchhiker snails, assorted pods, astrea and brittle stars, etc.
I dont feed much (right now) but once i get fish in some weeks or mnths...i may need to be feeding much more....
Many have advised me here that i wouldnt need the whisper...but it feels strange to me (as a very, long time fresh water guy) not to have any mechanical filtration? so i get the " im attatched to it" feeling".
Wouldnt ur fuge do much of the mech. filtration...making the need for the Whisper mute? Is mech. filtration even necessary in a SW if ur using good or great quality lr and ls + skimming.....
Good thread....will be keeping up with.......:thrash:
 

JonnyIce

Used as bait
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I have the Tunze 9002 and it frustrated the skimmate out of me LOL... you really need it in a place where the water level rarely fluctuates...I've heard excellent things about it, but in the back of my Biocube its been a struggle!
 

Imbarrie

PADI Dive Inst
Location
New York
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Ever thought of a small sump? A 15 gallon tank would be enough and you could run a return and skimmer from the same return pump with a tee. Even add a reactor if you wanted. Best part is no unsightly added stuff.


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