WTB: Skimmer for nano tank

[qckwzrd]

Time for me to get a skimmer, had my tank running for a few months already and been getting some expensive corals. Don't want to get anything else till I get a skimmer. I have a 15 gallon aga as a nano so I need a HOB skimmer...prefer a Remora or CPR bak-pak. Strong and not too big

 

[fritz]

Don't bother. On a 15 gallon tank, 5 gallon Water changes is all the skimmer you'll ever need. You'll get better results with frequent water changes than you will by skimming.

 

[1UCKY]

I certainly agree....I have a 24 Aquapod and was thinking of getting a skimmer myself but what for? My water parameters are all good!

 

[qckwzrd]

I test my water and my nitrates are high. I have a few suncorals that I target feed a lot as well as my dendros (I know they don't NEED target feeding) I try to do partial water changes everyweek but sometimes I can't. I figured a good skimmer would help me out some. I would still do water changes when I can tho. Also I don't have an RO system so I'm using tap water that I let sit for a week with tap water conditioner. I wanna remove the Emperor 400 I'm using and use a skimmer and powerheads...not a good idea?

 

[tripstank]

Throw away the emperor 400. Or at least take off the bio wheel. Keep your feeding LOW to the bare minimum. Keep up with your water changes like Fritz recommended and you should be dandy. How old is the tank and how much live rock/sand do you have? Do you have any type of macro algae?

 

[qckwzrd]

I'm going to start a thread "should I get a skimmer" I don't want the mods to close this thread. I still might be looking for a skimmer tho.

 

[basiab]

Add a small ball of chaeto and it will bring down your nitrates.

 

[fritz]

I'm not sure a skimmer would even help you much here. Your problem is:
Something is causing you to have high nitrates.

You want to address the problem not the symptom.

I'm guessing that you're overfeeding or perhaps not rinsing your frozen food well before you feed it. That is causing you to have high nitrates. Your best bet is to food only what your corals can consume and maybe not feed as often. Uneaten and decaying food is likely the cause of your nitrate issue or perhaps an overstocked tank.

A nice 5 gallon water change a day will cure your problem in the immediate although it will surely come back in time if you keep up the same behavior that got them high in the first place (what ever that was).

An Ro/Di is cheaper than buying distilled water and a great investment.

 

[qckwzrd]

Basiab: I'll be getting a aquafuge fri. I'll put some cheato in it thanx

Fritz: I rinse off my mysis shrimp then soak it in selcon for a few mins. I target feed my dendros, suncorals and ducan. I usually do 1-2 cubes about 2-3 times a week. I shut the filters off during feeding. Once I'm done I turn the powerheads on and then 30mins later the filter back on. I'm running two 30 gallon powerheads. By the time the filters on I don't see any mysis. The fish, shrimps, crabs and snails eats what's left. I think its the Emperor filter and me not keeping up with the water changes. I also got the API tap water filter wed.

 

[tripstank]

Sounds like you are on your way.

 

[FREEZE]

I've got a cpr bak pak if you want one. Sent PM.

 

[drperetz]

...

if u want i can tell u how to modify the "fision" nano skimmer for $30......
It willl produce a great amount of foam and u will be satisfied with the price and its job.......Not much maintaince required.

 

[Bob 1000]

You should get a calcium reactor and a doser for every element that corals take also.......Just kidding but someone had to say it...