AquaRank.com

FishProfiles.com Message Forums

faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox
# FishProfiles.com Message Forums
L# Marine Aquaria
 L# Marine Setup
  L# Skimmers for nano tank
 Post Reply  New Topic
SubscribeSkimmers for nano tank
BGK
*****
-----
Enthusiast
Posts: 178
Kudos: 110
Votes: 0
Registered: 12-Jan-2003
hello,

I'm planning to get a skimmer for my nano tank because i have high live stock, and it seems my Nitrate level has been quite high even though i change 5% water every week.

I have a 10gal tank (AquaOne AR-380), 1 coral beauty, 1 percula clown, and various soft corals.

the height of the tank is about 20", and i put it on my desk. I want to know what type of Protein skimmer will be suitable for it. Preferably cheap and quiet but sufficient for a 10gal.

hopefully you can give me some brand names so i can go on the net and see which one you are talking about.

thanks
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile MSN PM Edit Report 
ACIDRAIN
 
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 3162
Kudos: 1381
Votes: 416
Registered: 14-Jan-2002
male usa us-ohio
For that size tank, there is really no small one that will not overpower that size tank, except maybe one. The "Skilter", which is a filter and skimmer in one. I used one on a ten gallon many years ago, and it actually did an OK job.

The biggest suggestion I can make to you though, is larger water changes. You should change about 25% water per week. This will drastically lower and keep your nitrates lowered. You have quite a bio load in that tank, and IMO this is the better/best way to keep the nitrates under control.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
kamikaze76
*********
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 63
Kudos: 62
Votes: 69
Registered: 24-Aug-2004
male usa
Some suggestions that come to mind, do 10% water changes a week (25% I think would be too much); maybe add some caulerpa since you have a large bio-load, as this will help with the nutrient export, but may hurt the coral growth; lastly consider the Prizm Protein Skimmer, which I read does fine for a nano (although a bit expensive for a nano, in my opinion).

John
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
ACIDRAIN
 
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 3162
Kudos: 1381
Votes: 416
Registered: 14-Jan-2002
male usa us-ohio
If you can make the Prism work, It is a much better skimmer. But, it will take up the whole side of a 10 gal tank, and thus you will not have much room to run any kind of other filter, less a canister. And, you will have two intake tubes in the tank. As for the water changes, in that small of a tank, you would be wise to change more than less. As the build up of anything will be quicker, due to the small size of the tank.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
BGK
*****
-----
Enthusiast
Posts: 178
Kudos: 110
Votes: 0
Registered: 12-Jan-2003
thank you guys,

i will try more water changes for the next few weeks and see if it solves my problem.
I see those Prism skimmers are really expensive, i don;t think i will ever get those ones for my nano, but hopefully i wouldn;t need a skimmer if more water changes can help.

thanks again
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
Week End
**********
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 414
Kudos: 436
Votes: 1
Registered: 16-May-2004
male australia
just do 20-25 % change weekly, I have a FOWLR in an AR126...and water change is all I do to keep nitrate down
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
JMT1SOMR
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 302
Kudos: 192
Votes: 0
Registered: 18-Oct-2001
male usa
Skilters are terrible. Caulepera is toxic. And Prizms are a poor coice for the money.

Buy an Aqua C Remora. They do wonders.

I'd also consider removing the Coral Beauty.

Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
ACIDRAIN
 
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 3162
Kudos: 1381
Votes: 416
Registered: 14-Jan-2002
male usa us-ohio
First off, he already stated that the prizm was to expensive for him, and you post about a skimmer that is twice the cost of the Prizm. And, the Aqua C Remora is a great product, but is much too large for a small tank as is in question here. As well, the pump will take up a large area of the tank in question here.

Just stick with the water changes, and you should be fine.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
JMT1SOMR
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 302
Kudos: 192
Votes: 0
Registered: 18-Oct-2001
male usa
A used Aqua C can be picked up cheaper than a Prizm.

Look for an Air-Driven skimmer like a Coralife Super Skimmer 1 or a Lee's Size Small.

Here's a pic if the Coralife Super Skimmer 1 (on a 10ga).

http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=12054&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

They run less than $20. You will need an air-pump as well.

While I'm not the "authority" on nano-reefs, and nothing is ever set in stone, I have kept nanos from .4ga to 16ga. And many in between. I spend more time reading about them than actually keep them as well. I feel I have sufficient knowledge to pass along to others.

But, I suppose a 150w DE MH, an MJ1200, and what will probabaly be the Remora on a 12" Cube (7.5ga) is too much? Nah...

I primarily spend my time on nano-reef.com as "jmt". If you'd like to check there you'll probabaly find more useful info geared towards nanos.



Last edited by jmt1somr at 22-Nov-2004 18:23
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
bjk
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 149
Kudos: 71
Votes: 0
Registered: 09-Oct-2003
male usa
jmt knows his nanos, He is one of the greatly honored nano-keepers on nano-reef.com
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FantomFish
********
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 120
Kudos: 183
Votes: 1
Registered: 30-Jan-2004
male usa
I heard Aqua-C is coming out with a Nano sized remora. You may want to look up on that.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile ICQ AIM MSN Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
Post Reply  New Topic
Jump to: 

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies