FishProfiles.com Message Forums |
faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox |
Skimmers 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 |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002 | 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... |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
kamikaze76 Hobbyist Posts: 63 Kudos: 62 Votes: 69 Registered: 24-Aug-2004 | 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 |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002 | 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... |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
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 |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
Week End Big Fish Posts: 414 Kudos: 436 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-May-2004 | just do 20-25 % change weekly, I have a FOWLR in an AR126...and water change is all I do to keep nitrate down |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
JMT1SOMR Big Fish Posts: 302 Kudos: 192 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Oct-2001 | 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. |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002 | 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... |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
JMT1SOMR Big Fish Posts: 302 Kudos: 192 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Oct-2001 | 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 |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
bjk Hobbyist Posts: 149 Kudos: 71 Votes: 0 Registered: 09-Oct-2003 | jmt knows his nanos, He is one of the greatly honored nano-keepers on nano-reef.com |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
FantomFish Hobbyist Posts: 120 Kudos: 183 Votes: 1 Registered: 30-Jan-2004 | I heard Aqua-C is coming out with a Nano sized remora. You may want to look up on that. |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 |
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