Skimmer vs media reactor

[Draco]

I am still kind of a newbie when it comes to equipment.

 

I have a 29 gal jbj cube. Right now I have a nano protein skimmer which is unreliable.

 

I am thinking about getting a mini max media reactor. I am sure I can't keep both skimmer and reactor due to space issues- it would be one or the other.

 

Pros and cons of each?

 

I am looking for something to help reduce and keep in check of nitrates and phosphates and such

[VW_TDI_02]

Well the two function in two completely different ways. First, what kind of skimmer do you have? Getting a quality skimmer will be cheaper in the long run since you don't have to refill it monthly like with a GFO/Carbon reactor. The good thing about a skimmer is that it physically pulls gunk out off the water. A reactor on the other hand, waits for that gunk to break down and then the media traps those nutrients until the media needs to be replaced. If I had to pick between the two, I would go with a quality skimmer for simplicity.

[Draco]

thanks for the advice! The skimmer pump is unrealiable. I may have to look around for another

[seabass]

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish, your water parameters, and your maintenance schedule. A skimmer will remove organics from the water (before they are broken down into nitrate). A media reactor is an efficient way to run chemical media (activated carbon will adsorb organics, while GFO will bind phosphate). If you have a phosphate problem, a media reactor might be preferable. If you just want to improve water quality by removing organics, a skimmer could be the way to go.

[VW_TDI_02]

thanks for the advice! The skimmer pump is unrealiable. I may have to look around for another

Which protein skimmer is it? There should be a lot of people who can give some recommendations for a new skimmer that will fit in your tank.

[JR!]

tunze 9001's fit just fine. i think the new jns ws1 fits as well.

[Draco]

I can't find the name of the skimmer, but it's this one:

 

 

the top comes off easily, especially when I open the lid of my JBJ nano cube. The plug is very lose and comes out, no matter how much I bend the prongs. the pump comes and goes too.. and this thing is only 6 months old.

 

If someone has suggestions on a good skimmer for my cube that would fit in the back chamber, especially when opening the lid, that'd be great.

 

I just want a way to help reduce phosphate and nitrates, as well as maintaining.

 

Can I put carbon in a stocking or something and stick it in the chamber to help with the maintaining as well?

[VW_TDI_02]

If you're worried about the plug, you can always just cut it off and install a new one. It's a really install. If you want to reduce phosphates and nitrates then I would go with GFO. You can easily put carbon and GFO in socks and they will work. The GFO works better in a reactor since it won't get compacted that way but it will still work.

[seabass]

When I don't have a reactor, I like to use PhosGuard to remove excess phosphate. Excess nitrate can usually be exported with weekly water changes.

[Draco]

Thanks everyone!!

[waveland]

I have a Tunze 9001 on my IM30L and LOVE it. It's super quiet and creates great dark skim. I do think the key to its success though is to have an ATO to keep the water at a constant level.

 

Good Luck!

[moy71]

i have both in my 25g cube.

 

the Tunze 9001, rated for up to 37g i think. which i have had for only 1 week. the micro-bubbles are only just 1-2 days ago starting to disappear (i expected the bubbles during the breakin period).

 

the reef octopus media reactor mf300b. i have about 60ml of seachem phosphate pellets in there. i've had that for 3 days only. this device hangs on the back.

 

i had issues with my phosphate levels: more than 1ppm when nothing was used. 0.36ppm when i used phos-zorb, 0.16ppm now with the reef octopus. my target is 0.03ppm and lower.

[Draco]

thanks all,

 

I got the only nano skimmer my LFS had- the Coral Life Protein Skimmer. I figured for now, I'll give that a shot before going crazy finding the ones suggested above, lol.

 

I got the GFO and Carb, and added it to my tank. lets hope to see some progress!