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Coral Vue Hydros

Need some quick advice on what to spend $100 on...


OCNcheffy

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I currently have an IM Nuvo 16 with no skimmer or reactor. I have bags of carbon, purigen, and chemipure-elite inside the rear chambers. Then tank has been up and running for about 5 months now. I've recently sold some coral, which is why I now have $100 to spend on something, but I'm just unsure of what...

 

Option A:

IM Minimax reactor running GFO

 

Option B:

 

Aqua C Remora Nano HOB skimmer

 

I have an issue with some diatoms, but my strawberry conch takes care of it every night. I don't have any other problems with algae, so I assume my phosphates are relatively low (haven't tested). What do you recommend I spend these extra funds on? I know the skimmer will be more money, but do you think it would help more than the reactor?

 

Any input is appreciated!

 

 

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Cencalfishguy56

I currently have an IM Nuvo 16 with no skimmer or reactor. I have bags of carbon, purigen, and chemipure-elite inside the rear chambers. Then tank has been up and running for about 5 months now. I've recently sold some coral, which is why I now have $100 to spend on something, but I'm just unsure of what...

 

Option A:

 

IM Minimax reactor running GFO

 

Option B:

 

Aqua C Remora Nano HOB skimmer

 

I have an issue with some diatoms, but my strawberry conch takes care of it every night. I don't have any other problems with algae, so I assume my phosphates are relatively low (haven't tested). What do you recommend I spend these extra funds on? I know the skimmer will be more money, but do you think it would help more than the reactor?

 

Any input is appreciated!

 

 

I'm selling a used Aqua c remora nano HOB skimmer 3 months old, 90 shipped if you want it pm me, I'll bump my postings in classifieds

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What are you nitrates and phosphates at? I think a skimmer is usually more beneficial but many of these nano and hob skimmers aren't very effective anyway.

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What are you nitrates and phosphates at? I think a skimmer is usually more beneficial but many of these nano and hob skimmers aren't very effective anyway.

what makes you say that? my nano skimmer pulls tons of gunk out

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Nitrates and phosphates are currently at 0. Just tested today.

If that were true, it would be a very poor environment for coral growth. My guess is that your kits aren't low resolution tests. For example, API's phosphate test kit goes up in 0.25ppm increments; however, phosphate should be between 0.01 and 0.03ppm (so by the time it's detectable by that kit, it's about ten times higher than it should be). Here's a better phosphate test kit which goes up in 0.003ppm increments: http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Handheld-Colorimeter-Phosphorus/dp/B003UNK3I8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432626554&sr=8-1&keywords=Hanna+phosphorus (sure there is a margin of error, but it will give you a better understanding of the phosphate levels in your tank).

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what makes you say that? my nano skimmer pulls tons of gunk out

I've used a bh1000 and a sc 301 on previous tanks. Both skimmed but compared to a big boy skimmer it's not even close. The density and quantity of foam isn't in the same ballpark.

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If diatoms are the issue then I don't believe any of the two options listed above would help as diatoms feed on silicates to form their outer shell. To rid your tank of diatoms you will need to eliminate the source of silicates. Silicates are usually a result of new sand that has a high concetration of silicates or your source water. RO/DI will remove silicates from your source water. If you still have silicates even with the use of RO/DI perhaps the source water contains such a high concentration of silicates that the filter is is becoming ovwerwhelmed and reaching its life cycle a touch earlier that what is normally acceptable.

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I've used a bh1000 and a sc 301 on previous tanks. Both skimmed but compared to a big boy skimmer it's not even close. The density and quantity of foam isn't in the same ballpark.

that makes sense. But for those who have smaller tanks and dont have sumps I think the nanos sized one work just fine:)

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that makes sense. But for those who have smaller tanks and dont have sumps I think the nanos sized one work just fine:)

 

My point was that a reactor may be better than an inefficient skimmer depending on his nutrient problem.

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I would say get a skimmer, or save a little more and get both. The two little fishies reactor is a great reactor and way cheaper then the one you are looking at.

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I have a used Aqua C Remora Nano on the way! Hopefully it pulls some nasty skim from the water.. Excited to see how well this affects my tank since I've yet to ever run a skimmer.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

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Cencalfishguy56

I have a used Aqua C Remora Nano on the way! Hopefully it pulls some nasty skim from the water.. Excited to see how well this affects my tank since I've yet to ever run a skimmer.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

Now if we could get the Canadian border to approve damn it!

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