Skimmer without a sump?!

[JC8390]

I have a 20Long. I had a coralife super skimmer 65. It was way too big on the tank, the pump took up too much room inside and it gets horrible reviews anyway so I sold it and its history.

 

With that said... what skimmer can I run on my 20 that will pull out some gunk and doesn't look huge on the tank. Like the title says, Im not running a sump so It needs to hang on the back.

 

Any help is appreciated. I did run a search but some of the threads were so old the models were discontinued so I thought I would start a new thread.

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

[pntbll687]

Do you have enough things in the tank to warrant a skimmer? Water changes should be enough. I had run an eshopps skimmer for a while, it was ok, nothing special. You could even run the skimmer used for a biocube 29, it could be neatly put in a corner and out of the way.

[rfalk]

AquaMaxx HOB-1 would probably work well. But you don't really need a skimmer on a tank that small just do water changes.

[JC8390]

Well right now I have 2 green chromis and 1 clown + 5 hermits. I would like to add 1-2 more fish, and a coral banded shrimp. Then soft corals.

[mystersyster]

I disagree. In my opinion skimmers are a critical piece of equipment. I had a 20 gallon without a skimmer. A single instance of a fish or large snail dying can easily pollute the tank. If you can afford a skimmer, I would advise getting one.

[tetraodon]

your best bet is a HOB skimmer, they sit outside of the tank with just the intake and output inside. there some reef octopus skimmers that are HOB, though i cant speak for how well they skim,

[Gooburz]

I have a Eshopps PSK-100 and it is a HOB skimmer and the thing is a work horse and very quiet. I've had it on my tank for awhile now and what a difference it makes! Researched a lot of HOB skimmers and liked the reviews on this one the most. Sad to say I'll be getting rid of it in a couple of weeks because I'm upgrading to a Deep Blue 80 breeder and it just wouldn't be enough of a skimmer plus I'll be running a sump.

 

Look at my sig link and you'll see it on my tank, VERY easy to clean too.

[dandelion]

I have a Remora Pro for my 29G that I purchased 2nd hand from a reefer that's moving out of the state. Only cost me 60 bucks and it's a good skimmer! Only thing I don't like is the pump sits in the tank.

[Nanofreak79]

JNS hob skimmer, great skimmer and high quality.

[JC8390]

I should have specified... looking for something where the pump doesn't go in the water....and ideally something pretty small itself.

I decided that the Chromis were devil fish... so they went back to the LFS. The Ocellaris is going to have the 20 all to himself. So maybe I can get away without one lol.

[rfalk]

AquaMaxx HOB-1 doesnt have the pump in the tank. If you start to get to small there isnt enough surface area for the skimmer to really be effective. If you keep up with water changes you will not need a skimmer for 1 fish.

[JC8390]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife_BioCube_Protein_Skimmer_Accessories_for_Aquariums-Coralife-OA82053-FIAQAA-vi.html

 

Is this worth having? lol

[rfalk]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife_BioCube_Protein_Skimmer_Accessories_for_Aquariums-Coralife-OA82053-FIAQAA-vi.html

 

Is this worth having? lol

I have used one in the past with a biocube but its going to have to sit inside your tank and is pretty ugly. Really should only be used with all in one tanks that cant fit anything better.

[ajmckay]

So it's completely doable to have a very successful tank without a skimmer.

 

That being said - the waste has to go somewhere. You should do water changes regardless of having a skimmer or not to replenish trace elements and minerals.

 

Decide how much crap you can accept. If you just want to do water changes you'll need to decide (you'll figure it out over time based on how quickly crap accumulates on the glass/rocks) how often and how large. You'll have to still do that with a skimmer but it does reduce the need some and gives you some cushion for maintenance or if something goes wrong.

 

Granted a skimmer introduces it's own issues such as a hit to the appearance of the tank, possible micro bubbles, possible risk of overflow, and emptying the skimmer cup regularly.

[Shewillbemine]

I have a prediction for you that applies to most of the hobbyists here.

 

You are bound for a bigger tank, probably one with a sump. So consider this: instead of looking for a "just right" mini-skimmer for your tank, think about upgrading to a tank with a sump and all the other equipment you'll want (not need) for it. Think about it.