Good idea to add this skimmer or any skimmer?

[davidinnes]

I currently have what they called a surface skimmer. It just hooks into the intake of my existing external filter and draws off the surface water. Am thinking of adding this:

 

https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/aquaticlife-internal-mini-protein-skimmer-115/

 

My tank is 7.5g

 

[Arkayology]

How many fish do you have? How often do you do water changes? Why do you need a skimmer? IME, doing weekly water changes on a tank that size is enough. Not to mention I have found a lot of those nano type skimmers to not really to work well.

[davidinnes]

I have the one small yellow clown Goby. Water changes once a week about 20%. I didn't think I needed one either until I read a nano beginner's guide to setup, he was adamant that a skimmer was a must.

 

If I get very little response in favor per your post I won't bother with it.

 

Thx

[Droy008]

From what I've gathered, that skimmer isn't very productive.

 

Also with your stocking and 20% wc a week you don't necessarily need one.

 

A skimmer gives you more wiggle room for bio-load, and feeding. It pulls "most" of that junk out before it can become a problem for water quality.

 

I would hold off and do some more research, that way you'll understand why your particular tank might or might not need one.

 

Also if you decide you do need one. look into the eshopps nano skimmer or the coral box s150, both are world's better, and don't cost much more.

[davidinnes]

Thx I'll do that. The only reason I consider the skimmer is I do not believe you can over filter, and if it added even a 5% improvement in water quality it's worth it to me.

[ajmckay]

Note a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer are 2 different things... Surface skimmers are awesome and I would definitely recommend that anyone implement some type of surface skimming if they can, and use it in conjunction with mechanical filtration. Surface skimming keeps the gunk from forming on the top of the water. Protein skimmers on the other hand work by pulling dissolved organics from the water through foam fractionation.

Skimmers on sub 20g tanks are pretty rare... Usually because the associated eyesore isn't worth the slight benefits provided.

As stated it's usually just easier (and equally or even more effective) to do larger water changes on small tanks. In other words for tanks less than 10g it's just as easy to do a 5g water change as it is a 2g water change and that additional % increase in water being changed is going to be more efficient than adding a skimmer.

By no means will a skimmer do any harm - it will likely pull some skimmate and the increased oxygenation is nice but it comes at the cost of additional noise, power consumption, and equipment in the tank.

[Clown79]

I wouldn't bother on a small tank.

 

If you are diligent with your waterchanges, skimmers aren't necessary.

 

I used to use the same type of surface skimmer but the look annoyed me and it broke.

 

I switched to the Api Superclean hob which has a surface skimmer. Works great.

[dandelion]

I just bought this skimmer for my new Fluval Evo 13.5. Tank is not running yet because I'm still curing the rocks. One reason I got it was that there are some additives that require a skimmer to dose. Second was my gift card was expiring and I didn't have anything else I needed.

 

I currently have what they called a surface skimmer. It just hooks into the intake of my existing external filter and draws off the surface water. Am thinking of adding this:

 

https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/aquaticlife-internal-mini-protein-skimmer-115/

 

My tank is 7.5g

 

[davidinnes]

Thx everyone for your input I am the wiser for it.

 

I've decided I'll only get one if it's external and the ones I've looked at so far don't impress me. I'll keep looking until I find just what I want or I'll just abandon the idea.

[Scorched]

I dont think you'd see much benefit. I've been skimmerless for almost 5 years and have 5x as many fish.

 

Just looking at your tank photo I'd say just keep up with the water changes and manual removal of algae. Blast the cyano, disturb the sand and try to suck it out when you do water changes.

 

After a few months your tanks parameters will stabilize and you'll find that you can get by with very little equipment and routine maintenance.

[nanonan]

I think you need a minimum of 20G+ for a skimmer to be effective.

Like everyone said, water change is sufficient. The less the better.

[spectra]

I agree no skimmer on that small of a tank. I have a 10 and no skimmer. Ran a 20 with no skimmer also. Just keep up on water changes and all should be good.

[Tmr8188]

I know I am late to this but I had this to add: no nano skimmer going to pull the quality skimate of a true in sump skimmer. You're literally better off investing in a nice bucket. Try a diy air stone skimmer if you insist on trying it.

 

Thx I'll do that. The only reason I consider the skimmer is I do not believe you can over filter, and if it added even a 5% improvement in water quality it's worth it to me.

Incorrect. In a reef it is entirely possible to over filter and basically starve non fish to death.

[davidinnes]

Majority rules (Everyone lol), no skimmer

 

This is why I frequent forums such as this, always no matter the subject, been very helpful. IMO this is where you find the true experts, not so much in manuals and books.

 

Thx all