Boomerblaster Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hey everyone, I have been wondering about a skimmer for my tank for quite some time. I know that the Remoras are considered to be one of the best. Now i finally have enough money to buy one of these. It is the hang on the back line. And it runs for about 160$ with a rio. I still find it hard to drop THAT much money on a skimmer. I know some say that it is necessary and others do not. I am just beginning to stock corals in my 20 gallon high aquarium. Should i invest the money? Or should i settle for a cheaper skimmer? I do not have a sump, and at the moment i am only running a HOB filter. Thanks, i really could use some decent advice. And if anyone has this skimmer what do you think of it? -Jonathan Link to comment
DangerMouse Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 From what I understand you don't need a skimmer if you keep up with your water changes. I think a sump on the other hand would be good, and I bet you could set one up for less. One of the more experienced reefers can probably give better insight. Link to comment
Boomerblaster Posted April 12, 2004 Author Share Posted April 12, 2004 To be honest, i really don't understand the use for sumps other than more water volume = greater stability, and the fact that it gives good water circulation and a place to put stuff? I mean it always sounds so complicated to me? With all the PVC and measuring. And besides doesn't my tank have to be drilled, i think thats what you call it. Thanks i really could use some advice and direction. Thanks to all who reply! -Jonathan Link to comment
Angel Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 I don't run a skimmer either, just weekly water changes. I would recommend getting a couple of extra power heads though. That HOB filter might not give you the water circulation that you need and that could cause some algae problems later down the road. With the extra PH's you could keep from having "dead" spots that could actually encourage the algae. It would all come down to personal preferences and what you plan to keep. Link to comment
Korbin Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Originally posted by Boomerblaster To be honest, i really don't understand the use for sumps other than more water volume = greater stability, and the fact that it gives good water circulation and a place to put stuff? I mean it always sounds so complicated to me? With all the PVC and measuring. Oh man. This here is sump country. And you crossed the line. :pirate: Sumps rock! They're magical places where naughty critters go on sabatical. Chemicals are more dilute. Algae grows free and eyesores like carbon and heaters have a place to live without being discriminated against. Link to comment
SeaSide Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Originally posted by Boomerblaster more water volume = greater stability, good water circulation and a place to put stuff Isn't this good enough? I think we need skimmer, sump, refugium or other fancy things for one reason. Stability. You certainly need skimmer with big tank. But we're in nano world, which leaves skimmer to your taste. We will be fine with water change in small tank w/o skimmer. Having it woudn't hurt, in fact, is nice addition. Remora is nice skimmer for small tank. Get it when it is what you want. It will make your life easy a little bit for saving your from frequent water change. Link to comment
Boomerblaster Posted April 13, 2004 Author Share Posted April 13, 2004 I guess you're right about what i said about the sump lol. But, the problem is i don't think it is possible with my tank. Aren't i correct in saying that your tank has to be drilled before it is stocked?? SO, i guess i would have to get a new tank, right? Even if i did switch tanks how much would creating a sump cost, and what does it involve? Never really thought about setting up a sump! Can someone give me a nice run down? Thanks so much everyone! -JOnathan Link to comment
ch0ch Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 get in touch wit touchofjeff@aol.com... he builds great sumps in the tristate area... not sure if he ships but get in touch... he built me a sump wit a built in skimmer in it ... heres the link to the pic http://www.nano-reef.com/gallery/showphoto...&cat=500&page=1 Link to comment
EtOH_is_good Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 hmmm, i'm planning on using a 20H as as sump for my future 20L. in mattie's 20 thread http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=18235 , he just broke out the cost of setting up a 10g sump for his 20H (somewhere on page 4). the thread is also shows nice tank development. i want mattie's tank. Link to comment
movingshadow Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 while there is no need for a skimmer on small tanks as long as W/C are carried out regularly and with enough volume, though I think having a skimmer never hurts. To be honest though, I'm perfectly happy with the Sander piccolo air driven skimmer (cost a total of 30 bucks brandnew WITH an air pump) which sits in a compartment in my aquaclear HOB refugium. I'm also using the same skimmer on a 29gal cube with success, so hooking it up on a 20g will work no prob. IMHO there's no need to drop huge loads of cash on the remora when you can have an only somewhat lesser effect at a fraction of the cost. hope that helps... Link to comment
alexmsw Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 If you can wait until June or July AquaC is coming out with a smaller version of the Remora for nano tanks. I was about to buy one for my 20 long that I am starting, but after reading about itand emailing them that I am going to wait. they didn't give talk about any exact specs but they said it will be designed for tanks in the 10-20 gallon range in mind. Link to comment
DangerMouse Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Originally posted by Boomerblaster I guess you're right about what i said about the sump lol. But, the problem is i don't think it is possible with my tank. Aren't i correct in saying that your tank has to be drilled before it is stocked?? SO, i guess i would have to get a new tank, right? Even if i did switch tanks how much would creating a sump cost, and what does it involve? Never really thought about setting up a sump! Can someone give me a nice run down? Thanks so much everyone! -JOnathan You don't need to have a drilled tank for a sump. You can buy a HOB overflow that will allow the water to be moved into the sump. You don't need anything fancy for a sump either. I've seen people use Rubbermaid tubs for sumps. Once you have that you pretty much set it up like your show tank but it doesn't have to be as pretty. Throw in sand and more rock. Toss your heater and all that other stuff that may normally clutter up your show tank. Then you just add a return pump to pump the water back into the show tank and there you go. If you really want to make it easy, you can get a CPR HOB Fuge. Link to comment
Boomerblaster Posted April 14, 2004 Author Share Posted April 14, 2004 Wow, i guess it doesn't seem that hard. Are there any places that i could look at some specific drawings, measurments, and costs? Just curious, because now i am interested in a sump. That little remora sounds great too! Hmmm so many choices! Thanks everyone!! -Jonathan Link to comment
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