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Cultivated Reef

Oversized protein skimmer in 16 G tank


Muffin87

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Total newbie here, a ridiculous question about a ridiculously large skimmer for my new tank. I'm setting up my first reef tank: 16 G (60 L) tank and I was looking for a protein skimmer, possibly one that could also work in a larger tank in the future.

 

The Hydor Slim skin skimmer is a good candidate but comes in two sizes.

  • A smaller one (30 cm - 12 inch long) for tanks 15 to 35 gallons
  • A larger one (45 cm - 17.5 inch long) for tanks 45 to 65 gallons

 

My Dennerle NanoCube Marinus 60L tank is 43 cm (17 inch) tall.

The larger skimmer would stand 37 cm (14.5 inches) into the water, while the upper part of its length, 8 cm (3 inches), would extend above the water level.

[With a 3 cm (1.1 inch) sandbed and water 3 cm (1.1 inch) from the tank rim]

 

  1. Assuming obviously that water would reach into the larger skimmer, would the larger skimmer work? I fully realise this would be far from aesthetically pleasing.
  2. Is the larger skimmer just way too oversized for it to be beneficial to such a small (16 G) tank?
  3. Would it be a problem if the bottom of the skimmer touched the sandbed?

 

lrgHDS101_HydorSlimSkim1.jpeg

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Depends on your bioload.

ive got an Aquamaxx ws-1 , rated for 65 gallons light bioload or 30 gallons heavy bioload.

I run on the heavy side with 18 gallon tank and 20 sump. Maybe 25 gallon total volume.

Works well and pulls great skimmate.

 

No, you don’t want the skimmer touching the sand. Pump intake is near the bottom and will suck in sand or other debris killing the pump.

 

You should get the best skimmer you can afford for your CURRENT size tank and bioload.

When you upgrade , you sell this skimmer and get the next size up??

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