Protein Skimmer fo a 29G?

[JaredCBell]

Since I will be having a FOWLR system and my tank is only 29G and a protein skimmer isnt 100 percent necessary, would I be fine with this inexpensive skimmer later on down the road?

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p.s. I am keeping my AquaClear 70 on there even after all the live rock is in.

[AABatteries]

I wouldn't get one of those. A CPR BakPak, or Remora C are great choices.

[oldhead]

Don't waste your time/money, save and buy a quality the skimmer the first time around. The Octopus line is a great one to look at also.

[rageybug]

Depending on what you keep in the tank and what you feed, you could probably do without a skimmer. Just keep in mind that you will need to do water changes more often. Over the long run, you will spend more on salt due to the extra water changes, than you would on a decent skimmer.

A skimmer is always a good choice but it is a corner you could cut on this tank.

[Fishguy2727]

A skimmer is definitely the better option, but definitely not one like that. You don't want a counter current, the venturi style are much better. If you don't have a sump then the Reef Octopus HOB is probably your best option from what I have read and heard.

[JaredCBell]

any under 100 bucks?

[Fishguy2727]

Save up, they are worth. Stay on top of water changes until then. With a skimmer you are usually looking at 10% weekly. Until then I would do one twice a week.

[JaredCBell]

But they are all for larger aquariums. I just need a small one for extra filtration. is it really necessary dishing out over 100 when i could put that towards live rock, lighting for corals etc?

[coachfraley]

The reason people are suggesting the more expensive ones, is that the cheap ones are generally garbage, and don't do anything but break.

You could always get a skimmer a couple of months down the road. But I think it is smarter to spend $100-$150 on something that works, than spending $30-$50 on something that will end up in the garbage.

[Fishguy2727]

Exactly.

Many people do not think they are necessary, but when you see what all they pull out of the water that looked perfectly fine you will see how important they are. Tanks without skimmers are also the ones that are most likely to crash. They can do very well for an extended period of time and then all of a sudden crash.

A skimmer is the one piece of equipment that almost every salt keeper considers essential. Since fish only systems tend to have a higher bioload they become even more important.

[saix88]

If you slack on equipment then your going to pay very hard for it in the long run.

Imagine saltwater as a ferrari, sure you can afford a 348, but the maintenance is where the real cost is, so if you can't afford all the costs to run your tank to the best it can, then either stick to freshwater or take it very slow and save up.

[JaredCBell]

If you slack on equipment then your going to pay very hard for it in the long run.

This can be said about anything. And like most saltwater experience opinions, this topic has many conflicting reports. Many people saying for the size of the aquarium I have and the fact that there will be 30lb of live rock and an aquaclear 70 with only fish, it is not necessary. So as you can guess, this is very confusing, and if I can save 100 plus dollars and put it towards something else for the tank, I would love to.

[Fishguy2727]

Without a skimmer you will definitely need a very aggressive water change schedule to keep things under control. It is cheaper, easier, and better to use a skimmer. Check ebay and craigslist, you may find an excellent skimmer in the price range you are more comfortable with.

I thought the same thing and wanted to go more natural. But after talking to more and more people about what can happen without one and seeing what they can pull out I decided to to go ahead and use them. Unfortunately I didn't put the money into a good one right away and I still need to put the money into a better one.

[saix88]

This can be said about anything.


Then that should indicate something...you will be surprised at how much waste a skimmer will pull out and will be glad it's not in your tank.

[oldhead]

You should also consider the fish you will keep. Some fish are messier than others which will force a more demanding maintenance routine. The skimmer would be a great benefit if your stocking list falls into this category. They are not 100% necessary on FOWLR set ups. However, they do provided an added benefit and great peace of mind. Save your money and buy a reputable brand when you decide to purchase. If you decide later that you would like to go reef it will only benefit you to not have to re-purchase this piece of equipment, saving you money.

[Fishguy2727]

Just like with filters in freshwater, skimmers in saltwater are always overrated. You never want to buy something that according to its own rating is barely enough, it will not do the job for you.

[JaredCBell]

How is this one? I want one that is HOB, not really able to see.

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[saix88]

How is this one? I want one that is HOB, not really able to see.

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If you want HOB go with a BAKPAK.

[labnjab]

I would go with a coralife 65. I've had that on my 29 since day one (back in September) and had it HOB til December when I got a sump and put it in sump and it has been an awesome skimmer. Only problem I've ever had with it is the air intake builds up calcium on occasion and has to be cleaned, but that's maybe once a month. Here's a picture of what its pulled out in 3 weeks worth of skimming and it smells as bad as it looks. I've rigged up an aqualifter to suck out the skimmate so I only have to remove the collection cup once a week to clean it

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[Fishguy2727]

It is better than the last one, but most consider the Seaclones as useless (most have the same opinion of the Coralifes). This is in comparison to other skimmers, the good ones. But anything is better than nothing.

I have both, the Seaclone and the Coralife 65, on my 40. Between the two I would go with the Coralife.

But like I said before, your best bet is probably ebay or craigslist. For the same amount of money as a Seaclone or Coralife you can get a used better skimmer

[JaredCBell]

I would go with a coralife 65. I've had that on my 29 since day one (back in September) and had it HOB til December when I got a sump and put it in sump and it has been an awesome skimmer. Only problem I've ever had with it is the air intake builds up calcium on occasion and has to be cleaned, but that's maybe once a month. Here's a picture of what its pulled out in 3 weeks worth of skimming and it smells as bad as it looks. I've rigged up an aqualifter to suck out the skimmate so I only have to remove the collection cup once a week to clean it

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this one: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ???

Also, does it require any drilling or anything? Or can I just stick it in

[labnjab]

That's the one. No drilling, just stick it in. It takes a few days to break it in, but after that its great

[oldhead]

If I were you I'd check out the Octopus line of skimmers also. You should be able to find one in your range. That Coralife skimmer has been known to have some issues with flooding in the past. While some have had no issues like lab. You might still wanna research to be absolutely sure that you want to take that chance.