Are skimmers mandatory with Biopellet reactors

[GHOSTLY]

as in my other post youll notice that I might be getting a skimmer or reactor. I prefer the reactor for many reasons and was wondering if a skimmer on a nano is mandatory if I want a reactor

 

[Reef Tripp]

The problem is that bp or any other form of carbon promotes the growth of bacteria and they quickly deplete oxygen, that is why a skimmer is required, and it will also collect waste.

 

[WVNed]

The BP reactor grows bacteria by feeding it but nutrients aren't removed from the system until the bacteria are trapped by the skimmer and removed.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Mm good to know. So I gu3ss its gonna be 2 big purchases

 

[Big E]

How big is this nano tank? I would suggest just buying a skimmer for now. It's very possible you won't have to use biopellets as smaller tanks seldom have a heavy enough fish load to create high nitrates.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

my opinion is that a skimmer is better purchase than a reactor for a nano tank

 

[GHOSTLY]

13.5 evo. I feed 3 to 5 times a day, have 1 mandarin, 2 clowns, and 1 springeris damsel, and do water changes every 2 weeks now

 

[Uncle99]

Mm good to know. So I gu3ss its gonna be 2 big purchases

Or a skimmer and just dose your carbon.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Or a skimmer and just dose your carbon.

You see, Im really lazy to dose. I know Vodka can produce carbon. Will ALL carbon sources reduce oxygen levels or just biopellets

 

[dedragon]

The problem is you are way overstocked for that sized tank. the mandarin in a 13.5 gallon tank needs the extra feeding so i get why you are doing 3-5 times a day but that is just overload on such a small tank. 2 clownfish and 1 springeri might even be too much in that sized tank.
Honestly best move i think would be to just buy a 20 gallon or larger tank and move everything over. Skimmer would definitely help for now though and can be moved to a larger tank after.

Here are some options for skimmers
https://www.marinedepot.com/aquamaxx-nf-1-nano-protein-skimmer-in-sump

IceCap K1 Nano Protein Skimmer

Compact Filtration for Aquariums Ranging from 10-30 Gallons Footprint: 2.75" x 3.2" (3.5 x 4in w/Mount)| Reaction Chamber: 2" | Height: 13"Skimmer Pump: DCair 200

www.coralvue.com

In-Sump Nano Protein Skimmer

No room for a quality protein skimmer? Think again. The Eshopps Nano Skimmer has a small footprint of just 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 11 1/2" high that allows convenient placement in small spaces- perfect all-in-one nano aquarium systems. The easy-to-install in-sump skimmer is powered by the...

www.marinedepot.com

Fiji Cube Nano Protein Skimmer NSK-50

Fiji Cube Nano Protein Skimmer is an excellent choice of nano skimmer that offers great skimming capability. The skimmer has a compact footprint which is designed to fit most all-in-one aquariums. The skimmer comes with height-adjustable mount that allows high flexibility in different water...

www.fijicube.com

 

[dedragon]

You see, Im really lazy to dose. I know Vodka can produce carbon. Will ALL carbon sources reduce oxygen levels or just biopellets

They all reduce oxygen i think

 

[Caseyoidae]

Why biopellets ? They’re somewhat hard to control compared to other carbon sources like vinegar which is what I would use. In the past I’ve just used vinegar and a dosing pump. I really disliked the biopellet because I bottomed out nutrients in about 6 months with mine.

 

[GHOSTLY]

The problem is you are way overstocked for that sized tank. the mandarin in a 13.5 gallon tank needs the extra feeding so i get why you are doing 3-5 times a day but that is just overload on such a small tank. 2 clownfish and 1 springeri might even be too much in that sized tank.
Honestly best move i think would be to just buy a 20 gallon or larger tank and move everything over. Skimmer would definitely help for now though and can be moved to a larger tank after.

Here are some options for skimmers
https://www.marinedepot.com/aquamaxx-nf-1-nano-protein-skimmer-in-sump

IceCap K1 Nano Protein Skimmer

Compact Filtration for Aquariums Ranging from 10-30 Gallons Footprint: 2.75" x 3.2" (3.5 x 4in w/Mount)| Reaction Chamber: 2" | Height: 13"Skimmer Pump: DCair 200

www.coralvue.com

In-Sump Nano Protein Skimmer

No room for a quality protein skimmer? Think again. The Eshopps Nano Skimmer has a small footprint of just 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 11 1/2" high that allows convenient placement in small spaces- perfect all-in-one nano aquarium systems. The easy-to-install in-sump skimmer is powered by the...

www.marinedepot.com

Fiji Cube Nano Protein Skimmer NSK-50

Fiji Cube Nano Protein Skimmer is an excellent choice of nano skimmer that offers great skimming capability. The skimmer has a compact footprint which is designed to fit most all-in-one aquariums. The skimmer comes with height-adjustable mount that allows high flexibility in different water...

www.fijicube.com

Springeri is leaving this weekend. Mandarin goby is t4ained on super small pellets sadly

 

[GHOSTLY]

Why biopellets ? They’re somewhat hard to control compared to other carbon sources like vinegar which is what I would use. In the past I’ve just used vinegar and a dosing pump. I really disliked the biopellet because I bottomed out nutrients in about 6 months with mine.

By bottomed out do you mean 0 anything? I don't want to set a dosing pump up because I heard vinegar and carbon in general lower phosphate

 

[GHOSTLY]

I also cant legally buy vodka as I'm wayyyyy underage so biopellets and vinegar are my options

 

[Caseyoidae]

Ya, 0 is really bad on a tank. Shouldn’t affect phosphate. What are you trying to accomplish with carbon dosing? I’d only go that route after trying chaeto fuge. It can create headaches

 

[GHOSTLY]

I also cant legally buy vodka as I'm wayyyyy underage so biopellets and vinegar are my options

Ya, 0 is really bad on a tank. Shouldn’t affect phosphate. What are you trying to accomplish with carbon dosing? I’d only go that route after trying chaeto fuge. It can create headaches

Im going for carbon to keep all my amm nitrate and nitrite stable

 

[GHOSTLY]

Speaking of that would a purigen reactor do that? Could I make a purigen reactor?

 

[Caseyoidae]

I would just feed half as much if you are having elevated nitrates.

 

[GHOSTLY]

If i feed half then my mandarin might not get enough. I kind of half to feed