I am needing a protium Skimmer for a 16 gallon bio cube?

[Julie Reagan]

I am looking for a protein skimmer for a 16 gallon bio cube? What is the best to use?

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

Just do frequent water changes, no need for skimmer on such a small tank.

 

[reefiniteasy]

I use a Tunze 9001 DC in my display. It kicks the occasional stream of micro bubbles when it first turns on but it’s incredible. However, I do not use the lid on my BioCube.

 

[Julie Reagan]

Just do frequent water changes, no need for skimmer on such a small tank.

I do but I have been having a huge alge problem

 

[Julie Reagan]

I use a Tunze 9001 DC in my display. It kicks the occasional stream of micro bubbles when it first turns on but it’s incredible. However, I do not use the lid on my BioCube.

I have my lid on mine. How much does that skimmer cost?

 

[reefiniteasy]

I have my lid on mine. How much does that skimmer cost?

Right now it’s on sale. About $140

Comline DOC Skimmer 9001

Using the Tunze Flash Skimming Principle, the Comline DOC Skimmer pulls water through an efficient surface suction. 5.3 to 37 US Gallon tank (Depending on tank load) Skimmer Cup volume: .2 Liters Air capacity: 26 GPH Magnet holder for up to 3/8" thick glass Quiet Operation Bubble free outgoing...

www.marinedepot.com

 

[Turnage]

Skimmers for nano tanks don't work that great. I have a biocube 32 with a skimmer and it's a nightmare to keep it dialed in. Other options to control algae are cutting back feeding, UV light, algae scrubber, refugium, robust CUC, cut back lighting schedule, ect. There are chemicals if you are battling great hair or turf algae. We need more info to better help you like what type off algae are you have issues with. Tank parameters. Current equipment. Need input!!

 

[reefiniteasy]

Skimmers for nano tanks don't work that great.

Just do frequent water changes, no need for skimmer on such a small tank.

I disagree.

The idea that nano's don't need a skimmer and can easily be managed with water changes is ludicrous. It totally depends on bio-load and the coral in your tank. If water changes are not enough of an export, then the next logical addition would be a protein skimmer.

If I pulled my skimmer and did water changes as my only export, I fully believe my tank would crash. If I didn't dose 2-part, I'm at the point where my tank would crash. Every tank is different.

 

[Julie Reagan]

I have my lid on mine. How much does that skimmer

Right now it’s on sale. About $140

Comline DOC Skimmer 9001

Using the Tunze Flash Skimming Principle, the Comline DOC Skimmer pulls water through an efficient surface suction. 5.3 to 37 US Gallon tank (Depending on tank load) Skimmer Cup volume: .2 Liters Air capacity: 26 GPH Magnet holder for up to 3/8" thick glass Quiet Operation Bubble free outgoing...

www.marinedepot.com

And it will work fine for a 16 gallon

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ice Cap K-1

 

[reefiniteasy]

Works for me. I cannot say whether or not it’ll fix your algae problem but it is a great skimmer. I also have the IceCap K1 Nano. It’s good too. The Tunze is easier to tune as it has a controller you can manipulate. What is your bio-load like?

 

[reefiniteasy]

Either of those skimmers will only fit in the display meaning you will have to remove the lid. There is no skimmer as far as I know that will fit in the rear chambers (other than Reef Glass).

 

[DonTavo27]

I Agree on the tunze 9001. You maybe able to cut a part of the lid Out, to fit the skimmer cup.

 

[Daddy-o]

Coralife makes a BioCube skimmer

 

[Julie Reagan]

I disagree.

The idea that nano's don't need a skimmer and can easily be managed with water changes is ludicrous. It totally depends on bio-load and the coral in your tank. If water changes are not enough of an export, then the next logical addition would be a protein skimmer.

If I pulled my skimmer and did water changes as my only export, I fully believe my tank would crash. If I didn't dose 2-part, I'm at the point where my tank would crash. Every tank is different.

What would I get for a 16 gallon

 

[reefiniteasy]

What would I get for a 16 gallon

That’s a decision you have to make. Check out some YouTube videos. Search here on the forum and read some experiences. Make a short list of what you are looking at and do some research.

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

And it will work fine for a 16 gallon

I disagree.

The idea that nano's don't need a skimmer and can easily be managed with water changes is ludicrous. It totally depends on bio-load and the coral in your tank. If water changes are not enough of an export, then the next logical addition would be a protein skimmer.

If I pulled my skimmer and did water changes as my only export, I fully believe my tank would crash. If I didn't dose 2-part, I'm at the point where my tank would crash. Every tank is different.

Well I am not just making this up, this is from anecdotal experience. I have 2 small tanks that have never had skimmers and one of which is biocube 32. I have managed both the tanks with large and frequent water changes. Putting a skimmer in a bio cube is a nightmare, if you have a 16 gallon tank and do a 5 to 8 gallon water change every 2 weeks I believe it would export the same as a small crappy skimmer would. I am not saying skimmer aren't great, I have one on my main tank and I love it.

 

[Dj City]

I'm curious.
Where's the emergency?

A 16 gallon tank does not really need a skimmer of you are doing water changes. Depending on your bio load, a skimmer could strip the tank of nutrients leaving you open to pests like dino, cyano and others.

You should really only use the "emergency" button for emergencies.

Good luck

 

[stanlalee]

I disagree.

The idea that nano's don't need a skimmer and can easily be managed with water changes is ludicrous. It totally depends on bio-load and the coral in your tank. If water changes are not enough of an export, then the next logical addition would be a protein skimmer.

If I pulled my skimmer and did water changes as my only export, I fully believe my tank would crash. If I didn't dose 2-part, I'm at the point where my tank would crash. Every tank is different.

water changes can EASILY manage a biocube 14/16 and is FAR more effective than the nano skimmers that will work on them. The biocube 14 holds 10g of water empty (and the 16 is only 2" taller, give it another 0.5 gallons of you want). If you have sand and rock in them a 5g water change is over 50% and will drain the tank past the hallway mark. Doing this weekly is far more effective, in fact TOO effective as it easily bottomed my nitrates out (also better make sure your salt alkalinity matches your reef if you doing frequent changes this large). The skimmer shouldn't be what's keeping your reef afloat. ANY reef aquarium should be able to pull their skimmer without catastrophy and at worse slight modification in water change/feeding habits. Live sand, real liverock (from the ocean and then years in an established reef) and a media bag with ,250ml of Seachem matrix is my biocube 14 filtration. I have 2 fish (clown and Springers damsel) even though any fish in a 14 reef I consider high bioload.

 

[Eleni18]

So....where is the emergency?????