Nano reef skimmer question

DonJuanAntwon · Dec 13, 2022

Hey everyone still new to reefing and looking for some advice regarding HOB skimmer for a nano reef tank. I have a 10 gallon nano mixed reef tank that’s about 7 months old. Everything has been going really well (all corals growing really well; birds nest, torch’s, hammers, chalices, mushrooms, zoas, and montis) all parameters have really hit their stride and are consistent (nitrate 5, phosphate 0.1, alk 9, calcium 440, mg ~1300). My two clowns, shark goby, and yasha goby have all grown and done well. I’m doing weekly 20% water changes and currently have a coralife HOB filter with chaeto/light and chemi pure elite. My question is should I invest in a HOB protein skimmer like bubble magnus skimmer qq1? Everything is doing so well that Im worried about adding something that will throw things off. Just wondering if it would be a good addition or if I should just keep everything consistent as it’s going well. Any thoughts, opinions, and advice would be appreciated.

blaxsun · Dec 13, 2022

Based on the number of fish you have you'll probably see some benefit from a small nano skimmer (and I would definitely recommend the Bubble Magus based on what others have said about it). You probably won't see a huge hit to your nutrients, but you'll probably start pulling out some icky stuff that will improve things overall.

DonJuanAntwon · Dec 13, 2022

Thank you! I always appreciate your insight! If my nutrients start to drop would you just space out your water changes to every other week? Or dose to stay on a weekly water change schedule, feed more, or add a fish?

blaxsun said:
Based on the number of fish you have you'll probably see some benefit from a small nano skimmer (and I would definitely recommend the Bubble Magus based on what others have said about it). You probably won't see a huge hit to your nutrients, but you'll probably start pulling out some icky stuff that will improve things overall.

blaxsun · Dec 13, 2022

DonJuanAntwon said:
Thank you! I always appreciate your insight! If my nutrients start to drop would you just space out your water changes to every other week? Or dose to stay on a weekly water change schedule, feed more, or add a fish?

Yes, you can space your water changes out more, perform less and keep on the same schedule, increase the interval between cleaning/changing out your filtration - or add another fish.

Adding another fish comes with other considerations like feeding, territory, aggression, etc.

DonJuanAntwon · Dec 14, 2022

blaxsun said:
Yes, you can space your water changes out more, perform less and keep on the same schedule, increase the interval between cleaning/changing out your filtration - or add another fish.

Adding another fish comes with other considerations like feeding, territory, aggression, etc.

What fish would you recommend to add? Got two Picasso clown fish, a shark nose goby, and a yasha goby.

blaxsun · Dec 15, 2022

DonJuanAntwon said:
What fish would you recommend to add? Got two Picasso clown fish, a shark nose goby, and a yasha goby.

Honestly, with a 10-gallon tank I probably wouldn't add any more fish.

livinlifeinBKK · Dec 15, 2022

blaxsun said:
Honestly, with a 10-gallon tank I probably wouldn't add any more fish.

Agreed...any more fish and you really risk disrupting your nutrient levels not to mention the tank might simply be a little overcrowded with any more additions

CoastalTownLayabout · Dec 15, 2022

Based on your parameters and observations of good coral and fish health is there anything specific leading you to consider a skimmer? Only saying this as I added a Tunze 9004 to a ADA nano a few years back for no particular reason and was hit with dinos soon after. Similar age system, everything was looking good. I suspect it pushed nutrients too low.

Not trying to dissuade you but if it ain’t broke….

TangerineSpeedo · Dec 15, 2022

I am really happy with my Eshopps nano skimmers in my tanks. But I got mine when they were $50 bucks cheaper last year.

DonJuanAntwon · Dec 15, 2022

That’s my thought process too! With how good everything is doing, do I risk throwing it all out of whack? or is there another level I can get to with this addition? My worry is nutrient depletion too. I also battled dinos awhile back when my nutrients dropped. Thanks for your insight!

CoastalTownLayabout said:
Based on your parameters and observations of good coral and fish health is there anything specific leading you to consider a skimmer? Only saying this as I added a Tunze 9004 to a ADA nano a few years back for no particular reason and was hit with dinos soon after. Similar age system, everything was looking good. I suspect it pushed nutrients too low.

Not trying to dissuade you but if it ain’t broke….

Aaron75 · Dec 15, 2022

I wouldn't change anything. A skimmer might lower nitrates but you're right at that sweet spot of 5 and if anything, you could go higher. I'd let it be.