Nano Skimmer or Regular Skimmer for Reefer Nano

theKoolAidMan · Oct 25, 2018

I have a new Reefer Nano setup coming next Wednesday and am trying to get equipment together for it. The last thing I need to decide on is the skimmer. The Reefer Nano is an 18x18 display tank of 21 gallons with a 7 gallon sump that includes a 9.4" x 8.3" chamber for a skimmer.

I had my eyes on something small like the Hydor Slim Skim to save room in the sump, but wonder if I'd be better served just going with the smallest space saving version of a "normal" skimmer? Are these nano skimmers really any good?

DeniseAndy · Oct 25, 2018

I have had a few that were decent. I have had a few that were not until dialed in and done correctly. Too much of a pain. I wish I could give you names as I tend to forget what I have ordered. Most of mine were for 6g type tanks or 5g. I do have some that work on a 10g or 20g though. I have also built my own for the pico tanks.

What are you keeping in the tank? If you are keeping softies or lps or gorgs, big skimmer is not necessary. Hopefully someone else with actual names and reviews will help you out.

theKoolAidMan · Oct 25, 2018

DeniseAndy said:
I have had a few that were decent. I have had a few that were not until dialed in and done correctly. Too much of a pain. I wish I could give you names as I tend to forget what I have ordered. Most of mine were for 6g type tanks or 5g. I do have some that work on a 10g or 20g though. I have also built my own for the pico tanks.

What are you keeping in the tank? If you are keeping softies or lps or gorgs, big skimmer is not necessary. Hopefully someone else with actual names and reviews will help you out.

The plan at the moment is for a sofite tank with potentially a few LPS like Favia and Acans on the sand. The focal point of the tank will be a respectably sized RTBA with a single or of pair of Cinnamon Clownfish. I really want to avoid growing too much LPS and certainly no SPS as I really don't want to have to mess with dosing. I'm doing that in my big tank now and it's just a PITA. With such a small tank I'll rely on water changes to replenish any trace elements and being a softie dominant tank the Ca and Alk demand should be low.

DeniseAndy · Oct 25, 2018

I would stay away from acans with softies. They tend to do poorly in that small a tank. Just FME. Some favia also will do horrible depending on softie. Again, unfortunately fme.
The bta will also make issues for the acans, but the softies should do well. Thinking zoas or leathers? Gorgs would do fine with a bta also. I would not worry about a large skimmer. Just one designed for that size is fine. Most of the nano ones would work fine for that set up. Sounds like a cool little set up.

theKoolAidMan · Oct 25, 2018

DeniseAndy said:
I would stay away from acans with softies. They tend to do poorly in that small a tank. Just FME. Some favia also will do horrible depending on softie. Again, unfortunately fme.
The bta will also make issues for the acans, but the softies should do well. Thinking zoas or leathers? Gorgs would do fine with a bta also. I would not worry about a large skimmer. Just one designed for that size is fine. Most of the nano ones would work fine for that set up. Sounds like a cool little set up.

Mostly Zoas and muchrooms with probably a leather or two to add a bit of movement and texture, rather than all zoas and shrooms offering low profile rock cover. My Reefer 450 now is running out of room for new zoas frags, so I figured this tank would be good for them.