Need some skimmer recommendations

[Nihilus]

I might be setting up a 20 gallon long in the next month or so and I'm not really sure which skimmer to go with. I don't want to spend any more than $175 and it needs to be as quiet as possible. (tank will be in bedroom) Thanks.

 

[GoVols]

I might be setting up a 20 gallon long in the next month or so and I'm not really sure which skimmer to go with. I don't want to spend any more than $175 and it needs to be as quiet as possible. (tank will be in bedroom) Thanks.

You really don't need a skimmer for a 20 gallon.

 

[Nihilus]

Yeah I know, but I've got the money for one and they're just so beneficial for a tank.

 

[mcarroll]

Yeah I know, but I've got the money for one and they're just so beneficial for a tank.

They are not infinitely beneficial....I'd place them somewhere between an air-stone and a very small water change.

The beauty of the protein skimmer is twofold:

1. They are just cool to watch.
2. They have no pads or media to wear out.

The real key is #2.

Even though they don't really work all that well in terms of removing all the waste than could pollute a tank (around 30%), they work day in, day out for years with almost no attention or additional cost whatsoever.

So they're easy enough to justify, but realize what they will and won't do. E.g. They will never remove "thick dark sludge" as you might read in skimmer-marketing-speak about some skimmers. (Not from a normal, functioning reef anyway.)

 

[mcarroll]

Forgot to mention that for a 20 Gallon I'd look at the Tunze Comline® DOC Skimmer 9001 and DOC Skimmer 9001 DC.
$115 and $162, respectively.

The smaller one would really be plenty.

 

[d2mini]

They will never remove "thick dark sludge" as you might read in skimmer-marketing-speak about some skimmers. (Not from a normal, functioning reef anyway.)

You obviously haven't seen Bill Wann's recent fb post.

 

[mcarroll]

Not as long as it's on fb....that's a very good way to hide something from me, in fact.

 

[GoVols]

They are not infinitely beneficial....I'd place them somewhere between an air-stone and a very small water change.

The beauty of the protein skimmer is twofold:

1. They are just cool to watch.
2. They have no pads or media to wear out.

The real key is #2.

Even though they don't really work all that well in terms of removing all the waste than could pollute a tank (around 30%), they work day in, day out for years with almost no attention or additional cost whatsoever.

So they're easy enough to justify, but realize what they will and won't do. E.g. They will never remove "thick dark sludge" as you might read in skimmer-marketing-speak about some skimmers. (Not from a normal, functioning reef anyway.)

@mcarroll
lol
For a 20 gallon your right. They are cool to watch.

OP, I'd buy one too... Because their cool!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jason2459]

.... E.g. They will never remove "thick dark sludge" as you might read in skimmer-marketing-speak about some skimmers. (Not from a normal, functioning reef anyway.)

I beg to differ.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mtc-mvx-skimmer-review.252436/page-6

 

[mcarroll]

Beg if you want it's (still) a free country, but that is a picture of a dirty skimmer – nothing more. Certainly not something to emulate!

If you were asking, I'd suggest to dial that skimmer in to skim wet (or wetter)....and maybe upgrade to a larger, better skimmer. Or at least one that's easier to clean as-needed.

(Thumbscrews are the bane of good skimmer maintenance habits. I used to care for a number of skimmers that were built just like the one pictured.)

 

[Velcro]

There's a 3rd benefit for some (like me). With a CO2 scrubber and my lifereef pulling god knows how much air per hour hooked to a CO2 scrubber I get my pH to raise 0.3-0.4

 

[jason2459]

Beg if you want it's (still) a free country, but that is a picture of a dirty skimmer – nothing more. Certainly not something to emulate!

If you were asking, I'd suggest to dial that skimmer in to skim wet (or wetter)....and maybe upgrade to a larger, better skimmer. Or at least one that's easier to clean as-needed.

(Thumbscrews are the bane of good skimmer maintenance habits. I used to care for a number of skimmers that were built just like the one pictured.)

Then I'd suggest you read that thread.

 

[jason2459]

There's a 3rd benefit for some (like me). With a CO2 scrubber and my lifereef pulling god knows how much air per hour hooked to a CO2 scrubber I get my pH to raise 0.3-0.4

Absolutely, one of the main benefits to me running a skimmer is its ability to aerate the water and setup right can help boost the pH which my tank needs all the help it can get. If I don't do anything my tanks pH would easily hit 7.7's

 

[mcarroll]

Then I'd suggest you read that thread.

Maybe you can give me a hint? (I've seen plenty of dirty skimmers.)

 

[jason2459]

Maybe you can give me a hint? (I've seen plenty of dirty skimmers.)

Eh, I've put a lot of time and effort into that thread to be able to summarize it up in one sentence.

But I can summarize it up in one word.

Awesome!

Good page to start on with some final(ish) numbers. But I keep tinkering with it which is another reason I love this skimmer.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mtc-mvx-skimmer-review.252436/page-4

 

[mcarroll]

They are not infinitely beneficial....I'd place them somewhere between an air-stone and a very small water change.

There's a 3rd benefit for some (like me). With a CO2 scrubber and my lifereef pulling god knows how much air per hour hooked to a CO2 scrubber I get my pH to raise 0.3-0.4

Absolutely, one of the main benefits to me running a skimmer is its ability to aerate the water and setup right can help boost the pH which my tank needs all the help it can get. If I don't do anything my tanks pH would easily hit 7.7's

Not that anyone "should" but someone could do the same thing with an Aqualifter pump and an airstone.

Beneficial, like I said, but in a very elementary way!

Easy to over-sell whats happening.

Good page to start on

I'm really not trying to knock anyone's skimmer – as I said at the outset, fun is one of the main reasons to have them. And you're clearly having fun with yours.

As for the thread, just trying to keep expectations in line with reality.

For some reason there's a tendency to think of a skimmer as being a lot more than an air-stone in a box.

 

[jason2459]

Not that anyone "should" but someone could do the same thing with an Aqualifter pump and an airstone.

Beneficial, like I said, but in a very elementary way!

Easy to over-sell whats happening.



I'm really not trying to knock anyone's skimmer – as I said at the outset, fun is one of the main reasons to have them. And you're clearly having fun with yours.

As for the thread, just trying to keep expectations in line with reality.

For some reason there's a tendency to think of a skimmer as being a lot more than an air-stone in a box.

Airstone driven skimmers are awesome and work great. Probably some of the best. Contained in a skimmer body reduces the salt creep and the benefit of removing anything that will attach to a bubble and what ever is in that something. I see no overselling. The aeration provided by my skimmer with a CO2 scrubber or for some with the airline ran outside helps quite well with pH for those of us that do have a pH problem.

I only replied to counter your one point that "thick dark sludge" wasn't possible.

 

[Velcro]

Not that anyone "should" but someone could do the same thing with an Aqualifter pump and an airstone.

Beneficial, like I said, but in a very elementary way!

Easy to over-sell whats happening.



I'm really not trying to knock anyone's skimmer – as I said at the outset, fun is one of the main reasons to have them. And you're clearly having fun with yours.

As for the thread, just trying to keep expectations in line with reality.

For some reason there's a tendency to think of a skimmer as being a lot more than an air-stone in a box.

Pretty sure an aqualifter pump is pushing NOWHERE near as much as my 6000lph DC pump through a venturi. Plus, what better way to contain all of the bubbles than a skimmer body?

 

[jason2459]

Pretty sure an aqualifter pump is pushing NOWHERE near as much as my 6000lph DC pump through a venturi. Plus, what better way to contain all of the bubbles than a skimmer body?

You should see some of the airstone driven skimmers which is not common at all anymore. Lots of cost/maintenance in replacing/maintaning the airstones which some would make their own.

But no, it's not the same as the typical whipser air pump and a single airstone could possibly provide.

 

[mcarroll]

I see no overselling. The aeration provided by my skimmer with a CO2 scrubber or for some with the airline ran outside helps quite well with pH for those of us that do have a pH problem.

I only replied to counter your one point that "thick dark sludge" wasn't possible.

You might simply be unaware of skimmer marketing, which is a good thing! (I'm not sure why you or anyone would be so eager to be a part of said marketing since it amount to lies. LOL)

What you added to the thread was a picture of a very dirty skimmer that just needs a cleaning. I'm not sure there's anything to gain by making more out of it than that.

How long do you typically go between cleanings and how long was that pic?

BTW, I'm still glad you're enjoying your skimmer.

(In case anyone is taking notes: dirty skimmers do not pull as much gunk as a clean skimmer...this is the major reason why ease of use is one of the main factors to consider when buying a skimmer. If cleaning is difficult, it won't get done.)