Protein skimmer or external canister?

[lilfish717]

My next step in upgrading my display tank this weekend (yes I upgrade my tank paycheck by paycheck because this hobby is expensive, haha) is a better filter. I currently have a cheap little internal filter. I do not have a sump yet but it is on my list here for the future. (I have the tank and some stuff for it.) What would be better to get this weekend? A nice protein skimmer or a nice external filter. My tank is a 55 gallon reef tank. Thanks for your input!

 

[Hemmdog]

My next step in upgrading my display tank this weekend (yes I upgrade my tank paycheck by paycheck because this hobby is expensive, haha) is a better filter. I currently have a cheap little internal filter. I do not have a sump yet but it is on my list here for the future. (I have the tank and some stuff for it.) What would be better to get this weekend? A nice protein skimmer or a nice external filter. My tank is a 55 gallon reef tank. Thanks for your input!

Skimmer for sure, but you need a sump. External filters are ok for fish only but not for reefs.

 

[lilfish717]

Skimmer for sure, but you need a sump. External filters are ok for fish only but not for reefs.

The sumps going to be some money. I'm getting there. I'm sure I'll be there soon enough. Do you have to have a sump for a skimmer or not? If you need a sump for a skimmer what should I do then?

 

[PYRU]

A good skimmer is one of the best purchases you can make, but is not necessary. You can add it later with the sump.

I don't think a hob is a good purchase though. Lighting, powerhead, etc would be higher on my list.

 

[ryeguyy84]

Hold your money and get the sump setup this weekend.

Then get a skimmer next paycheck. Or you could use the sump as a large fuge to see if that keep up with your nutrients. Just a thought.

Forget the canister filter unless you're fish only like said above

 

[Hemmdog]

The sumps going to be some money. I'm getting there. I'm sure I'll be there soon enough. Do you have to have a sump for a skimmer or not? If you need a sump for a skimmer what should I do then?

There’s hang on back skimmers but they don’t work nearly as well as in sump skimmers. You will want to save up for a sump first. I just found one for my new build on Craigslist for $150, it’s a trigger emerald 26, a really good sump. $370 new I think. Just a little vinegar and a hose and she looks like new. So I’d maybe check that route. Your sump will be like a massive filter essentially since I understand your looking to up your filtration game. Skimmer sits in the sump, it’s not required but it makes your water much cleaner and more oxygenated. You can also put macro algae’s in your sump with a light to have a place for copepods to live and breed, which feeds your fish. So many benefits of having a sump.

 

[lilfish717]

A good skimmer is one of the best purchases you can make, but is not necessary. You can add it later with the sump.

I don't think a hob is a good purchase though. Lighting, powerhead, etc would be higher on my list.

I have all the lights powerhead ect. For my main tank. I'm just looking to upgrade a filter and don't know what route to take.

 

[Cmedeiros]

Anyone good with sumps and skimmers ? I’m lost

 

[Hemmdog]

Anyone good with sumps and skimmers ? I’m lost

How big of a display, I’m fairly knowledgeable on stuff under 180g

 

[lilfish717]

There’s hang on back skimmers but they don’t work nearly as well as in sump skimmers. You will want to save up for a sump first. I just found one for my new build on Craigslist for $150, it’s a trigger emerald 26, a really good sump. $370 new I think. Just a little vinegar and a hose and she looks like new. So I’d maybe check that route. Your sump will be like a massive filter essentially since I understand your looking to up your filtration game. Skimmer sits in the sump, it’s not required but it makes your water much cleaner and more oxygenated. You can also put macro algae’s in your sump with a light to have a place for copepods to live and breed, which feeds your fish. So many benefits of having a sump.

If I buy a sump does it come with the return pump etc? Or would I need to get all that. Would the sump and the return pump be a filter itself without the skimmer right away?

 

[ryeguyy84]

The sumps going to be some money. I'm getting there. I'm sure I'll be there soon enough. Do you have to have a sump for a skimmer or not? If you need a sump for a skimmer what should I do then?

Go to Petco and get a 20l tank, maybe wait for the next $1 per gallon sale. And glue in some baffles to make a sump. If you're not comfortable making the baffles they sell kits on eBay for cheap.

If you want filter socks you could get some hang on sock holders like these:

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/collections/filter-socks/products/filter-sock-holder-4-or-7

Start there and get a skimmer later

 

[Cmedeiros]

Anyone good with sumps and skimmers ? I’m lost

Not really sure how to get the protein skimmer going

Can anyone help me figure out this puzzle

 

[lilfish717]

Go to Petco and get a 20l tank, maybe wait for the next $1 per gallon sale. And glue in some baffles to make a sump. If you're not comfortable making the baffles they sell kits on eBay for cheap.

If you want filter socks you could get some hang on sock holders like these:

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/collections/filter-socks/products/filter-sock-holder-4-or-7

Start there and get a skimmer later

It's funny because that's exactly what I did last weekend

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Get a 20 long and use as a sump/fuge. Put in the skimmer. Check your local boards or craigslist for clean good used stuff. I’d wait till you have the funds for the stuff you want, and try to find it used.

 

[PYRU]

The sumps going to be some money. I'm getting there. I'm sure I'll be there soon enough. Do you have to have a sump for a skimmer or not? If you need a sump for a skimmer what should I do then?

Sumps don't have to be expensive. $1 per gallon sale is what I do unless its a really big tank.

I personally would hold off to get an in sump skimmer, but I wouldn't even bother with a skimmer unless you can get a quality one.

 

[Hemmdog]

If I buy a sump does it come with the return pump etc? Or would I need to get all that. Would the sump and the return pump be a filter itself without the skimmer right away?

Return pump, jebao is cheap and they work good, just tend to die after a few years.
Plumbing, 10ft if pvc in case you mess up, elbows, true union gate valve(s), pvc primer and glue, loc-line fittings for return
Overflow, I got the eshopps ghost overflow, it comes with the bit to drill, you can also go full external but there’s flooding risks if you have power outages or a snail blocks the siphon and stuff
Media, I use marinepure ceramic bioballs in my sump in the fuge chamber, provides a place for nitrifying bacteria to do their thing and a place for pods to live.

That’s about it. Skimmer is super beneficial but not urgent.

 

[ryeguyy84]

If I buy a sump does it come with the return pump etc? Or would I need to get all that. Would the sump and the return pump be a filter itself without the skimmer right away?

No you would need the return pump as well. Checkout the jaebo dcp line. They are cheap and pretty reliable. I use the dcp-6500 on my 90 gallon.

Now that I'm thinking about it, is your tank reef ready? Like does it have an overflow? If not you would need an external overflow to plumb the sump.

And no the sump provides no filtration, unless you add filter socks then you would have some mechanical filtration

 

[Hemmdog]

Not really sure how to get the protein skimmer going

Can anyone help me figure out this puzzle

That’s super DIY’d. I don’t see anyway to hook up that skimmer with just the parts shown, no idea.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

The best tank I ever had was a 50 gal with half an undergravel filter, live rock, and a shop light with an actinic and a cool white. I had tangs a clown and mushrooms doing great. I had calurpa and the tangs would eat it, but I’d still have to harvest. I almost never had to clean the glass. That tank was on cruise control for years in the early 90’s. Don’t worry about getting better stuff until you find exactly what you want long term, for a good price. When you get a sump you will need an overflow, and a return pump.

 

[lilfish717]

Return pump, jebao is cheap and they work good, just tend to die after a few years.
Plumbing, 10ft if pvc in case you mess up, elbows, true union gate valve(s), pvc primer and glue, loc-line fittings for return
Overflow, I got the eshopps ghost overflow, it comes with the bit to drill, you can also go full external but there’s flooding risks if you have power outages or a snail blocks the siphon and stuff
Media, I use marinepure ceramic bioballs in my sump in the fuge chamber, provides a place for nitrifying bacteria to do their thing and a place for pods to live.

That’s about it. Skimmer is super beneficial but not urgent.

What gph rTe would you suggest? I found a 400 foh for 30$ on amazon