Protein skimmer vs reactor

[Charlie117]

Okay. So I’m debating. I have a waterbox 10g and I have two options on some additional filtration, the goal is to keep my nitrates low, I already do a 50% WC weekly. Anyone have any experience, or any insight on which will work better, a reef glass nano protein skimmer, or an external chaeto reactor. They would cost be about the same at the end of the day and as I’m sure some of you know space is limited. Insight is much appreciated!

 

[vangvace]

I would lean towards the skimmer. the cheato reactor is more maintenance and a 10g bioload would have difficulty fueling the reactor.

 

[Charlie117]

I would lean towards the skimmer. the cheato reactor is more maintenance and a 10g bioload would have difficulty fueling the reactor.

That’s would make sense, I only have a couple clowns so youre right bio load is tiny

 

[mta_morrow]

I would give it some time before I purchase either.

With only 2 clowns and weekly wc on a 10 gallon, you may not need either one.

 

[Paullawr]

I guess i can speak from experience as have a 10g with two clowns.

I run a glass mame skimmer, ultra compact and aquamedic s reactor.

I have ozone in to the skimmer, reactor has rox 0.8 and standard carbon, purigen and phosban. Small amounts changed every couple of weeks.
I also do a small two litre w/c daily. No issues at all.

 

[Montiman]

I am going to be a bit different and say that I think that the algae reactor will actually clean the water more but it will also be a big pain. On my 10 gallon Lifegard I use a Tunze 9001 and had a DIY chaeto reactor in the past. The chaeto reactor really helped get rid of nuisance algae and clean the tank but it was horrible to deal with. I am glad I no longer have it.

I have since added a fuge to one of the back chambers instead of the reactor and it is much better. I would discourage you from using a reactor but if you can find another way to add a fuge more power to ya.

 

[Charlie117]

Love the tank! And I’m going to monitor everything for a couple more weeks, my tank is two months old and so far nitrates will climb to about 2-5ppm by the time I do a water change. I’m probably just heavy handed with the feeding lol

 

[Charlie117]

I am going to be a bit different and say that I think that the algae reactor will actually clean the water more but it will also be a big pain. On my 10 gallon Lifegard I use a Tunze 9001 and had a DIY chaeto reactor in the past. The chaeto reactor really helped get rid of nuisance algae and clean the tank but it was horrible to deal with. I am glad I no longer have it.

I have since added a fuge to one of the back chambers instead of the reactor and it is much better. I would discourage you from using a reactor but if you can find another way to add a fuge more power to ya.

I could probably fit a fuge on the back I’m just not sure if the baffles in the back will get in the way of hanging it over the edge

 

[Paullawr]

I could probably fit a fuge on the back I’m just not sure if the baffles in the back will get in the way of hanging it over the edge

Depends on the fuge. They usually have thumb screws and pipe out tend to have a bit of clearance. If you can find someone who does custom builds you can ensure it will fit nice.

If going for a hang on fuge word of advice. Make sure your algae, ie chaeto is prevented from entering the return pipe. It happened to me and it emptied about 15 gallon on to floor whilst i was on holiday (of course whilst on holiday). Pipe was part blocked and input was greater than output, as such fuge vol raised and poured over sides. It only stopped when pump became exposed to air which at the time was about half way down old style rectangular aquarium.

I do nothing for nitrate in tank and haven't tested water parameters in about 8 months. I ought to check it really. Mind you i can tell when water isnt up to par by looking at it.

 

[Paullawr]

The clowns really do like being on camera!

I’ll do a water test tonight I think and see what it’s at. I did the whole chasing numbers early in in hobby and found it caused me more headaches than I gained from it.
I’m happy with nitrates being between 5-15ppm and phosphate being detectable. I did have a lot of sps in last tank and I was running it ulns, they were very pale. When I had a Dino outbreak I raised them and colours of corals started to pop. Since then I just run some media to keep levels from climbing but otherwise it remains fairly stable.

Enjoy your tank. Awesome hobby to be in. And remember when it goes south (it will), keep at it. Bouncing back makes you a better aquarist.

 

[Paullawr]

I am going to be a bit different and say that I think that the algae reactor will actually clean the water more but it will also be a big pain. On my 10 gallon Lifegard I use a Tunze 9001 and had a DIY chaeto reactor in the past. The chaeto reactor really helped get rid of nuisance algae and clean the tank but it was horrible to deal with. I am glad I no longer have it.

I have since added a fuge to one of the back chambers instead of the reactor and it is much better. I would discourage you from using a reactor but if you can find another way to add a fuge more power to ya.

One of the best parts about this hobby. No right nor wrong way. What works for you as they say.

 

[Arcticreefer]

Love the tank! And I’m going to monitor everything for a couple more weeks, my tank is two months old and so far nitrates will climb to about 2-5ppm by the time I do a water change. I’m probably just heavy handed with the feeding lol

2-5ppm nitrates is just about perfect. why do you want to mess with that?
I have the 20 gallon cube and dont run any skimmer or refuge. auto waterchanges and filterfloss keep it steady and thriving.

 

[Darth.Daddy12]

Okay. So I’m debating. I have a waterbox 10g and I have two options on some additional filtration, the goal is to keep my nitrates low, I already do a 50% WC weekly. Anyone have any experience, or any insight on which will work better, a reef glass nano protein skimmer, or an external chaeto reactor. They would cost be about the same at the end of the day and as I’m sure some of you know space is limited. Insight is much appreciated!

You won’t need a skimmer on a 10g tank it’s just extra costs. Throw in 2 bags of nano chemipure blue nano and be done. This will cover protein removal, pho’s removal and carbon for keeping water clear. Weekly 50% water changes are huge! You shouldn’t need to do this unless you’re way over feeding. Two clowns means two small pellets per day.

That said. I run a aquaclear 70 hob on a std 10g with 2 clowns two Chromis and a wrasse feed it enough every day to support a 75g tank with one full cube of misis or brine. Have sectioned off the filter as a fuge with a cheap $15 grow light and my tank is stable at 5ppm and <.1 pho’s. I do weekly water changes if 32oz and tank holds around 8g after rock and sand.. so not even 10%.

My cheato was the size of a golf ball 15 days ago and is now baseball size from 12w led amazon grow light.. and full of pods..

I’m not familiar with the waterbox cube but mist of the small all in ones allow for removal of the back light block covering. Would be $15 to super glue a small grow light behind the tank over on chamber. Couple small dabs in the corners and you can stilll remove it later if you need to for any reason wo destroying the tank. $7 Amazon light timer and done..

Take the money saved ca a protein skimmer or reactor and put it towards better testing equipment.

 

[Jay Z]

Personally with those water changes I would wait to see if you actually need anything else.

I will throw a third option out. I've always ran a separate canister filter loaded with ceramic balls (and the goofy shapes before balls) on all my tanks. Just ceramics, no foam or other filter material, can add carbon if wanted. Always been a firm believer in extra surface area for bacteria and pods.

I currently have a fx4 with 100 1 1/2" marine pure spheres in it (88 gallon total water volume, 3 tanks) Rated at 240sqft per ball, gives me in theory (I'm sure there numbers are inflated) 24000sqft of extra surface area. I honestly have no idea on what usable surface area on the setup is.

I can say if my 26 years of aquariums I have never had a complete crash, or any crash to be honest. Ive had issues with equipment or poor choices/forgetting, but have never lost a tank. Because of the extra filter setup? Probably not. But if it works, why change it. Least thats how I see it.

I do feel it is capable of softening spikes in the tank.

If I did add one to the setup you have I would run the canister wide open plumbed into the back of your aio.

 

[Darth.Daddy12]

I am going to be a bit different and say that I think that the algae reactor will actually clean the water more but it will also be a big pain. On my 10 gallon Lifegard I use a Tunze 9001 and had a DIY chaeto reactor in the past. The chaeto reactor really helped get rid of nuisance algae and clean the tank but it was horrible to deal with. I am glad I no longer have it.

I have since added a fuge to one of the back chambers instead of the reactor and it is much better. I would discourage you from using a reactor but if you can find another way to add a fuge more power to ya.

Fuge is 100% the way to go. Constantly stable tank able to handle more then you’ll ever be able to put into a nano tank. Least maintained and cheapest setup.

 

[Darth.Daddy12]

Depends on the fuge. They usually have thumb screws and pipe out tend to have a bit of clearance. If you can find someone who does custom builds you can ensure it will fit nice.

If going for a hang on fuge word of advice. Make sure your algae, ie chaeto is prevented from entering the return pipe. It happened to me and it emptied about 15 gallon on to floor whilst i was on holiday (of course whilst on holiday). Pipe was part blocked and input was greater than output, as such fuge vol raised and poured over sides. It only stopped when pump became exposed to air which at the time was about half way down old style rectangular aquarium.

I do nothing for nitrate in tank and haven't tested water parameters in about 8 months. I ought to check it really. Mind you i can tell when water isnt up to par by looking at it.

This shouldn’t be an issue with a waterbox cause the baffle to separate the display from filtration is made lower then the rim of the tank just for this reason. Worst case it would overflow back into the display.

 

[Jay Z]

This shouldn’t be an issue with a waterbox cause the baffle to separate the display from filtration is made lower then the rim of the tank just for this reason. Worst case it would overflow back into the display.

I put one on the side of my 45, pulls from rear sump, dumps back into main tank.

 

[Paullawr]

This shouldn’t be an issue with a waterbox cause the baffle to separate the display from filtration is made lower then the rim of the tank just for this reason. Worst case it would overflow back into the display.

Will have to look these up.

 

[Darth.Daddy12]

Will have to look these up.

They are nice tanks.. here a pic of what I’m talking about..

I think they are 100% starfire glass including the baffle piece.. I like Thier tanks a lot.. when I start comparing $-$ though it’s hard to not go jbj when going all in one and little larger. So much value for the money but you can’t know the quality of the waterbox tanks.. they are top notch..

 

[Paullawr]

They are nice tanks.. here a pic of what I’m talking about..

Oh...you mean the tank and add fuge inside?

I'm talking about a hang on fuge to an existing tank.

Yes my tank looks similar and could add a fuge in back compartment.