protien skimmer

[rkseaslug]

Do you have to have skimmer running 24 hours a day? Would it be a bad idea to run 12 hours a day?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

You could do that but why would you want to do that if I may ask?

 

[skinz78]

I would leave it running. Not only is it pulling gunk but it is helping to add oxygen to the water.

 

[rynosaurus]

Speaking of skimmers, does anyone have a recommendation for a 12g tank. Or is a skimmer crucial for a tank that small?

 

[nate's reef]

Keeping the skimmer off a few hours probably isn't a bad idea, especially after feeding sps. Maybe hook it to your timer so it shuts off when the lights go off, then feed the tank when both are off. You'll get more food into their mouths and less in the skimmer, but it certainly isn't something everyone does. Most people do spend some time with the skimmer off with the intent of feeding sps

 

[nate's reef]

Speaking of skimmers, does anyone have a recommendation for a 12g tank. Or is a skimmer crucial for a tank that small?

I like a skimmer in my 10g. I use a cheap 30g aquatic life (that might just be my ro brand I'm not positive) that turns 90g an hour. I run this in a 70g aquaclear hob and it fits in perfectly with chemipure blue. It was ~$50 on Amazon so you don't need one crazy expensive imo

 

[rynosaurus]

I like a skimmer in my 10g. I use a cheap 30g aquatic life (that might just be my ro brand I'm not positive) that turns 90g an hour. I run this in a 70g aquaclear hob and it fits in perfectly with chemipure blue. It was ~$50 on Amazon so you don't need one crazy expensive imo

So u run a protein skimmer inside of a hob filter?

 

[rynosaurus]

I was looking At that exact skimmer yesterday but wondered if it would fit in my tank or not.

 

[nate's reef]

So u run a protein skimmer inside of a hob filter?

Yes, mostly just for looks. It is a small skimmer but still too large to go inside a 10g. Probably wouldn't be as bad in something larger. I highly recommend that skimmer, it works extremely well

 

[rynosaurus]

Yes, mostly just for looks. It is a small skimmer but still too large to go inside a 10g. Probably wouldn't be as bad in something larger. I highly recommend that skimmer, it works extremely well

Any chance u have a guess on the demensions width and length I wonder if it will fit in the overflow that's built into my tank

 

[nate's reef]

Any chance u have a guess on the demensions width and length I wonder if it will fit in the overflow that's built into my tank

Mine is about 3x3 inches and 8 inches tall. I know it fits in many reef ready nano set ups but you may need some mods

 

[Rattzreef]

Look into a reef glass skimmer for nano tanks.. Pretty straight forward glass tube and an air stone.. small footprint too.. think I may grab one for my 10g actually..
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/reef-glass-skimmer-kit-includes-air-pump-tubing.html

 

[stevo01]

24/7 unless using meds.

 

[stevo01]

And even with meds only a few days with the cup pulled or restrict the air so as the skimmer doesnt overflow.

 

[nate's reef]

Look into a reef glass skimmer for nano tanks.. Pretty straight forward glass tube and an air stone.. small footprint too.. think I may grab one for my 10g actually..
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/reef-glass-skimmer-kit-includes-air-pump-tubing.html

The only problem then is you need a wood block (replaced biweekly) not an airstone to get decent micro bubbles, where this (i believe) uses a needle wheel impeller

 

[rynosaurus]

I agree the fact that it doesn't need air stone or wood block replaced all the time is why I was looking into that one you have nate.
What's the point in turning the skimmer off? Don't u want your water as clean as possible?

 

[nate's reef]

I agree the fact that it doesn't need air stone or wood block replaced all the time is why I was looking into that one you have nate.
What's the point in turning the skimmer off? Don't u want your water as clean as possible?

It's not really something you need to do, but letting some gunk build up can give the corals a good food source as long as it's not too dirty. In a nano you don't really need a skimmer so leaving it off is unlikely to hurt things. I wouldn't say you should or shouldn't, just preference