Purchasing protein skimmers

[Sirsmiley9]

Just looking for the best place to buy a protein skimmer I dont have much of a budget and would like to spend something around 40-80 and its for a nuvo mini 40 gallon it would go in the small sump in the back just a good brand suggestion

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

You're pretty limited on options with those small compartments.

I don't know of any manufactured protein skimmers that fit you're budget let alone that compartment as well.

That being said, and if you're not going to go with innovative marines protein skimmer, I would look into diy options.

I saw a diy skimmer for a nano tank that didn't look like much more than a vial and an air stone.
I doubt however that it would be very adept at handling a 40 gallon bio load.

 

[Sirsmiley9]

Would it be ok to have an underpowered filter something like the 30 gallon aquatic life or Coralife protein skimmer

 

[tdileo]

You can have an underpowered skimmer if you don't have a lot of fish. For a 40G that means no more than like 4 smaller fish

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Would it be ok to have an underpowered filter something like the 30 gallon aquatic life or Coralife protein skimmer

Any filter is better than no filter, so long as it functions, am I right?

One of the glories of those tanks is how compartmentalized and efficient looking they are.

If I had an underpowered protein skimmer that fit, I would run it because it's better than nothing.

However, if I didn't have one, and was planning on purchasing one, I would just go without until I got the one I really wanted.

If you do regular water changes and watch your parameters, you can get away without one just fine, but this also depends on your goals for the tank.

I'd just wait to get the one Innovative Marine made for these tanks. It won't be a big deal if you watch the tank and do your water changes on time.

 

[Sirsmiley9]

what would be a good brand also is there any reason innovative marine is better than any of the other brands

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

what would be a good brand also is there any reason innovative marine is better than any of the other brands

What are the dimensions of your skimmer chamber? I can't seem to find them.

I'm sure that their are better manufacturers than IM, but I know you have a very limited skimmer section.

I don't know that Cora life is better, I so far have zero experience with either of them for protein skimmers. But I do know, that IM makes a skimmer for that tank, which they also make.

 

[Sirsmiley9]

http://www.innovative-marine.com/nuvo-aquarium/specs/mini-40-spec-sheet.pdf Here are the dimensions

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I think you're going to have a real challenge fitting anything in there.
I would just buy the one they made to fit.

 

[Sirsmiley9]

ok its still a good protein skimmer though i would hope for 150 it would be a quality skimmer

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

ok its still a good protein skimmer though i would hope for 150 it would be a quality skimmer

I agree completely, I'm just pointing out that you'd have a heck of a time finding one that would fit, let alone work optimally in there.

I hope I've been helpful. Best of luck.

 

[Sirsmiley9]

thank you glad I have atleast a brand do look at

 

[Gweeds1980]

thank you glad I have atleast a brand do look at

Have you tried the classifieds on here, eBay etc for a second hand one? Usually save you around 50% which would then fit in your budget.

 

[Gweeds1980]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/222595240475

 

[Forsaken77]

ok its still a good protein skimmer though i would hope for 150 it would be a quality skimmer

If it's the Ghost Skimmer, they stink. Don't even waste your money. Yes, they make it for their own tanks, but it doesn't work well at all. Usually, just so you have an idea, a functional protein skimmer usually starts around $200 for a cheaper model. It may be better to look at the Aquamaxx HOB skimmers at marinedepot.com. They are cheap and actually work. The only thing is that it couldn't fit in the back. It would have to go on the sides.

I mean, it's only 40 gallons, and you could easily get away without one if you changed a 5 gallon bucket every week. Save the money and just stay on top of the 5 gallons a week and you'll be fine. My brother has 2 Ghost Skimmers on his Nuvo and hates them because they don't work well.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

If it's the Ghost Skimmer, they stink. Don't even waste your money. Yes, they make it for their own tanks, but it doesn't work well at all. Usually, just so you have an idea, a functional protein skimmer usually starts around $200 for a cheaper model. It may be better to look at the Aquamaxx HOB skimmers at marinedepot.com. They are cheap and actually work. The only thing is that it couldn't fit in the back. It would have to go on the sides.

I mean, it's only 40 gallons, and you could easily get away without one if you changed a 5 gallon bucket every week. Save the money and just stay on top of the 5 gallons a week and you'll be fine. My brother has 2 Ghost Skimmers on his Nuvo and hates them because they don't work well.

Firsthand experience is always more reliable than speculation!
Thank you very much for the input.

That's kind of disappointing.
I have one of their nano AIO's, and had kind of been thinking about a ghost skimmer later on for greater stability, but if they're really that disappointing of performers, I bet I could get similar results with like a quart or two a day water change.

 

[Sirsmiley9]

That is sad to here but while i was looking at protein skimmer i found the hydor slim skim would that be any good or would it still be better to try and save also 5 gallons a week seems like very little compared to freshwater any reason

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I have the larger version of the hydor slim skimmer, I don't think it's worth it's weight in plastic. Also they don't sell replacement pumps for either of their models which is a major con if you ask me.

 

[Forsaken77]

That is sad to here but while i was looking at protein skimmer i found the hydor slim skim would that be any good or would it still be better to try and save also 5 gallons a week seems like very little compared to freshwater any reason

Well you're supposed to change 10% of the water weekly. In your case would be 4 gallons, which is why I said a 5 gallon bucket. Don't forget that you also have filter media in the back that needs to be changed out and that also filters the water. A skimmer isn't the only filtration method.

Without a skimmer I would definitely try to have around 40 pounds of rock in the tank for more biological filtration, plus you can put some Marine Pure media in the back, or Seachem Matrix, for additional bio filtration.

One thing my brother told me is that a lot of detritus builds up in the back compartments. So keep in mind you'll have to clean that area out, in addition to regular water changes, every once in a while. Just make sure you keep it accessible to reach.

You could google if there's other skimmers that would fit into your tank. I know I read there are certain Tunze skimmers that fit IM tanks, I just don't know what size IM tanks they fit.

 

[Forsaken77]

Firsthand experience is always more reliable than speculation!
Thank you very much for the input.

That's kind of disappointing.
I have one of their nano AIO's, and had kind of been thinking about a ghost skimmer later on for greater stability, but if they're really that disappointing of performers, I bet I could get similar results with like a quart or two a day water change.

Yea, one of his Ghost Skimmers malfunctioned and dumped all of the skim mate back into the tank, killing most of his Acroporas. IM replaced the skimmer and he added a second because of the inefficiency, and they still stink.

I could almost equate it to those Fluval nano skimmers. But because it's the only option for most of their tanks, they can charge what they want.