skimmer for 20G long

[Qasimja]

any recommendations for a skimmer for a 20g long reef? i was forced to move my 29g biocube into a 20g long cause the tank cracked one day and i just decided to keep it in there rather then buy another tank. Anyone recommend a good skimmer? and yes i understand i could go skimmerless and just do water changes lol not looking to spend over 200 thanks

 

[John A!10]

any recommendations for a skimmer for a 20g long reef? i was forced to move my 29g biocube into a 20g long cause the tank cracked one day and i just decided to keep it in there rather then buy another tank. Anyone recommend a good skimmer? and yes i understand i could go skimmerless and just do water changes lol not looking to spend over 200 thanks

What’s your bioload, and what filtration do you have now? I have a 29 g with 10g sump/fuge only a filter sock, chaeto and a lot of bio ball. I only do monthly water sometimes less (I dose if my params fall but most of the time I don’t have to) fish and coral are loving it. Bioload is two clowns and a firefish. The tank has been successfuly up and running for a year.
If you don’t have a sump it might look better to just have a diy hang on back fuge. Those HOB skimmers don’t work and the in tank just won’t look good. I had an in tank in the past and it just looked ugly.

 

[Qasimja]

What’s your bioload, and what filtration do you have now? I have a 29 g with 10g sump/fuge only a filter sock, chaeto and a lot of bio ball. I only do monthly water sometimes less (I dose if my params fall but most of the time I don’t have to) fish and coral are loving it. Bioload is two clowns and a firefish. The tank has been successfuly up and running for a year.
If you don’t have a sump it might look better to just have a diy hang on back fuge. Those HOB skimmers don’t work and the in tank just won’t look good. I had an in tank in the past and it just looked ugly.

Right now i just have 2 gold stripe maroon clownfish

 

[John A!10]

In tanks that size with no sump this is the one I see the most:
AQUATICLIFE 115 Mini Internal Protein Skimmer/Filter for Saltwater Aquariums, 30 Gallon, Perfect for Small, Nano Tanks

 

[Qasimja]

What’s your bioload, and what filtration do you have now? I have a 29 g with 10g sump/fuge only a filter sock, chaeto and a lot of bio ball. I only do monthly water sometimes less (I dose if my params fall but most of the time I don’t have to) fish and coral are loving it. Bioload is two clowns and a firefish. The tank has been successfuly up and running for a year.
If you don’t have a sump it might look better to just have a diy hang on back fuge. Those HOB skimmers don’t work and the in tank just won’t look good. I had an in tank in the past and it just looked ugly.

oh also i just have lr about 20-25lbs ls 10lbs and a hang on back filter at the moment

 

[John A!10]

oh also i just have lr about 20-25lbs ls 10lbs and a hang on back filter at the moment

I ran my 29 like that for a while. It’s really up to you if you want a skimmer or not. When I first started my 29 I had a manor skimmer. After a year I took it out because it didn’t look good, and was a pain to clean.

 

[King_Acidic]

Just to throw out an option that might work for you and is the same one I'm planning to run when I set up my 29g is the Seachem Tidal 35 HOB. It has a built in surface skimmer and should do what you need. BRS has them listed for about $45 which would also fit the budget for you.

 

[John A!10]

Just to throw out an option that might work for you and is the same one I'm planning to run when I set up my 29g is the Seachem Tidal 35 HOB. It has a built in surface skimmer and should do what you need. BRS has them listed for about $45 which would also fit the budget for you.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think this is a protein skimmer. If you have good flow surface skimmers aren’t really necessary. Since he already has an hob I wouldn’t buy another one. If he wants to add filtration he should buy a protein skimmer.

 

[King_Acidic]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think this is a protein skimmer. If you have good flow surface skimmers aren’t really necessary. Since he already has an hob I wouldn’t buy another one. If he wants to add filtration he should buy a protein skimmer.

My understanding of the way this was designed is that the skimmer will sit just below the waterline and collect most proteins that are found in the water column. I suggested it based on that as well as maintaining a cleaner appearance as opposed to a HOB and skimmer both being visible in the tank. I'm personally planning to run the 75g version for my 29g to make sure I have the cleanest water possible without having too much visible equipment.

 

[John A!10]

My understanding of the way this was designed is that the skimmer will sit just below the waterline and collect most proteins that are found in the water column.

Unfortunately that’s not the way it works. The surface skimmer catches things that are on the upper layer of the water such as surface film or algae. Proteins will only rise to the top on bubbles and even if it did catch the proteins the only way to remove them is through a skimmer. There is no mechanical filtration to remove proteins.

 

[LetItReef]

Check out the K1 nano skimmer.

 

[King_Acidic]

Unfortunately that’s not the way it works. The surface skimmer catches things that are on the upper layer of the water such as surface film or algae. Proteins will only rise to the top on bubbles and even if it did catch the proteins the only way to remove them is through a skimmer. There is no mechanical filtration to remove proteins.

That makes sense. I misunderstood the way it was designed. I planned to run chemi-pure blue with filter floss in my setup so I may have to re-evaluate my plan.

 

[John A!10]

That makes sense. I misunderstood the way it was designed. I planned to run chemi-pure blue with filter floss in my setup so I may have to re-evaluate my plan.

Depending on the size of your tank you don’t necessarily need a skimmer if you can keep up with water changes and nutrient export.

 

[King_Acidic]

Depending on the size of your tank you don’t necessarily need a skimmer if you can keep up with water changes and nutrient export.

I'm starting off with a 29g and probably will move everything at some point to my 55g that currently houses a freshwater tropical community.

 

[John A!10]

I'm starting off with a 29g and probably will move everything at some point to my 55g that currently houses a freshwater tropical community.

I have a 29g with 10g sump and I DON’T use a skimmer. This depends on your schedule and equipment. I have the time to do water changes every other week and I don’t use a skimmer. I also have the bins and ro system to make enough saltwater. If you want to do less frequent water changes I would get a skimmer especially if you don’t have a refugium.