Skimmer yes or no?
- Thread starter Mil26
- Start date
- Tagged users None
hybridazn
Acro killer.....
It depends on bio load and how much you feed the tank. Also how often do you plan to do a water change if at all? If a small amount of fish with light feedings you can most def keep up with water changes if you do them weekly. If you want to do them bi weekly or monthly I would consider a skimmer.
I only have 2 clowns and corals I do a 5g weekly water change or 2 times a week of 2.5g water change I feed twice a day only throw in what they can eat like 5-7 1mm pebble of new life spectrum
Waters
"...in perfect isolation, here behind my wall."
Should you try a skimmer?.....sure, it isn't going to hurt as it will only improve the water quality. Do you need one?...like it was already stated, it depends on the bio load on the tank....although a 20 is small enough to maintain with normal water changes.
No need for a skimmer, its easy for you to take care of water quality issues by just doin water changes.
After displacement, your less that 15g of water, depending on how much rock and sand is used. Skimmer isn't needed.
After displacement, your less that 15g of water, depending on how much rock and sand is used. Skimmer isn't needed.
Oscaror
Back In It
Ignore hat I said I was just joking around
A skimmer is definitely a great tool to have, but there's absolutely no reason why you couldn't create a happy healthy reef tank in a 120 without a skimmer. It basically all depends on you. (husbandry) GL.
Last edited:
EzraZamir
Community Member
I have 4 tanks. 60, 30, 15, 10. The only one that needs a skimmer is the 60. All others did great with good filter floss and weekly water changes. I tried a couple nano skimmers. They removed some stuff, but constantly overflowed and I just gave up. I couldn't get them dialed in even after the break in period.
Tek
Well-Known Member
Unless you overstock and over feed the skimmer is not needed. Sounds like you do not have a problem with either.
I removed the skimmer in my 30G since it was not skimming much even with 5 fish and nitrates remained undetectable. The tank was too clean for SPS so I went from weekly WC to monthly.
I removed the skimmer in my 30G since it was not skimming much even with 5 fish and nitrates remained undetectable. The tank was too clean for SPS so I went from weekly WC to monthly.
Midrats
Valuable Member
A skimmer is a good insurance policy, even with good husbandry. They are a fun piece of equipment too. There is something satisfying about watching the foam rise and fall and eventually get pushed into the cup. There are plenty out there that will work well on a 20g tank. Get one that is appropriately sized for your tank for consistent skimmate production.
With that bio-load and your water change schedule you probably don't need a skimmer, but it's not going to hurt the tank if you wanted to add one. Could just be extra maintenance cleaning out the skimmer and cup rather than actually making a truly noticeable difference.
broskie
Active Member
Until my 60g is cycled I made a quick DIY skimmer. It was made from an extra gravel vac, air stone w/tubing, air pump, zip ties, old heater holder, and old water bottle. For the most part it does a decent job as long as your good with keeping your water level the same each day (I have to top off daily). Most days its a really dark tea but occasionally I get a nice thick gunk known in skimmers. The only reason I made it was because I had the parts laying around but would assume you could build one for around $10. Sorry for the crappy pic but you get the point. Now for my 60G I have a Bubble Magus Curve
RMS18
I keep water chemistry as my hobby
For the size tank you have you can grab a bio cube skimmer for 30 bucks. Like everyone said is it needed no, but for 30-70 bucks for a decent skimmer and better water quality why not. We spend at times more than that on a fish, 2 designer clowns cost more. I added one even tho my parameters were fine and the gunk it pulls out is gunk that didn't end up in my filter or in the tank some place.
