small protein skimmer

[Nem0]

hey guys, i want to get a protein skimmer. I have a fluval 9gallon flex AIO and have an empty back compartment that is 2.5x4.5x13. i know that is VERY small. i was shopping online and it seems like all the skimmers that are for nano tanks are 3-3.5x3-3.5 minimum... i would prefer not having the protein skimmer on the side of the tank for aesthethic purposes.

are there any skimmers that yall know of which may fit? or will i likely have to get a HOB on, such as https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocea...otein+skimmer&qid=1551858530&s=gateway&sr=8-6

 

[James M]

Any specific reason you want a skimmer ?
The IO skimmer is junk don’t buy it

 

[Nem0]

Any specific reason you want a skimmer ?
The IO skimmer is junk don’t buy it

good to know and yeah i just have a lot of small particles in my water that im looking to get rid of, plus my return pump/suction isnt too good at getting food waste and poop out of the tank

 

[James M]

What type of me mechanical filtration are you using ?

 

[Star reefer3]

Reef glass skimmer should work

 

[Star reefer3]

Reef glass skimer willwork its 1.25 by 1.25 inches an its a beast i have one and it skims really well

 

[Nem0]

What type of me mechanical filtration are you using ?

I have just filter foam / filter floss right now

 

[Gareth elliott]

Might just be my experience but on a tank that size (mine was 6 gallons more) that a protein skimmer really isnt needed. Rock, powerheads and a good water change schedule were all that i needed to keep nutrients in check. Great thing about a 9 gallon tank is one 5 gallon jug of saltwater and you just halved your nitrate level.

Also i had the worst luck with nano skimmers, i think if i added up all the ones i bought or all the wooden air-stones i went through, could have bought an aws that would have been 100x more effective.

my experience anyway with nano skimmers.

 

[Nem0]

Might just be my experience but on a tank that size (mine was 6 gallons more) that a protein skimmer really isnt needed. Rock, powerheads and a good water change schedule were all that i needed to keep nutrients in check. Great thing about a 9 gallon tank is one 5 gallon jug of saltwater and you just halved your nitrate level.

Also i had the worst luck with nano skimmers, i think if i added up all the ones i bought or all the wooden air-stones i went through, could have bought an aws that would have been 100x more effective.

my experience anyway with nano skimmers.

i mean hell, i'll save $60!!! i just saw a lot of people with fluval evo 13.5s that they were using skimmers and it seemed to work! guess it isn't needed!

 

[Star reefer3]

i mean hell, i'll save $60!!! i just saw a lot of people with fluval evo 13.5s that they were using skimmers and it seemed to work! guess it isn't needed!

I dont know imo a skimmer is a price less piece of equipment

 

[Water Dog]

In a small tank, a skimmer’s value is questionable at best. Nano skimmers are notorious poor and inefficient performers. As said earlier, routine water changes in a 9 gallon tank will be more than enough to maintain a thriving reef environment. Also, with warmer weather on the horizon, that’s one less source of heat transfer in your nano tank.

 

[jfree07]

I would go skimmerless, but if you must I will also vote for the reef glass.

 

[Adamantium]

Reef glass skimer willwork its 1.25 by 1.25 inches an its a beast i have one and it skims really well

I literally have one of these waiting at my doorstep right now. How's the skimmate it pulls out? Really watery, or relatively dark?

 

[Star reefer3]

I literally have one of these waiting at my doorstep right now. How's the skimmate it pulls out? Really watery, or relatively dark?

Pretty dark I'll post a pic in a bit it's pretty beastly it's easy to tune and it works pretty dang good

 

[Star reefer3]

I literally have one of these waiting at my doorstep right now. How's the skimmate it pulls out? Really watery, or relatively dark?

And the skimmate is like light chocolate brown but can be adjusted to more watery or more foamy

 

[Adamantium]

And the skimmate is like light chocolate brown but can be adjusted to more watery or more foamy

Nice! Thanks! Super excited to finally have a decent skimmer. My current skimmer is this piece of crap coralife one that is designed for their biocubes. Terrible skimmer.

 

[Star reefer3]

Nice! Thanks! Super excited to finally have a decent skimmer. My current skimmer is this piece of crap coralife one that is designed for their biocubes. Terrible skimmer.

Yea reef glass is the way to go luckily it was the first one I found so I dint waste any money on crappy skimmers

 

[Adamantium]

Yea reef glass is the way to go luckily it was the first one I found so I dint waste any money on crappy skimmers

Thankfully, this piece of junk was only $35, so not a huge loss. Still a bummer, though.

 

[Star reefer3]

Thankfully, this piece of junk was only $35, so not a huge loss. Still a bummer, though.

True sadly my skimmer broke for some reason but I fixed it with zap glue

 

[Nem0]

any of you guys have experience or knowledge about the RO NS80 skimmer? https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/n...MIxoe4vIf04AIVlFqGCh3M6gJnEAAYASAAEgLM0vD_BwE