Suggestions for new skimmer

[Allen Cox]

I have a 29 gallon Biocube that I drilled and have a sump in the stand. The total water volume is 40 to 45 gallons. I have a very old Euro Reef skimmer that is rated for 90 gallons in the sump. The skimmer has never done well on this set up, but for the last few months it has been hardly pulling any skim mate at all. I'm looking to buy an in sump skimmer that is rated for my size set up. I'm looking for suggestions for a good skimmer. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Mark Bianco]

Before any recommendations can be made it its important for us to know two things.

How large is the area you have to put in a skimmer in the sump?
What is the bio load of your tank? (Heavily stocked ect)

Mark

 

[Allen Cox]

The skimmer section of my sump is 10 inches by 10 inches. I wouldn't say my bio load is high. I have two clowns, a bicolor Blennie, and a cleaner shrimp, some snails, and corals, in a 29 gallon

 

[Mark Bianco]

I like these two skimmers the second would be my choice IF you can fit it in your sump its about 11 x 7” so you need to turn it slightly angled that MIGHT work. I had the same skimmer but in the recicalating style on a 40gl frag and a 50gl sump and it was fantastic.



https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-bh50-multi-mount-protein-skimmer.html



https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-110-4-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html

 

[Gareth elliott]

Is the water level adjustable on the skimmer section?
If not regardless of skimmer would recommend a stand, even if just egg crate and legs. Will provide more adjustment room if the compartment is towards the high end of the skimmers effective water level.

 

[Rick Krejci]

Reef Octopus 110 SSS is a great skimmer rated well above your system. Very quiet!

 

[Allen Cox]

Garett Elliot, no the water level is not adjustable. Are the reef octopus skimmers better than the Tunze skimmers?

 

[Allen Cox]

The water level in my skimmer section is not adjustable. Are the reef octopus skimmers better than the Tunze skimmers?

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Look into a Aqua Maxx WS-1 I just bought one for my IM Lagoon 25 Nano

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Another vote for the Reef Octopus 110SSS. I have the 150SSS on my 75g. Really liking it so far. Its going to be a beast once I have a bio load in the tank, already skims like crazy with no live stock in the tank. Very quiet as well.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

<-- Throws hat in the ring

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Almost any Euro Reef skimmer is oversized for your setup and it will perform poorly. It would be like a nurse coming in with a 5 gallon bucket for a tick test and tell to fill it up. There is a guy from NY City that rock a Bio Cube and he is now selling it I would copy what he did. If I find the thread I will share it with you.

 

[Forsaken77]

I would use a smaller skimmer that's rated for your size tank. Don't over size it if you want it to perform normally. You have a light bioload. Maybe AquaMaxx NF-1? The AquaMaxx WS-1 is a good skimmer but may be to big.

 

[Erica-Renee]

I have to ask . With that size of tank what are your Nutrient levels. Water change regime and so on. Maybe your skimmer is not pulling much because there is Nothing for it to pull out. Also a skimmer over sized will never work correctly..

With the issues and maintenance of a skimmer i would not use one on such a small tank..Water changes would be a much better solution in my opinion ..

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have a 29 gallon Biocube that I drilled and have a sump in the stand. The total water volume is 40 to 45 gallons. I have a very old Euro Reef skimmer that is rated for 90 gallons in the sump. The skimmer has never done well on this set up, but for the last few months it has been hardly pulling any skim mate at all. I'm looking to buy an in sump skimmer that is rated for my size set up. I'm looking for suggestions for a good skimmer. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

What is the problem with the skimmer?
1) Not making enough bubbles and/or not adjustable enough?
A) Get a new skimmer
2)makes good bubbles but no skimmate?
A) Your skimmer is too big for your water volume. If this is the case and it makes any skimmate at all, that probably all you can expect from a clean running 29g cube that isn't overstocked.

 

[Allen Cox]

I have to ask . With that size of tank what are your Nutrient levels. Water change regime and so on. Maybe your skimmer is not pulling much because there is Nothing for it to pull out. Also a skimmer over sized will never work correctly..

With the issues and maintenance of a skimmer i would not use one on such a small tank..Water changes would be a much better solution in my opinion ..

I'm not sure what my nutrient levels are because I have not tested in a while. I have been doing a 10 gallon water change ever week. I'm assuming I have either high nitrates or Phosphates because I am having a bad hair algae problem.

 

[Allen Cox]

What is the problem with the skimmer?
1) Not making enough bubbles and/or not adjustable enough?
A) Get a new skimmer
2)makes good bubbles but no skimmate?
A) Your skimmer is too big for your water volume. If this is the case and it makes any skimmate at all, that probably all you can expect from a clean running 29g cube that isn't overstocked.

It is not making enough bubbles. Maybe I need to clean the pump or something, but even when it was making more bubbles I wasn't getting much skimmate. Now I'm just not getting anything.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

Start with a vinegar bath of the pump, as well as a good hot rinse of the air system (venturi, tubing, silencer if there is one). Once clean blow into the air silencer and make sure its easy for air to move through it without resistance.

 

[slayertx]

I just want to state I bought a simplicity aquatics skimmer almost a year ago and it's been running strong with no problems.

 

[slayertx]

I just want to state I bought a simplicity aquatics skimmer almost a year ago and it's been running strong with no problems.

 

[slayertx]

I just want to state I bought a simplicity aquatics skimmer almost a year ago and it's been running strong with no problems.

 

[slayertx]

<-- Throws hat in the ring

Just wanted to say I have been running a simplicity aquatics skimmer for a year now and it's been very good to me. My demands have changed and my I am definitely getting another larger one.