small skimmers?

[Crab Rangoon]

are there any small skimmers? I haven't checked out much, but I just would be interested in getting one for my 10gallon. Also, are skilters anygood? My very cheap friend was looking at the prices for skimmers and decided since he has to buy a filter, why not buy that combo :\ but I know nothing about them.

[JimD]

Some folks would say that the Skilter is one step below a Seaclone, which doesnt have the best reputation among reefers in the know. Checkout the Coralife "super skimmer" online and also, I know Tunze makes a decent in tank skimmer for small systems. I have both.

[Pacman]

I had a skilter once. The only thing it did well was make a lot of noise and spit bubbles into the tank. It did not skim. Seaclone is better, in that some waste is removed (but it's very finnicky, and won't stay dialed in for long). IME, the CPR backpack was the best I tried, but I that was a few years ago and I think there's better stuff out there now.

Matt

[cailan]

i have a cpr bakpak on my 30 gallon and im happy with it so far.

[Andrew]

skilters are one step below a cowpie.

My opinion of the following hang on skimmers:

sea clone - one step above stated cowpie (still pretty raunchy)

cpr bak pak - good for small tanks (20 gallons and less), or for lightly stocked tanks. If you go with this skimmer, get the version with maxi jet 1200, it greatly outperforms the rio. This is an OK skimmer in my experience, it needs less frequent adjustment than seaclone or skilter, more than remora.

aqua-c remora (w/maxi-jet 1200) - good for up to 40 gallons, or lightly stocked 55-75. the aqua c skimmers rarely need adjustment.

aqua-c remora pro (w/magdrive3) - good for tanks 75-100 gallons (may or may not be enough depending on stocking level).The aqua-c remora pro skimmers are probably the best hang on skimmer out there. A little overkill for a ten gallon though.

I've also heard the precision marine HOT-1 is good on smaller tanks.
Generally, you get what you pay for in this hobby. Cheap stuff is usually "cheap", expensive stuff is often excellant.

If you're still unsure, ask those on this board who have the skimmers you're interested in, if you can check theirs out in action.

HTH

Andrew

[JimD]

I tried the Maxi 1200 conversion on my Bakpak and found it to not perform nearly as well as the Rio, what I noticed was much more flow and way less contact time, IMO. The airstone modification is what really made the thing skim. Im still using the Rio after three years on a 20 gallon tank with a single Piccaso trigger. It does an ok job at best with such a load. I use a PM-HOT-1 on my main tank, 65 gallon and it kicks major butt...

[sharkie]

Hi Randy...

I was reading that for a tank that size, you really don't need a skimmer. Just keep up with weekly water changes and don't overfeed. Is there a reasaon why your friend wants a skimmer? Or do you know something that I don't? ;)

chiu

[JimD]

I think hes gonna put like half dozen tangs in there... lol

[Crab Rangoon]

I guess I'll tell my friend no about the skilter then ;) anyhow, as of about an hour ago, I'm runing the super-old-school Sanders Aquatechnik Type-250 on my 10gallon. I read up on somebody using this on an 8 or 10 gallon, which its rated for larger, and they loved it, for it pulled out a LOT of stuff. I guess mine'll be more effective tomorrow when I put a new wooden airstone on(rather than the ollllllllllllllld almost nonfunctioning one currently). I was askin about the skilter cuz my friends a total newb, and he mentioned that product, which I'd never heard of before. We're still trying to figure out the ideal setup (equipment, equip placement, and flow) for his tank, which is a 25-30gal hex :\ not the best tank to use, but its all he's got. If any of you have a hex tank setup, please PM me with pics or details, I've got some questions.

[CD]

I think hes gonna put like half dozen tangs in there... lol

LMAO
...<blows whistle> Heh...Ten yard penalty on JimD for unnecessary roughness ;-)

Wendy

[Andrew]

Joshua,

actually, yes. have you seen it? ;

it stinks

Andrew

[sithspeed]

I like my skilter. It works great on my 29g.

[~TG~]

We're still trying to figure out the ideal setup (equipment, equip placement, and flow) for his tank, which is a 25-30gal hex :\ not the best tank to use, but its all he's got. If any of you have a hex tank setup, please PM me with pics or details, I've got some questions.


Hi Randy :D
You might want to PM 1salt (Daniel-he was at the meeting) he's got a 65 gallon Hex stocked up with Liverock, Corals, Fish and a whole bunch of other stuff ~ ;)
I think it's a really nice established tank he's got there. I'm sure he won't mind giving you all some info ;)

~Thelma

[Crab Rangoon]

thanks, I'll contact him :D