skimmer question

[D.Barta]

20 gallon tank,25Lbs live rock,emp.400.Just wanting info on what skimmer to get once I start adding corals to this system. Was recomended a corallife super skimmer(65 GALLONS) by LFS.would this be to much skimmer and if I added it would I still need emp.400 since I have 25 Lbs live rock plus more once I start adding coral which would act as biological filter? Thanks for your input !

[SABOB]

Once you have a good skimmer you could remove the emp 400.I've heard good things about the Coralife skimmer and you want as god of skimmer you can afford.I'm sure others will respnd also.

[erick]

Save up your $$$ and invest in a good skimmer, it'll pay off in the long run. Remora's, etc.. cost $$$, but are well worth it.

[tony]

the coralife is too big for that tank IMO and waaaaay to finnicky

get a remora or bakpak

[RayAllen]

You will get mixed responses on what skimmer to get. I personally think the coral life will be fine, but as stated the Remora is a better product and will pay for it self with the amount of skim mate produced.

[Zoofan]

You might work into it slowly. Depending on how heavy you want to stock the tank and with what, you might consider going without. I have a 24g without a skimmer. IMO you don't want to overskim with the LFS advice.

Mike

[erikharrison]

I think it would work just fine, I used mine on a 20g tall for a few months. Like Tony said they are very finicky, but once you get the level right, as long as you keep the tank at that same level via topping off, you should be a-ok. Main thing is the bioload. The bigger you have, the larger skimmer you will need. For the price the CSS is a great skimmer! Honestly, if you aren't doing SPS, and you have a minute bio-load, you could probably get away with just doing water changes. If this is your first tank, and you feel a skimmer is needed, get a Coralife, because you will more than likely get a bigger tank down the road. :)


I have a CSS 220 on my 75 gallon, and my water could not be in better shape.
Oh, and if you want to do some hard corals and anemones, you could get a viper K2 metal halide. You could get the smaller one and probably be very pleased.

Despite all of what I just said, a Remora is a GREAT skimmer for a tank that size as well.

[D.Barta]

Anyone know anything about the rio nano skimmer I was shown one at aquarium Desighns he said it was a great skimmer I also looked at the bacpac skimmer.

[coraline79]

I have the Rio Nano Skimmer, and I love it!! I have to put some filter foam in the return to prevent micro bubbles, and I added a piece of air hose with a adjustable valve (99cents). once I added these almost free items, it has worked perfectly, and silently. If if does fail on me at some point, I really wouldn't mind because it would take 3-5 of these to equal the price of just 1 aqua c product or the cpr backpack. It really is a no brainer, I have a ton of pics. I think there is a stigma about using rio products, but I have never had a problem with them.


I currently have 5 tanks(only one salt-3 months), and my oldest freshwater has been up for 22 years.

Saltwater Tank:
29 gallon long
coralife Aqualife Deluxe pc 192w
2 inches livesand
26 lbs liverock
emperor 280(probably going to remove as tank is established)
rio nano skimmer
2 rio power heads
Cleaning Crew
Algae Blenny
Damsel
No corals yet-but will be within 30 days.