Too Skim or not too Skim

stagger19 · 09/14/2008, 08:07 PM

Hey Everybody, Quick question here...

on a 55 FOWLR, could I skip a skimmer if I do weekly 10% WC,
and keep a light bioload?

black_majik · 09/14/2008, 08:10 PM

Really up to you. Skim or not skimming you should be doing 10 % changes either way so...

I would skim though for the quality of life for the inhabitants.

Mr James · 09/14/2008, 08:15 PM

Light bio-loads change soon and you will be looking for ways to get rid of your hair algae. I would skim, do the weekly water changes, use RO/DI water and have good water movement.

Leave the non-skimming to guys who have been around the block a few times.

stagger19 · 09/14/2008, 08:24 PM

Explains why I always seem to have a Hair algea problem then LOL.

My situation is that due to space I cant have my tank too far from the wall, and I dont want to go with a sump.

Of the HOB skimmers, which ones are pretty effective in the slim models. My choices would be...

The Aqua-C Remora- I dont like, since it requires the big unsighly power head in the tank

Red Sea Prizm Deluze- I heard a lot of bad things on this skimmer and how it needs to be adjusted constantly

bacpak- I think this would fit but not sure how effective this would be?

Any other suggestions on slim (~3") thick skimmers that work well???

Thanks in Advance...

black_majik · 09/14/2008, 08:40 PM

I never had issues with the Prizm models.

Mr James · 09/14/2008, 09:11 PM

Since you have made up your mind to go with a HOB, get an Octopus 300F...I think. A friend down the road has one on a 75g predator tank. Killer skimmer and cheaper than an Aqua C. Don't waste you time and money with cheap skimmers. Read here on RC what is considered cheap and pitiful.

Edit: The skimmer is an Octopus BH300

reefnetworth · 09/14/2008, 09:14 PM

the bacpak is a diatom holding tank, and a pain to keep adjusted. i had one, and traded it for frags!

you might have to put a hang-on on the back side of one end of the tank.

there are some that work great and some that s--k. you can "poll" those who own a hang-on starting a new thread.

Curve · 09/14/2008, 09:36 PM

I don't skim on any of my tanks and I have no problems at all.

Mr James · 09/14/2008, 09:37 PM

But will he??

Nanook · 09/14/2008, 09:41 PM

Always skim, IMO, IME.

Curve · 09/14/2008, 09:41 PM

Good question. I have a 135 and 150 reef going right now and I have had good luck but I have also heard horror stories from others who didn't skim. Hair algea is one of the biggest nuisances but I do 20% water changes every 3 to 4 weeks and I have no problems.

fodupos · 09/14/2008, 11:57 PM

i have a bakpak and my skimmate is really watery... i would prefer one that gave me a thicker skimmate so i don't lose as much water... it also needs adjustment alot

LisaJill · 09/15/2008, 12:14 AM

I had the same problem as you did - no sump, tank very close to the wall and didn't want a huge, ugly powerhead in the tank. Add to this a complete inability to manage something complicated....

I went with a Deltec MCE 600. It's on the expensive side, but it is extremely thin. and has no powerheads at all in the tank. it also takes all of 5 seconds to setup, and it's quiet.

The MCE 600 has the added advantage of being an extremely good skimmer; if you research it, you'll find good things said.

09/14/2008, 08:07 PM	#1
stagger19 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122	Too Skim or not too Skim Hey Everybody, Quick question here... on a 55 FOWLR, could I skip a skimmer if I do weekly 10% WC, and keep a light bioload?

09/14/2008, 08:10 PM	#2
black_majik Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 848	Really up to you. Skim or not skimming you should be doing 10 % changes either way so... I would skim though for the quality of life for the inhabitants. __________________ Finding Nemo: The most effective method of killing tropical marine fish. Current Tank Info: A couple: A 75 about to get a makeover, 20g Fish Holding Tank, 12g Reef W/ Anemones and yes Uncle Frosby they are indeed mushrooms.

09/14/2008, 08:40 PM	#5
black_majik Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 848	I never had issues with the Prizm models. __________________ Finding Nemo: The most effective method of killing tropical marine fish. Current Tank Info: A couple: A 75 about to get a makeover, 20g Fish Holding Tank, 12g Reef W/ Anemones and yes Uncle Frosby they are indeed mushrooms.

09/14/2008, 09:11 PM	#6
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	Since you have made up your mind to go with a HOB, get an Octopus 300F...I think. A friend down the road has one on a 75g predator tank. Killer skimmer and cheaper than an Aqua C. Don't waste you time and money with cheap skimmers. Read here on RC what is considered cheap and pitiful. Edit: The skimmer is an Octopus BH300 Last edited by Mr James; 09/14/2008 at 09:22 PM.

09/14/2008, 09:14 PM	#7
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	the bacpak is a diatom holding tank, and a pain to keep adjusted. i had one, and traded it for frags! you might have to put a hang-on on the back side of one end of the tank. there are some that work great and some that s--k. you can "poll" those who own a hang-on starting a new thread. __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

09/14/2008, 08:15 PM	#3
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	Light bio-loads change soon and you will be looking for ways to get rid of your hair algae. I would skim, do the weekly water changes, use RO/DI water and have good water movement. Leave the non-skimming to guys who have been around the block a few times.

09/14/2008, 08:24 PM	#4
stagger19 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122	Explains why I always seem to have a Hair algea problem then LOL. My situation is that due to space I cant have my tank too far from the wall, and I dont want to go with a sump. Of the HOB skimmers, which ones are pretty effective in the slim models. My choices would be... The Aqua-C Remora- I dont like, since it requires the big unsighly power head in the tank Red Sea Prizm Deluze- I heard a lot of bad things on this skimmer and how it needs to be adjusted constantly bacpak- I think this would fit but not sure how effective this would be? Any other suggestions on slim (~3") thick skimmers that work well??? Thanks in Advance...

09/14/2008, 09:36 PM	#8
Curve Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Farmerville, Louisiana Posts: 652	I don't skim on any of my tanks and I have no problems at all. __________________ If you don't take some meds, you're going to burn out of this hobby everytime a shrimp farts. Current Tank Info: 210 aggresive, 3 gallon led build

09/14/2008, 09:37 PM	#9
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	But will he??

09/14/2008, 09:41 PM	#10
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Always skim, IMO, IME. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

09/14/2008, 11:57 PM	#12
fodupos Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bridgeville, Pa Posts: 325	i have a bakpak and my skimmate is really watery... i would prefer one that gave me a thicker skimmate so i don't lose as much water... it also needs adjustment alot

09/15/2008, 12:14 AM	#13
LisaJill Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 248	I had the same problem as you did - no sump, tank very close to the wall and didn't want a huge, ugly powerhead in the tank. Add to this a complete inability to manage something complicated.... I went with a Deltec MCE 600. It's on the expensive side, but it is extremely thin. and has no powerheads at all in the tank. it also takes all of 5 seconds to setup, and it's quiet. The MCE 600 has the added advantage of being an extremely good skimmer; if you research it, you'll find good things said.