Filtration/Skimmer for a 36 Gallon Bowfront? Opinions Please.

jctse · 07/03/2012, 04:09 PM

I just got a 36 Gallon Bowfront, ordered 2 Koralias, and have a bunch of live rock curing in a tub. I've been running my first SW tank -a 20 Gallon Long Sumpless Mixed Reef for about 6 months (15% water changes) with some success.

I don't have any plans for filtration on this new 36 Gallon but want something. Going to do mixed reef that's heavy on the coral and light on the fish (Black clown, chromis, CUC, and a shrimp). I want to run a protein skimmer this time. Is it wiser to run something inside the main tank like the Hydor Slim Skim ($115) or since I have room in the back fit in a 10 gallon sump ( Tank $10 -Petco Sale, Overflow box $40, power head $20, in sump skimmer $?) Is there a skimmer that will work in about 6 inches of water and would that work better than the Hydor? My overhead is tight so the HOB skimmers' probably won't fit.

My other options are: Someone gave me a Phosban Reactor with some Phosban. I could easily run some GAC and Phosban. Not sure how I would trap any detrius if I took that route, maybe use foam insert on the intake of the powerhead to the reactor.

quiksilverchin · 07/08/2012, 03:17 PM

I have a tunze 9002 that would be great for your size tank. I keep mine in the back refugium. Not sure the dimensions but you can find it online to see it it would work for you.

07/03/2012, 04:09 PM	#1
jctse Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alameda Posts: 175	Filtration/Skimmer for a 36 Gallon Bowfront? Opinions Please. I just got a 36 Gallon Bowfront, ordered 2 Koralias, and have a bunch of live rock curing in a tub. I've been running my first SW tank -a 20 Gallon Long Sumpless Mixed Reef for about 6 months (15% water changes) with some success. I don't have any plans for filtration on this new 36 Gallon but want something. Going to do mixed reef that's heavy on the coral and light on the fish (Black clown, chromis, CUC, and a shrimp). I want to run a protein skimmer this time. Is it wiser to run something inside the main tank like the Hydor Slim Skim ($115) or since I have room in the back fit in a 10 gallon sump ( Tank $10 -Petco Sale, Overflow box $40, power head $20, in sump skimmer $?) Is there a skimmer that will work in about 6 inches of water and would that work better than the Hydor? My overhead is tight so the HOB skimmers' probably won't fit. My other options are: Someone gave me a Phosban Reactor with some Phosban. I could easily run some GAC and Phosban. Not sure how I would trap any detrius if I took that route, maybe use foam insert on the intake of the powerhead to the reactor.

07/08/2012, 03:17 PM	#2
quiksilverchin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 264	I have a tunze 9002 that would be great for your size tank. I keep mine in the back refugium. Not sure the dimensions but you can find it online to see it it would work for you.