Replace Aqua-tech 20-40 w/ RedSea Prism?

tommydee · 02/19/2011, 08:29 AM

I found a reasonable price on a HOB skimmer that looks perfect for my 25 gallon fowler. I'm currently running walmart aqua-tech w/ LR, and am tired of weekly water changes to keep nitrates below 5 ppm. (yes, I'm a noob)

Considering the following,

Deluxe RedSea Prizm Hang - on Skimmer W/pump (2.4"w)

Please help w/ these 2 questions:

1. Is this a reasonable choice for a 25 g fowler? I do want it to be able to support future anemone/clown combo, if I decide to invest in lighting later.

2. This skimmer has a media compartment, but not clear how big. Can I find a carbon pack to put in here, and use this and LR only? If so, which one fits? Or, should I run this in addition to the "rough and ready" Aquatech power filter, and keep the carbon there? I've read about powerfilters sometimes increasing nitrates, and maybe I should just let the LR due it's thing (have about 15#)

Thanks for the help guys, I think my little fish project to give the kids some nemos is starting to blow up into a bit of an addiction

sneaton · 02/19/2011, 08:51 AM

i have a rio nano skimmer on my 28 gallon and it works pretty well...if you get a skimmer keep running the aquatech with it (i had that same filter for awhile)...water changes are your best friend with a tank this small...i have anemone,lps,and softies...i just keep my nitrates at 10-20 ppm and it will drive you crazy trying to get them lower....i do water changes every 2 weeks 20 %

tommydee · 02/19/2011, 10:31 AM

Thanks sneaton! since you're a similar setup to mine, what kind of lighting are you using? Maybe I'll just go all out and get skimmer and lighting! Trying to take it slow before adding the nem, I'm at about 3-4 months now.

moondoggy4 · 02/19/2011, 11:27 AM

Are you buying a new skimmer? There was a article written a few months ago in those free Magaiznes at the Fish Store (LFS) and it had a Red Sea Prizm and it worked great for his application if I find it I will post it. There are some really good HOB skimmers on the market that would be a better buy. So what is your budget?

sneaton · 02/19/2011, 02:07 PM

look at the aquaticlife fixtures with the timer...i have one and love it...you can get 130w pc, or 96w of t5..they both have individual reflectors so i got the 130w pc because its more compact and i like the rounded top...the skimmer i told you about is cheap,only like 30-40 bucks...i went this route because i figured water changes are the best for smaller tanks

tommydee · 02/20/2011, 05:29 PM

Thanks Sneaton for the advice....Could go Rio, but there's a deal on the prism for only $100, which is the most I want to pay for this...so I may splurge on higher quality...but most of what I read on the Rio is pretty good as well...so maybe I'll go Rio, and lights, so I can get an anemone going.

By the way, you are able to have nitrates go as high as 20 ppm, and not impact your inverts?

02/19/2011, 08:29 AM	#1
tommydee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 54	Replace Aqua-tech 20-40 w/ RedSea Prism? I found a reasonable price on a HOB skimmer that looks perfect for my 25 gallon fowler. I'm currently running walmart aqua-tech w/ LR, and am tired of weekly water changes to keep nitrates below 5 ppm. (yes, I'm a noob) Considering the following, Deluxe RedSea Prizm Hang - on Skimmer W/pump (2.4"w) Please help w/ these 2 questions: 1. Is this a reasonable choice for a 25 g fowler? I do want it to be able to support future anemone/clown combo, if I decide to invest in lighting later. 2. This skimmer has a media compartment, but not clear how big. Can I find a carbon pack to put in here, and use this and LR only? If so, which one fits? Or, should I run this in addition to the "rough and ready" Aquatech power filter, and keep the carbon there? I've read about powerfilters sometimes increasing nitrates, and maybe I should just let the LR due it's thing (have about 15#) Thanks for the help guys, I think my little fish project to give the kids some nemos is starting to blow up into a bit of an addiction

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02/19/2011, 08:51 AM	#2
sneaton Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: indianapolis Posts: 742	i have a rio nano skimmer on my 28 gallon and it works pretty well...if you get a skimmer keep running the aquatech with it (i had that same filter for awhile)...water changes are your best friend with a tank this small...i have anemone,lps,and softies...i just keep my nitrates at 10-20 ppm and it will drive you crazy trying to get them lower....i do water changes every 2 weeks 20 %

02/19/2011, 10:31 AM	#3
tommydee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 54	Thanks sneaton! since you're a similar setup to mine, what kind of lighting are you using? Maybe I'll just go all out and get skimmer and lighting! Trying to take it slow before adding the nem, I'm at about 3-4 months now.

02/19/2011, 11:27 AM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Are you buying a new skimmer? There was a article written a few months ago in those free Magaiznes at the Fish Store (LFS) and it had a Red Sea Prizm and it worked great for his application if I find it I will post it. There are some really good HOB skimmers on the market that would be a better buy. So what is your budget?

02/19/2011, 02:07 PM	#5
sneaton Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: indianapolis Posts: 742	look at the aquaticlife fixtures with the timer...i have one and love it...you can get 130w pc, or 96w of t5..they both have individual reflectors so i got the 130w pc because its more compact and i like the rounded top...the skimmer i told you about is cheap,only like 30-40 bucks...i went this route because i figured water changes are the best for smaller tanks

02/20/2011, 05:29 PM	#6
tommydee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 54	Thanks Sneaton for the advice....Could go Rio, but there's a deal on the prism for only $100, which is the most I want to pay for this...so I may splurge on higher quality...but most of what I read on the Rio is pretty good as well...so maybe I'll go Rio, and lights, so I can get an anemone going. By the way, you are able to have nitrates go as high as 20 ppm, and not impact your inverts?