20 Gallon FOWLR skimmer?

VoiceInTheDeser · 11/03/2011, 11:04 PM

Do people use skimmers on tanks this size? Most advice I read says that tanks as large as 55 don't need skimmers so long as they have proper movement and live rock. My 20 always seem to have a bit of particulate in the water towards the top though and I wonder if this could be solved with a skimmer.

What would RC's suggestion on the subject?

Jocko · 11/04/2011, 08:17 AM

It's really hard to find a skimmer for a tank that size that is actually any good. And honestly with such a small water volume, you can keep up with dissolved organic buildup with water changes and occasionally running a bit of carbon.

So my vote would be to forget the skimmer and use that money towards something else. That applies to your tank as a FOWLR and also after it becomes a reef. Which it will. Hehe.

VoiceInTheDeser · 11/04/2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocko

It's really hard to find a skimmer for a tank that size that is actually any good. And honestly with such a small water volume, you can keep up with dissolved organic buildup with water changes and occasionally running a bit of carbon.

So my vote would be to forget the skimmer and use that money towards something else. That applies to your tank as a FOWLR and also after it becomes a reef. Which it will. Hehe.

Hah, I sure hope so. Not enough money to turn it reef yet, but I hope at some point down the road. Good to know for future reference, thank you.

cloak · 11/04/2011, 06:57 PM

I use a modified Seaclone skimmer on my 20 gallon tank. It works... You can probably get one for dirt cheap if not for free from the reputation these things have. It's worth a shot. Here's a picture just for reference.

VoiceInTheDeser · 11/04/2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

I use a modified Seaclone skimmer on my 20 gallon tank. It works... You can probably get one for dirt cheap if not for free from the reputation these things have. It's worth a shot. Here's a picture just for reference.

That was one I was considering, but I had heard such bad things about it, I had steered clear. I guess if they're super cheap, it's not gonna hurt to try.

lordofthereef · 11/04/2011, 07:37 PM

Tunze makes a simmer that would likely work for you. I believe it's the 9002. I had one and it worked great (PITA to take apart and clean though, you've been warned). I see them on here for $100 or so.

Jodah · 11/04/2011, 07:41 PM

Not that having a skimmer is a bad idea on a 20, but you could do an ATS as well. then all you have to do is build the ats to a slightly larger size (say build it for a 30) and once you turn it into a reef, you don't have to worry about rebuilding a larger ats. Just an Idea.

VoiceInTheDeser · 11/04/2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodah

Not that having a skimmer is a bad idea on a 20, but you could do an ATS as well. then all you have to do is build the ats to a slightly larger size (say build it for a 30) and once you turn it into a reef, you don't have to worry about rebuilding a larger ats. Just an Idea.

Thanks for the idea. I hadn't considered that, but I'll look into it now.

Jodah · 11/04/2011, 07:47 PM

There's a lot of pro's to an ATS (which for those that don't know means Algae turf Scrubber) there's an entire thread on it under the advanced topics sub-forum. worth a read. If you do decide on a skimmer, the Hydor Slim Skim nano would be what i would use in my 20H

VoiceInTheDeser · 11/04/2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodah

There's a lot of pro's to an ATS (which for those that don't know means Algae turf Scrubber) there's an entire thread on it under the advanced topics sub-forum. worth a read. If you do decide on a skimmer, the Hydor Slim Skim nano would be what i would use in my 20H

I've never done the DIY bit of fish keeping, but it has interested me for a while. Perhaps this is a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

11/03/2011, 11:04 PM	#1
VoiceInTheDeser Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 286	20 Gallon FOWLR skimmer? Do people use skimmers on tanks this size? Most advice I read says that tanks as large as 55 don't need skimmers so long as they have proper movement and live rock. My 20 always seem to have a bit of particulate in the water towards the top though and I wonder if this could be solved with a skimmer. What would RC's suggestion on the subject?

11/04/2011, 07:37 PM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Tunze makes a simmer that would likely work for you. I believe it's the 9002. I had one and it worked great (PITA to take apart and clean though, you've been warned). I see them on here for $100 or so. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

11/04/2011, 07:41 PM	#7
Jodah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: CT Posts: 136	Not that having a skimmer is a bad idea on a 20, but you could do an ATS as well. then all you have to do is build the ats to a slightly larger size (say build it for a 30) and once you turn it into a reef, you don't have to worry about rebuilding a larger ats. Just an Idea. __________________ All tanks dry. :-(

11/04/2011, 07:47 PM	#9
Jodah Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: CT Posts: 136	There's a lot of pro's to an ATS (which for those that don't know means Algae turf Scrubber) there's an entire thread on it under the advanced topics sub-forum. worth a read. If you do decide on a skimmer, the Hydor Slim Skim nano would be what i would use in my 20H __________________ All tanks dry. :-(

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11/04/2011, 08:17 AM	#2
Jocko Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 595	It's really hard to find a skimmer for a tank that size that is actually any good. And honestly with such a small water volume, you can keep up with dissolved organic buildup with water changes and occasionally running a bit of carbon. So my vote would be to forget the skimmer and use that money towards something else. That applies to your tank as a FOWLR and also after it becomes a reef. Which it will. Hehe.

11/04/2011, 06:57 PM	#4
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I use a modified Seaclone skimmer on my 20 gallon tank. It works... You can probably get one for dirt cheap if not for free from the reputation these things have. It's worth a shot. Here's a picture just for reference.