Skimmer broke, does it need to be replaced?

Pleco420 · 12/19/2015, 02:15 PM

My skimmer broke while I was trying to "fix it". I am running a 60gallon FOWLR setup, do I really need a skimmer or can use one of those carbon filters like an emperor or something similar? Cant afford to drop $200 on anything with the holidays right now.

Thanks in advance for any insights! Happy holidays!

shifty51008 · 12/19/2015, 02:22 PM

A skimmer is completly diff filtration than a hob filter that runs carbon. You could always buy a bottle of weld-on 16 and patch it back up, or weld-on 4 if your good enough.

Pet Detective · 12/19/2015, 03:02 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

Maybe this could help you repair it, I know I would hate to lose my skimmer on my reef.

CStrickland · 12/19/2015, 03:20 PM

unless you drove over it with your car while trying to fix it, it might be a lot cheaper to replace or mod a part.

Theres all kinds of stuff you can do, like if the pump works maybe finding a cheap body on craigslist from someone whose pump died, or replacing an impeller for a few bucks. Skimmers are very frankensteinable.

chilli_reef · 12/19/2015, 03:27 PM

Deff need a skimmer on a fowlr IMHO.

Jade5051 · 12/19/2015, 07:17 PM

What on the skimmer broke? You'll have to do more water changes to compensate for the loss.

There are plenty of skimmerless systems out there but it has become the most popular way of filtering saltwater systems today. You could setup an algae turf scrubber.

shortcake · 12/19/2015, 09:13 PM

Honestly, for a FOWLR tank, depending on how much livestock you have, you should be fine going skimmerless. Just do more water changes and perhaps run media if you aren't already. I'm actually going skimmerless on my SPS tank granted its only 25 gallons

Pleco420 · 12/20/2015, 10:24 AM

Thanks for the opinions, my LFS might have a new body for the skimmer for me, so hopefully I can replace that instead of dropping up to $200 on a new one.

HefeWeizen · 12/20/2015, 11:41 AM

If you are in the NYC/Long Island area I could sell you a used ASM G3 for $50. Assuming you have a sump that is.

chilli_reef · 12/20/2015, 03:15 PM

If its cracked you can repair it.

walkerbrody · 12/20/2015, 08:02 PM

show us a picture of the damage. It can probably be fixed with weldon

12/19/2015, 02:15 PM	#1
Pleco420 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Posts: 560	Skimmer broke, does it need to be replaced? My skimmer broke while I was trying to "fix it". I am running a 60gallon FOWLR setup, do I really need a skimmer or can use one of those carbon filters like an emperor or something similar? Cant afford to drop $200 on anything with the holidays right now. Thanks in advance for any insights! Happy holidays!

12/19/2015, 02:22 PM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	A skimmer is completly diff filtration than a hob filter that runs carbon. You could always buy a bottle of weld-on 16 and patch it back up, or weld-on 4 if your good enough. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/19/2015, 03:20 PM	#4
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	unless you drove over it with your car while trying to fix it, it might be a lot cheaper to replace or mod a part. Theres all kinds of stuff you can do, like if the pump works maybe finding a cheap body on craigslist from someone whose pump died, or replacing an impeller for a few bucks. Skimmers are very frankensteinable. __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

12/19/2015, 03:27 PM	#5
chilli_reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chillicothe Ohio Posts: 468	Deff need a skimmer on a fowlr IMHO. __________________ "But did you die !" Current Tank Info: 75g nondrilled reef.

12/19/2015, 07:17 PM	#6
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	What on the skimmer broke? You'll have to do more water changes to compensate for the loss. There are plenty of skimmerless systems out there but it has become the most popular way of filtering saltwater systems today. You could setup an algae turf scrubber. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

12/19/2015, 03:02 PM	#3
Pet Detective Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 328	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...dp_o_pC_nS_ttl Maybe this could help you repair it, I know I would hate to lose my skimmer on my reef.

12/19/2015, 09:13 PM	#7
shortcake Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 66	Honestly, for a FOWLR tank, depending on how much livestock you have, you should be fine going skimmerless. Just do more water changes and perhaps run media if you aren't already. I'm actually going skimmerless on my SPS tank granted its only 25 gallons

12/20/2015, 10:24 AM	#8
Pleco420 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Posts: 560	Thanks for the opinions, my LFS might have a new body for the skimmer for me, so hopefully I can replace that instead of dropping up to $200 on a new one.

12/20/2015, 11:41 AM	#9
HefeWeizen Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 182	If you are in the NYC/Long Island area I could sell you a used ASM G3 for $50. Assuming you have a sump that is. __________________ Dan

12/20/2015, 03:15 PM	#10
chilli_reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chillicothe Ohio Posts: 468	If its cracked you can repair it. __________________ "But did you die !" Current Tank Info: 75g nondrilled reef.

12/20/2015, 08:02 PM	#11
walkerbrody lost ball in high weeds Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gadsden, Al Posts: 504	show us a picture of the damage. It can probably be fixed with weldon __________________ "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right." — Henry Ford Current Tank Info: 265 mixed reef, 110 fowlr, 40g fuge, 75g sump.