14 gal biocube and a protein skimmer

dstalte · 11/22/2007, 12:10 AM

Oceanic now has a protein skimmer that fit in the tank. Is it worth getting one? I have 6 fish in mine and do a 5 gal water change every month and filter change. Would a protein skimmer help with the water conditon?

demonsp · 11/22/2007, 12:12 AM

With 6 fish in a 14 gallon i would say YES. But let your readings help you. Do you know your reading? Ammonia , nitrate, phosphate?

kau_cinta_ku · 11/22/2007, 12:13 AM

6 fish in a 14 gal? I would think cutting your fish in half and just do your water changes would be better.

what kind of fish may I ask?

dstalte · 11/22/2007, 12:27 AM

2 small pecula clowns, 2 small damsels, lawnmower blenny, 1 goby, 2 sandsifting stars, 1 feather duster, 6 lbs of live rock, 1 turbo snail and 6 hermit crabs. and the kitchen sink. HAHA
I know to much but its been going for about 6 months. I am running all r/o water with a pouch of purigen in front of filter. I just thought the skimmer would make it better for the health of the tank. NO I am not adding any more fish.. Iwill post a pix tomorrow

demonsp · 11/22/2007, 12:42 AM

Whats your ammonia reading?
And i see no coral. Fish can live in alot worse conditions then any coral.

dstalte · 11/22/2007, 01:42 PM

I just use a qick dip strip that list nitrates nitrites alkalinity and ph .
I guess the nitrates are the amonia. The strip tests good each week . Look at my gallery to see tank.

bigpaul2600 · 11/22/2007, 02:23 PM

I wouldn't but the new Oceanic Skimmer... go with the sapphire nano skimmer. you have to make a slight modification to the tank but its worth it.

Saltwaterstart · 11/22/2007, 04:23 PM

Has anyone tried the new skimmer. It was on for $70 and I thought it might be a good idea.

stagger19 · 11/22/2007, 04:30 PM

Here is just an Idea....

You should see if you can make a Fuge in that tank instead. On the aquapods you can cut off some vinyl behind one of the chambers and shine a light thru the glass to grow some cheato.

Although a Skimmer is a good thing, in smaller tanks they can cause a problem, as they also remove some good essential nutrients and in a small tank, this can become a problem quickly.

A fuge will greatly help reduce and eliminate Nitrates and phosphates, as well as prevent algea in the display tank, and if you do a weekly 10% ~ 20% water change, you should be fine without a skimmer.

fishorcutbait · 11/22/2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stagger19
Here is just an Idea....

You should see if you can make a Fuge in that tank instead. On the aquapods you can cut off some vinyl behind one of the chambers and shine a light thru the glass to grow some cheato.

Although a Skimmer is a good thing, in smaller tanks they can cause a problem, as they also remove some good essential nutrients and in a small tank, this can become a problem quickly.

A fuge will greatly help reduce and eliminate Nitrates and phosphates, as well as prevent algea in the display tank, and if you do a weekly 10% ~ 20% water change, you should be fine without a skimmer.

I've seen people mention this before, but I haven't seen the details. Where do you get the cheato? Do you replace it, or harvest it? What does it actually do for you? Thanks!

reefergeorge · 11/22/2007, 10:06 PM

I use the middle chamber of my nano cube 12 as a fuge. I cut the vinyl and shine light through the back. No skimmer and my nitrates have always been zero. Cheato is a algae and as it grows it uses the nutrients in the water. When you cut it back you will be removing these nutrients. You lfs should carry it.

11/22/2007, 12:10 AM	#1
dstalte Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chalfont PA Posts: 41	14 gal biocube and a protein skimmer Oceanic now has a protein skimmer that fit in the tank. Is it worth getting one? I have 6 fish in mine and do a 5 gal water change every month and filter change. Would a protein skimmer help with the water conditon?

11/22/2007, 04:23 PM	#8
Saltwaterstart Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 458	Has anyone tried the new skimmer. It was on for $70 and I thought it might be a good idea. __________________ -Geoff A hero need not speak. When he is gone, the world will speak for him. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon bio-cube- Planning 135 gallon SPS reef

11/22/2007, 10:06 PM	#11
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I use the middle chamber of my nano cube 12 as a fuge. I cut the vinyl and shine light through the back. No skimmer and my nitrates have always been zero. Cheato is a algae and as it grows it uses the nutrients in the water. When you cut it back you will be removing these nutrients. You lfs should carry it. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

11/22/2007, 12:12 AM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	With 6 fish in a 14 gallon i would say YES. But let your readings help you. Do you know your reading? Ammonia , nitrate, phosphate?

11/22/2007, 12:13 AM	#3
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	6 fish in a 14 gal? I would think cutting your fish in half and just do your water changes would be better. what kind of fish may I ask?

11/22/2007, 12:27 AM	#4
dstalte Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chalfont PA Posts: 41	2 small pecula clowns, 2 small damsels, lawnmower blenny, 1 goby, 2 sandsifting stars, 1 feather duster, 6 lbs of live rock, 1 turbo snail and 6 hermit crabs. and the kitchen sink. HAHA I know to much but its been going for about 6 months. I am running all r/o water with a pouch of purigen in front of filter. I just thought the skimmer would make it better for the health of the tank. NO I am not adding any more fish.. Iwill post a pix tomorrow

11/22/2007, 12:42 AM	#5
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Whats your ammonia reading? And i see no coral. Fish can live in alot worse conditions then any coral.

11/22/2007, 01:42 PM	#6
dstalte Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chalfont PA Posts: 41	I just use a qick dip strip that list nitrates nitrites alkalinity and ph . I guess the nitrates are the amonia. The strip tests good each week . Look at my gallery to see tank.

11/22/2007, 02:23 PM	#7
bigpaul2600 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 111	I wouldn't but the new Oceanic Skimmer... go with the sapphire nano skimmer. you have to make a slight modification to the tank but its worth it.

11/22/2007, 04:30 PM	#9
stagger19 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122	Here is just an Idea.... You should see if you can make a Fuge in that tank instead. On the aquapods you can cut off some vinyl behind one of the chambers and shine a light thru the glass to grow some cheato. Although a Skimmer is a good thing, in smaller tanks they can cause a problem, as they also remove some good essential nutrients and in a small tank, this can become a problem quickly. A fuge will greatly help reduce and eliminate Nitrates and phosphates, as well as prevent algea in the display tank, and if you do a weekly 10% ~ 20% water change, you should be fine without a skimmer.