Protein Skimmer

Capt_Dan · 10/19/2015, 04:05 PM

Hi everyone, Im new here to the forum and might as well be new to saltwater tanks. (had one 20 years ago). I have been reading quite a bit but can't find an answer to my questions.

I have a wet/dry sump now, but planning on building a refugium for my 90 gallon DT.

First, is a 20 gallon large enough to use as a refugium for a 90 gallon?

Second is on topic. I have a protein skimmer now that is designed to go into the sump or hang on the side. Hanging on the side now seams to be working good. Why would I want to take up space in my sump to put it inside? I figure there must be a reason, because I see everyone with them inside. Could someone explain why this is, and if I can continue to keep this outside my new refugium?

Thanks!

Vinny Kreyling · 10/19/2015, 04:19 PM

Wet/dry sump is fine, no bio balls if you have coral, fish only is fine.
20 gallons is fine but with chaeto the more the better.
Things are put into the sump to hide them, I have an external skimmer with a slow leak so it resides inside the sump, no more worries.
If you are fine with a HOB so be it.

Capt_Dan · 10/20/2015, 05:02 AM

Thanks Vinny!

10/19/2015, 04:05 PM	#1
Capt_Dan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 63	Protein Skimmer Hi everyone, Im new here to the forum and might as well be new to saltwater tanks. (had one 20 years ago). I have been reading quite a bit but can't find an answer to my questions. I have a wet/dry sump now, but planning on building a refugium for my 90 gallon DT. First, is a 20 gallon large enough to use as a refugium for a 90 gallon? Second is on topic. I have a protein skimmer now that is designed to go into the sump or hang on the side. Hanging on the side now seams to be working good. Why would I want to take up space in my sump to put it inside? I figure there must be a reason, because I see everyone with them inside. Could someone explain why this is, and if I can continue to keep this outside my new refugium? Thanks!

10/19/2015, 04:19 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Wet/dry sump is fine, no bio balls if you have coral, fish only is fine. 20 gallons is fine but with chaeto the more the better. Things are put into the sump to hide them, I have an external skimmer with a slow leak so it resides inside the sump, no more worries. If you are fine with a HOB so be it. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

10/20/2015, 05:02 AM	#3
Capt_Dan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 63	Thanks Vinny!