View Full Version : Protien skimmer???
shrimpin
08-21-2007, 2:01 PM
What exactly does a protien skimmer do for your water quality??
ricsreef
08-21-2007, 2:03 PM
It removes the organics from your water.Makes your water cleaner.
sharkmatt
08-21-2007, 2:59 PM
Simply put it removes particles that would otherwise decay and cause your nitrates to rise.
justkillin_time
08-21-2007, 4:04 PM
what would you recommend for a 37 gallon with a 10 gallon sump? I'll be needing one soon.
jkt
I'd go with something with a small footprint like an Urchin by Aqua C.
salty420
08-21-2007, 9:30 PM
i just added a protein skimmer to my 37. it's just a RedSea hang on back one that is actually really frustrating to use (got it free tho) but MAN i can't believe what comes out of that thing! seriously i get the nastiest black crap filled water out of that skimmer i can't even believe it came from my tank! i've noticed it's helping my nitrates come down a little too, which is good cause i use RO water and do 10% water changes weekly and still couldn't get it below 20ppm. so however the heck it works it really does work! you don't have to run one but im now a believer!
wcolwell88
08-21-2007, 9:44 PM
I have an AquaC Remora. I've heard a lot of comments about this. I've had it running for a few days now and there is nothing in the collection cup. But then again, the tank has no live rock yet, just water.
Fishieness
08-21-2007, 11:14 PM
what would you recommend for a 37 gallon with a 10 gallon sump? I'll be needing one soon.
jkt
id get the biggest you coudl possibly fit and the best you could possibly afford. euroreef skimmers are pretty decent.
Dustin83
08-23-2007, 2:35 AM
I have an AquaC Remora. I've heard a lot of comments about this. I've had it running for a few days now and there is nothing in the collection cup. But then again, the tank has no live rock yet, just water.
Yeah, I've heard nothing but good reviews about Remora. Skimmers generally take few days to "break in" when you first set them up. From my past experience, I always had those first 2 - 3 days of no production. I think you'll start seeing result soon though, if you haven't already.
wcolwell88
08-23-2007, 3:59 PM
Yeah, I've heard nothing but good reviews about Remora. Skimmers generally take few days to "break in" when you first set them up. From my past experience, I always had those first 2 - 3 days of no production. I think you'll start seeing result soon though, if you haven't already.
I still havn't seen anything in the collection cup except for a bit of water from where it seems to be a little steamy in there. I can see the bubbles down inside, but none are coming up through the round tube in the collection cup. Maybe I have to have something in the tank first? Right now I just have my saltwater, equipment, 1 astrea snail and some algae (not really something I want) in there.
Kodiak
08-23-2007, 4:18 PM
the bubbles bring the dirt and particles up to the cup
wcolwell88
08-23-2007, 4:30 PM
yes but the bubbles are about 3 or 4 inches down in the tube, not up near the top where they would overflow into the cup.
I still havn't seen anything in the collection cup except for a bit of water from where it seems to be a little steamy in there. I can see the bubbles down inside, but none are coming up through the round tube in the collection cup. Maybe I have to have something in the tank first? Right now I just have my saltwater, equipment, 1 astrea snail and some algae (not really something I want) in there.
I don't think you'll see much until you get livestock in there.
chirojosh
08-23-2007, 7:33 PM
Yeah, I've heard nothing but good reviews about Remora. Skimmers generally take few days to "break in" when you first set them up. From my past experience, I always had those first 2 - 3 days of no production. I think you'll start seeing result soon though, if you haven't already.
I take it you have not been on reefcentral.com ?
lol....there are still some that say good things about them there but I know what you're talking about for the most part.
jayghmi
08-24-2007, 8:07 AM
My Remora C works great! But if you do not have any organics in your tank there is nothing to remove. I looked at all the reef central negative stuff before I bought mine, but did it anyway. I have nothing but great things to say about mine.
It pulls some major nasty stuff out of my tank. I only feed about three times a week and notice that it skims much more after feeding and by the third day (after feeding) not much.
It probably took 3 weeks before my skimmer fully broke in.
Jay
Dustin83
08-25-2007, 2:13 AM
I take it you have not been on reefcentral.com ?
Haha. nope. Had no idea. But i went and read it. I should start looking at other forums, too. Thanks for that.
wcolwell88
08-25-2007, 5:18 PM
I don't really care much for reefcentral.com, AC is much better.
Dustin83
08-25-2007, 5:44 PM
I don't really care much for reefcentral.com, AC is much better.
Word.
ooja3k
08-25-2007, 6:06 PM
I actually just got my euroreef rc80 in the mail and set it up like 2 hours ago...
i have a 30 gallon reef with a 10gal sump underneath...
the euroreef fits really well... it has a 9"x9" footprint and is 21.5" tall...
its only been running for a couple hours... but it has already pulled out some super dark crap...
the acrylic one runs for like 180 shipped to your door...
great skimmer for the price!
mrtuskfish
08-25-2007, 6:34 PM
I'd go with something with a small footprint like an Urchin by Aqua C.
I agree; I've become convinced that Aqua-C makes both the best in-sump and hang-on skimmers for the money...and their tech help is great.
As to why--ever notice the slimy foam at the beach? That is pretty much the same protein mix that a skimmer removes.
mrtuskfish
08-25-2007, 6:38 PM
I have an AquaC Remora. I've heard a lot of comments about this. I've had it running for a few days now and there is nothing in the collection cup. But then again, the tank has no live rock yet, just water.
If there is just water, there is nothing to skim. Water does not produce protein; fish and all other organisms do. All skimmers take a while to kick in; they don't need to be your 1st piece of equipment. A FOWLR can do well without one, but once you have one, you'll never go without.