if you had...

[reefking]

If you had about 200 dollars would you by a protien skimmer or would you use that on livestock, I don't know what to do, how important is a protien skimmer my tank is a 30 gallon?

[DansMarineTank]

Depends what else you have, if you have no live rock i'd spend it on that.

[reefking]

I have about 30 pounds of live rock and 3 fish and 2 corals, hope this helps.

[reefrash]

I'd go skimmer. But I love looking at all the kewl bubbles as much as the tank.....

[Decz]

I'd put it into equipment. IMO, livestock are the cheapest addition to the tank... it's the equipment and live rock that really bring the stability anyways.

[skippy2]

I would definately by a skimmer.

[Blinky]

Skimmer, hands down. A very important piece of equipment IMHO, wish I had a better one on the new tank - a really good skimmer is worth its weight in gold.

[van]

Skimmer!!!

[reefking]

alright I guess I will get a skimmer, how about this brand has anyone heard of it or used it: ViaAqua Multi-Skimmer Deluxe w/ 5W UV Sterilizer, and the coralife super skimmer are these good skimmers?

[reefking]

any ideas or comments?!?!

[mogurnda]

People seem happy with the coralife skimmer. Mine's been good for a few months. Bulky but skims well and easy to use.

Don't know about the ViaAqua.

[reefking]

can you hang it off the side of the tank because I don't have any room in the back right now, when I set it up I didn't leave enough room?

[mogurnda]

Depends on how you have your lights and lid arranged, I suppose. It would look funny but may be possible.

[reefking]

Hey Dave I have been having this brownish slime starting to cover my sand bed and my water looks a little dingy, I checked my water and the only thing that is a little off is my NO3 would that make this problem, and I have been feeding alot less since my last water change which was last friday. And last but not least once I get a skimmer would this problem go away?

[reefking]

I found this skimmer and was wondering if anyone is using this or heard anything about it before I buy. It's called a prizm skimmer here is the info: Compact and extremely efficient! Suitable for marine and reef aquariums up to 90 gallons, the new Prizm protein skimmer outperforms all other skimmers in its class. It features a 2-stage, convergent-divergent reaction chamber that enhances the skimming effect and triple pass air flow that extends the contact time. The quiet and efficient 12-blade TurboJet pump injects both air and water and is completely adjustable. The slim-line design can hang on the back of a tank and is only 2.4" thick. Includes instructions, 115V/60 Hz. Weighs 10 lbs. One-year warranty. :confused:

[mogurnda]

Hey Dave I have been having this brownish slime starting to cover my sand bed and my water looks a little dingy, I checked my water and the only thing that is a little off is my NO3 would that make this problem, and I have been feeding alot less since my last water change which was last friday. And last but not least once I get a skimmer would this problem go away?
It will help. In my most recent setup, the brown slime went away quickly and permanently after adding a skimmer.

I have not used the Prizm skimmer, but have heard very mixed reviews. Among HOB skimmers, the bakpak, coralife and remora skimmers consistently get good reviews. I have used the bakpak and coralife, and have been happy with them.

[reefking]

Thanks Dave, do the bakpaks come with a pump or do you have to buy one

[mogurnda]

Thanks Dave, do the bakpaks come with a pump or do you have to buy oneThese days, I think they all come with maxijets. A step up from the Rios they used to have.

[GeorgiaMan]

Dave,
do you have a picture of the coralife skimmer attached to your system? I am trying to determine if this can sit under my aquarium with hoses running to the tank or if it has to be even with the surface. I am limited on space on sides and back but have available space underneath.

Thanks

[reefking]

Hey guy's I just bought a seaclone 100 skimmer for my 30 gallon, has anyone got any info about how good this skimmer works?

[reefking]

does anyone have any ideas?

[skippy2]

From everything I have read in the 3+ yrs. I have been doing sw, the seaclone is just a piece of junk. I have never tried 1 granted, just what I have read. My recommendation would be to take it back and apply that money to a cpr backpack or an aquaC remora. I read good reviews about the Coralife skimmer also.
All that being said, I use a prizm. I have never used anything else. Prizms also get a bad rap but I am satisfied with it. MY tank is only a 75 and wouldn't use a prizm on anything bigger.

[reefrash]

I'm normally not one to badmouth, but the SeaClone is one of the worst products ever. Even with a needle wheel mod and cutting down that stupid little tube in the middle to get more contact. I must admit it falls under my looking kewl criteria, but that is always pending function.

[mogurnda]

Dave,
do you have a picture of the coralife skimmer attached to your system? I am trying to determine if this can sit under my aquarium with hoses running to the tank or if it has to be even with the surface. I am limited on space on sides and back but have available space underneath.

Thanks
I learned the hard way that the skimmer won't deal with any backpressure. It was a messy experiment.

[reefking]

Hey everyone, I have had it running in my tank for about 3 days now and it seems to be working I have dingy dry foam in the collection cup. So I guess I will keep it since it seems to be working, but I don't want to keep it too long and not be able to take it back, can someone tell me what I should do!

[skippy2]

We have been telling you. Take it back.

[reefking]

I know skippy, but like I said it has been in for 3 days now and it has been running well, that why I am confused.

[skippy2]

But that's my point, honey. If the seaclone is pulling out what you think is good, imagine how much more could be pulled out with a better skimmer!!!

[mysis]

Take it back, before the LFS wont let you take it back, after All the advice people gave you about skimmers, and recommending coralife, remora, even aqua medic turboflotors. Why did you not listen? To put it bluntly seaclones are crap, and following peoples advice on here will save you time and money!

[reefking]

alright everyone, since I am back on the market for a skimmer, can anyone give me any advice on this skimmer: Jebo Odyssea PS75 Hang On Aquarium Protein Skimmer 2006. I found a good price for this on ebay.

[mysis]

Jebo are also very bad, common troubles with them are, they release microbubbles back into the aquarium, they hardly skim, quite noisy, cheap and nasty.

[reefking]

Sorry guy's I have another question, have ya'll heard of this one, if so how does it work: New 2006 Model Odyssea P75 HOB/SUMP Protein Skimmer

[reefking]

Hey Dave I am thinking about buying a bakpak from this guy on ebay, so far the bid is at 51.00, he said it is about a year and a half old, would you purchase this being that old or do you think they last for good while?

[mysis]

Sorry, but it may just be a waste of money, if you are going to get anything cheap, atleast get a prizm as they are not to good and cheap, or for a bit more, you could get a coral life which are good for the price. no point buying a skimmer and wiching you had something better, might aswell do it right the first time.

[reefking]

thanks for the reply, I guess I will go new.