Does a 29 gal tank need a skimmer?
- Thread starter wfrost
- Start date
Mariner
New member
Opinions vary, but I think the vast majority of reef keepers would say that a skimmer is one of the most important pieces of equipment -- maybe THE MOST IMPORTANT. I would not try to run a tank without one. They export nutrients before they foul the water and they keep the water well aerated.
You wouldn't need to get a huge one for a 29g, something like a CPR backpack might do, or even a Seaclone. A Coralife Superskimmer would be better. You should be able to pick up any of those for less than $100, or a used one for a lot less.
HTH,
Mariner
You wouldn't need to get a huge one for a 29g, something like a CPR backpack might do, or even a Seaclone. A Coralife Superskimmer would be better. You should be able to pick up any of those for less than $100, or a used one for a lot less.
HTH,
Mariner
Tomoko Schum
New member
I heard that inexpensive Odyssea skimmer is a CPR clone and works just as good:
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=168
Unfortunately Aquatraders is out of them right now. You might be able to find a brand new one on eBay.
Tomoko
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=168
Unfortunately Aquatraders is out of them right now. You might be able to find a brand new one on eBay.
Tomoko
Andrew_Adrian
Member
AquaC Remora Pro or a CPR Bak-Pak..
I'd guess it all depends on what your focus is...
What you want to keep is the determining factor in what you need.
Personally.. I wouldn't go without a skimmer; it makes having the tank much more convienent..& adds a bit more room for error.
I'd guess it all depends on what your focus is...
What you want to keep is the determining factor in what you need.
Personally.. I wouldn't go without a skimmer; it makes having the tank much more convienent..& adds a bit more room for error.
Tomoko Schum
New member
My 15 gallon tank is doing fine without a skimmer for over four years now. I do a 10-15 % water change weekly on it. I periodically used a skimmer in the past (both Lee's and a home made coke bottle skimmer), but I cannot tell if a skimmer make a lot of difference. It's lit well (two 55W PC's on it) but it is mainly softies tank (with a Pavona catus near the top of the tank.) It has 5 gallon macroalgae fuge on it (densely packed with Chaetomorpha.)
Funny thing is that this tank does better with a higher bioload. (My softies grow faster and look better.) It has a cherub angel, a tiny clown fish and a small yellow watchman goby living with a alpheus pistol shrimp. I suppose the weekly water change and a big bundle of Chaeto in the fuge keeps water very clean.
Tomoko
Funny thing is that this tank does better with a higher bioload. (My softies grow faster and look better.) It has a cherub angel, a tiny clown fish and a small yellow watchman goby living with a alpheus pistol shrimp. I suppose the weekly water change and a big bundle of Chaeto in the fuge keeps water very clean.
Tomoko
Tomoko Schum
New member
Does your light fixture sit directly on your tank, possibly on a glass top? An enclosed air tight tank with a light fixture sitting on a glass top can heat up fast.
My light fixture is suspended and I have no glass top on my tank.
My 15G tank is in the corner of my kitchen surrounded by cabinets. Not the most ideal location when it comes to air circulation and heat dissipation. However, with a good fan, the tank has done great.
My house temp right now is 71 and the tank temp is 80-81 without a fan on.
In the summer time my house temp is kept high during the day (automatically steps up to 82 when no one is home) and the tank temp can go up to 86 with the fan running, but my corals and fish have been thriving. No sign of heat stress or I have not noticed it. My corals multiply fast and they maintain very nice colors all year round. As long as you can keep your tank temp from rising much higher than 86, you should be okay (at least from my experience.)
I think that the stability is more important than anything - no fast change, temp wise or water parameter wise.
I tried floating a frozen water bottle in the summer time in the sump of my 29G tank for a few days in a row (late afternoons when the temp was the highest.) The display tank did not look any different, but the sponges and pods in my sump/fuge were quite shocked to say the least.
Tomoko
My light fixture is suspended and I have no glass top on my tank.
My 15G tank is in the corner of my kitchen surrounded by cabinets. Not the most ideal location when it comes to air circulation and heat dissipation. However, with a good fan, the tank has done great.
My house temp right now is 71 and the tank temp is 80-81 without a fan on.
In the summer time my house temp is kept high during the day (automatically steps up to 82 when no one is home) and the tank temp can go up to 86 with the fan running, but my corals and fish have been thriving. No sign of heat stress or I have not noticed it. My corals multiply fast and they maintain very nice colors all year round. As long as you can keep your tank temp from rising much higher than 86, you should be okay (at least from my experience.)
I think that the stability is more important than anything - no fast change, temp wise or water parameter wise.
I tried floating a frozen water bottle in the summer time in the sump of my 29G tank for a few days in a row (late afternoons when the temp was the highest.) The display tank did not look any different, but the sponges and pods in my sump/fuge were quite shocked to say the least.
Tomoko
Tomoko Schum
New member
As for the skimmer for 29G, I really liked my Excalibur skimmer. It was pretty powerful and compact, too. It fit fine in my sump which was converted from a 20G long tank. I believe ASM also came out with a mini skimmer.
Tomoko
Tomoko
joejoe1055
New member
i have a 20t setup and running for about 3yrs now
never had a skimmer on it it's a coral and invert only setup and everything looks fine
joe
never had a skimmer on it it's a coral and invert only setup and everything looks fine
joe
