Nano Skimmer help

[dave3112]

I am looking for a good hang on skimmer for my 16gal bowfront tank. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good skimmer that you have tried on your tanks? On my other tanks I have a aqua c remora and a prizm pro. But those are WAY too big for this application. Thanks in advance for the help.

Dave

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I maintain my 15 gallon without a skimmer. If you are willing to do weekly or bi-weekly water changes, you really don't need a skimmer in a nano tank.

I made a skimmer modeled after Sander's Piccolo skimmer (a German make I believe) and run it in a HOT power filter before. While it worked really well (produced thick dry skimmate), I eventually removed it when my planted refugium started going well since I did not see much difference in my tank with or without my skimmer.

Tomoko

 

[dave3112]

I already do a 20% weekly water change but would still prefer to skim the tank also. Do you still have the plans for the One you made? That sounds pretty cool. But then again by the time I buy the parts for the DIY I could probably buy a new one.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I simply used what was available to me. Just a water bottle, a short plastic tube, and a small tub like container with a lid. It's a small counter-current air driven skimmer, but it can generate a nice skimmate.

Tomoko

 

[dave3112]

Thanks Tomoko. I will try that and see what happens. I was thinking about having to buy a HOT magnum. The power filter part just didn't register for me ( It's been a long day already).


Dave

 

[Tomoko Schum]

You're welcome. I had a cheap hang on the tank power filter called TetraTech 10, which was used for 15 or so years on my fresh water tank. I took out its activated carbon filter pack and stuck the skimmer in the compartment. A number of nano reefers were using a Piccolo or a DIY piccolo skimmers in an AquaClear power filter back then.

Tomoko

 

[timrandlerv10]

tomoko do you have any more pics or places i can go for plans like this?

thanks,
tim

 

[Tomoko Schum]

This site has a lot of DIY plans.

However, I found the nano skimmer plan originally on reefs.org. nano-reef.com also has good suggestions for nano reef items.

Tomoko