need nano skimmer suggestions

[svynx]

I will be buying a 20 gallon and it comes with a taam rio skimmer. It maxes out at 20 gallons, so it will do for a little while, but I'd like to get one with a little more power. The tank will mainly be softies, a few LPS, a 4-5 inch mantis, and the random damsel (they have been living together for well over a year). I need to keep the skimmer on the small side since it will be sitting on my desk at work. Which also means no sump. Also, I'd prefer surface skimming if possible.
Any suggestions?

 

[Jandree22]

I can't speak from experience, but when I frequented Nano-Reef.com in the not-too-distant past, the general consensus that skimmers on tanks that small are more trouble than their worth, and instead you should focus on religious weekly water changes. The corals you listed don't seem to indicate a need for zero nutrient water, either. That being said, I don't see a problem using one unless it's grossly oversized.

The AquaC remora is always a popular HOB option, and they make an optional surface skimmer box. However, IMO it's expensive for what it is, and for every 5 people that love it, 1 or 2 can't get it to perform.

Another option, I have a used CPR Bakpak 2R skimmer w/MJ1200, including wood airstone and air pump (the 'airstone' mod), that performed admirably on my 100g volume system. Obviously it was undersized for that application so I just upgraded to an Octopus NW150, but on a 20g should be more than enough. The air pump is a Hagen Optima, and runs very quiet. If you're interested, let me know. (Looks like they make a surface skimmer box for the CPR too, although I have no experience w/it).

 

[turbonegro]

I had a 10 gal mantis tank with some softies, zoos and lps in it. I didn't have a skimmer on it only a hang on the back filter and some pc lighting(should have used a 70w hqi). If you do weekly water changes and keep up with top off you wont need a skimmer. I would use the money for lighting and a decent nano power head. Here is a good link for you to read.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=553708

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=707234

 

[svynx]

Thanks for the responces, Bobby and Joel (I like that name). Joel, I might PM you in the near future once I have the tank set up and running. Thought I'd toss in the other suggestions I was given and see if they are any good: Tunze 9002, Deltec MCE600, and the Odyssea PS 75. I've been reading about all of them. I'll have to look at the CPR. The tank is coming with pretty much everything that I would need, since it's been running for about 1.5 years. It has the Current 65w PC light. I figure for what I'm after, that's plenty.

Joel

 

[Jandree22]

ha, yeah us Joel's are few and far between. You got PM.

 

[03LightningSVT]

I have both the 9002 and Deltec. I use the Deltec on a 45 gal. Oceanic Tech Tank w/ 12 gal. sump and it is more than enough skimmer for this SPS dominated tank. The 9002 which I only use when I set up my quarantine tank is a great little skimmer and very quiet, but be aware, it is in tank not hang on, and the water level has to be maintain for it to operate correctly.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

All that being said, I agree with Joel & Bobby, frequent water change is the best way to go for the livestock you spoke of.