I need to hear all feedback from people using skimmers on their 12g AquaPods. After almost a year I still can't get my nitrates down to an acceptable level. I just did a new NO3 test and it was off the scale. I am especially interested in that new Sapphire skimmer. Help....please?
Need skimmer feedback quick!
- Thread starter macperry
- Start date
sir_dudeguy
Active member
i dont know much about skimmers on small tanks (i dont even run one on my 40 right now actually...mostly cuz mine doesnt work tho lol) But usually a 12 gallon tank probably wont need one as long as you keep up on water changes. So do you?
Also, what type of water are you using? If it is tap water, it probably has nitrates in it, so even doing a water change or topping off wont help...you'l just add them right back.
Do you have any chaeto or other stuff in a fuge? That definately helps.
Lastly and most importantly imo, are you running any bioballs or any other filter media (bioballs, biowheels, biomax or other ceramic medias)? If so, those all make nitrates, so if you have them, slowly take it away and add live rock if you dont have any right now.
Also, what type of water are you using? If it is tap water, it probably has nitrates in it, so even doing a water change or topping off wont help...you'l just add them right back.
Do you have any chaeto or other stuff in a fuge? That definately helps.
Lastly and most importantly imo, are you running any bioballs or any other filter media (bioballs, biowheels, biomax or other ceramic medias)? If so, those all make nitrates, so if you have them, slowly take it away and add live rock if you dont have any right now.
Hopeful Reefer
Premium Member
I agree, if you use tap water or have someplace like bio-balls or filter pads to catch detritus those are probably your likely causes...
If you do insist though on getting one of the Sapphire skimmers for your nano, I've heard nothing by good things (so far) about them...
If you do insist though on getting one of the Sapphire skimmers for your nano, I've heard nothing by good things (so far) about them...
I threw out all the sponges, bio-balls, and ceramic rings about a month after I got my nano. For the last 9 months all I have been running is a PolyFilter in the first (overflow) chamber. I also recently upgraded my flow by replacing the stock pump with a MaxiJet 900. Went to the LFS today and looked around...decided to try replacing the PolyFilter with a full unit of chemi-pure. I hope this helps until I can get some feedback on that Sapphire skimmer. BTW...I have about 20lbs of live rock for bio filtration, and I do a one gallon water change per week with LFS bought pre mixed salt water(whose parameters I checked myself), and top off is done with LFS bought RODI water(also checked by me). I guess the bio-load is just too high to go without a skimmer.
Mac,
I'm looking to set up an Aquapod12 as well - and am interested in adding a skimmer. I'd like to put the Tunze nano DOC in there, but know that I"ll have to mod the tank to fit the 4x4" skimmer into the tank. There were a couple of thread saying the Sapphire is ok, but might need some tweaking.
As per your water problem - have you tried larger water changes for a few weeks? Like 4-5 gallons each week for a month? It's a large percentage, but I bet it would fix things pretty well. You could then go back to smaller volumes once things are in check.
Just my 1/5 of a dime.
K
I'm looking to set up an Aquapod12 as well - and am interested in adding a skimmer. I'd like to put the Tunze nano DOC in there, but know that I"ll have to mod the tank to fit the 4x4" skimmer into the tank. There were a couple of thread saying the Sapphire is ok, but might need some tweaking.
As per your water problem - have you tried larger water changes for a few weeks? Like 4-5 gallons each week for a month? It's a large percentage, but I bet it would fix things pretty well. You could then go back to smaller volumes once things are in check.
Just my 1/5 of a dime.
K
Similar threads
