New- skimmer question

[Deanrg63]

Hi everyone
I m relatively new to the saltwater hobby and like most everyone else have had my fair share of frustrations. I have a 16 Gal bio-cube. I want to add a protein skimmer. I purchased the bio-cube skimmer that didn’t fit, then another bio-skimmer by Aqua gadget that won t fit either. I am having a problem with green hair algae even though I have done everything suggested to control it. Adding a protein skimmer after a good thorough removal of the algae is the only thing I have not done.
I have read that removing the false bottom of chamber one will give me room for the biocube skimmer. But does it really matter which chamber the skimmer goes in?
Thanks
DRG

 

[Uncle99]

Hi everyone
I m relatively new to the saltwater hobby and like most everyone else have had my fair share of frustrations. I have a 16 Gal bio-cube. I want to add a protein skimmer. I purchased the bio-cube skimmer that didn’t fit, then another bio-skimmer by Aqua gadget that won t fit either. I am having a problem with green hair algae even though I have done everything suggested to control it. Adding a protein skimmer after a good thorough removal of the algae is the only thing I have not done.
I have read that removing the false bottom of chamber one will give me room for the biocube skimmer. But does it really matter which chamber the skimmer goes in?
Thanks
DRG

Do you have any issue with Nitrate or Phosphate?
To rid GHA, the skimmer may help, but can also make it worse if you don’t know where your nutrients levels are and what are they doing, week over week.
No nitrate and phosphate is bad, too much is bad, but each has a different solution.
Phosphate and light are the two big GHA contributors.
Limit them and over time ( and maybe a few snails) GHA will disappear on its own, provided parameters are solid, solid solid.

 

[griss]

Do you have any issue with Nitrate or Phosphate?
To rid GHA, the skimmer may help, but can also make it worse if you don’t know where your nutrients levels are and what are they doing, week over week.
No nitrate and phosphate is bad, too much is bad, but each has a different solution.
Phosphate and light are the two big GHA contributors.
Limit them and over time ( and maybe a few snails) GHA will disappear on its own, provided parameters are solid, solid solid.

Truth.

 

[Guygettnby]

First thing i must ask is how old is this tank? What fish, inverts, corals are currently in it? Stock lights? What other filtration? Powerheads?

What are your current parameters?

The smaller tanks can be a pain in the arse sometimes, but can also be really simple. Some of the smaller tanks in have owned were better then my larger tanks.

Have you looked into HOB skimmers? All of my smaller tanks used HOB skimmers. I really disliked all the skimmers made to fit into the chambers. They just simply didn't make the cut and were all sub par on performance.