Oh No, Here we go again! (Protein Skimmers)

[boodwah]

All right, here is what I've got going on now. I have a 48" long 90 gallon tank with overflow, a 30 gallon sump with refugium and Bio-Balls, a 700 GPH pump, and an old Magnum 330 just in case (I guess?)

I plan on doing a live rock setup. Most people say I will need a protein skimmer. Early on my LFS said I would not need it but I am reading widely varying opinions online in different forums but the weighted average says "Get a skimmer!" So, I am seriously considering one. In fact, I am online looking for one right now.

Since early on I thought I did not need one, I did not budget one. I know, I know, save now; pay later. But would a Jebo 180 or a Aqua Clear 150 do the job?

And is there any other filtration I will be needing?

I want to do this right. I bought a few books but they are stuck in the undergravel with a trickle filter days. That's what I was doing when I first did this 20 some years ago.

I have read most of the posts on the sticky pages as well as the links. There is a plethora of advice there. Some of it does vary and there is no concensus on many issues. That's part of what makes this so fun. It is an evolving hobby with no set right way/wrong way. But my newbie butt is having a very hard time deciding what do do on the skimmer.

Thanks guys and gals! You all are awesome!

Wes

 

[shag26272]

try an ASM
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...en=PROD&Product_Code=ASM-G1&Category_Code=ASM

and ditch the bioballs, they create nitrates

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

i agree with the ASM skimmers best bang for the buck i would go with either a g2 or g3 i had the jebo skimmer and let me put it this way i HAD the jebo skimmer they are junk IMO worked for a month then went to crap no matter how well i cleaned it. don't waste your money. get a good skimmer now rather than a cheap one that you will end up replacing later

 

[chrisp074]

Give this a read-
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/protein_skimmer_impressions.htm

-Chris

 

[Runner]

Are you planning on doing a reef setup or fish only? Most fish do okay with higher nitrate levels. But some of the more sensitive corals need very low nitrates which would be harder to achieve with bio-media in your filter.

A protein skimmer is a very useful method of nutrient export. I would recommend one (although I couldn't recommmend a brand since I built my own with PVC fittings and Rubbermaid containers). Since you have a sump/refugium, I would get a 18W warm-white flourescent spotlight and some macro-algae like razor caulurpa or chaeto (chaeto will cause less long-term headaches). This will feed on the nitrates and phosphates and bring them down. You may find you won't even need the bioballs (or could leave them in as a safety valve and let the nitrates they produce be consumed by the macro).

As for bio-balls, they work great in taking ammonia down to nitrates and keeping the dangerous compounds (ammonia and nitrite) in check by taking them to the nitrate stage rapidly. They are an excellent buffer against a large critter dying. If you use one, you'll find yourself doing frequent water changes to keep the nitrates down like you do in a plant-less freshwater aquarium.

There are many ways to approach this. I wouldn't dump bio-balls just because somebody repeats the mantra "they are a nitrate factory". They do an excellent job of providing a big aerobic bacteria base and head off crashes provided you take care of the nitrates by other means. It is great for a fish-only tank -- perhaps even soft corals if you change the water enough or add a skimmer and/or macro setup. That said, I just removed my bio media after running and establishing my tank for about a year. My macro-algae had taken my nitrates down to 0, anyway.

 

[Runner]

Also, given your location, here is a link you might find interesting:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=286

The Middle Tennessee Reef Club is quite active. Some of our members in the ETRC just got back from a Tennessee frag swap in Nashville.

 

[ledford1]

I'm sold on skimmers - the single best piece of equipment on a tank IMO. A good skimmer and LR is bascially all you need.

Go with an in-sump skimmer, they're generally better than HOB skimmers. Buying an ASM (G1 or G1x) or Euroreef skimmer would be a great way to go. If you absolutlely don't have toom in the sump, Coralife Super Skimmers have quickly become favorites as far as HOB skimmers, and the CSS120, or better yet the CSS225 would be good. It certainly doesn't hurt to oversize your skimmer.

Also, I'm not a big fan of bioballs either. Nitrates can be an issue with bioball setups. You can take them out, slowly if the tank is already running, and just let the LR and skimmer take care of the rest.

I would run you Magnum cannister filter with carbon only - no filters. Cannisters, without regular maintenance, can become dirty and throw nitrates into the tank. Using it for carbon to keep the water clear would be good I think though.

Good luck.