My tank is 2-3 weeks old as I've mentioned in another thread. When I visited the pet store a few days ago to replace a broken filter I was recommended to purchase a protein skimmer rather than a filter because of it's benefits for tanks with live rock and fish which is what I have running. The worker told me that the filter will raise nitrate levels and showed me a p.skimmer that cost $109 by instant ocean. Would this purchase be smart to make? I'm not too sure what a skimmer does and I would be hanging it over the back of the tank because I have no knowledge of sumps or what they do. Id appreciate feedback on all of this! Thanks
Protein skimmer to replace filter? Adding a sump?
- Thread starter Erawbon
- Start date
maddmaxx
New member
if your goin with a hang on back skimmer. there are much better ones then the one they suggested to you...
a skimmer removes nutrients that are in the water. it is very very beneficial to a reef tank, not a must have item, but very good piece of equipment to add if your goin reef..
over all, i would suggest a skimmer, just do some research first on what skimmer would be best for you.......sumps also are a good addition to the filtration system. but thats a hole other topic lol....
a skimmer removes nutrients that are in the water. it is very very beneficial to a reef tank, not a must have item, but very good piece of equipment to add if your goin reef..
over all, i would suggest a skimmer, just do some research first on what skimmer would be best for you.......sumps also are a good addition to the filtration system. but thats a hole other topic lol....
Mcgeezer
Reef gardener
You cannot just have a skimmer and no other kind of mechanical filtration. Your tank would get nasty very quick.
A sump is simple. Water drains out of tank into sump-passes thru filter sock/filter floss to remove detritus-protein skimmer sits in sump and removes organics-water passes thru baffles to remove bubbles-enters return chamber where the return pump returns water to the display tank
Some sumps have a middle section for a Refugium which is a place to have macro algae that naturally removes phosphates and provides a place for small creatures like Copepods to live in.
A sump is simple. Water drains out of tank into sump-passes thru filter sock/filter floss to remove detritus-protein skimmer sits in sump and removes organics-water passes thru baffles to remove bubbles-enters return chamber where the return pump returns water to the display tank
Some sumps have a middle section for a Refugium which is a place to have macro algae that naturally removes phosphates and provides a place for small creatures like Copepods to live in.
Are you supposed to build your own sump? I have to do research on them I have not read anything about them yet. As much information that you can provide on sumps and skimmers would be helpful to me. I'm looking for a direction to start in for my tank. I'm not planning on doing reef, just live rock and fish with some inverts.
pmrossetti
Active member
what size is your tank?
SwampyBill
New member
Depending on the size of your tank, a HOB skimmer could work. E-shopps makes a decent HOB skimmer that's pretty economical.
Xavibear
Crazy Prophet
This is untrue. Mechanical filtration can trap nitrates if you don't keep up on your maintenance.
I run a tank with just rock, sand & a hob skimmer. You'll also find some people who run tanks without skimmers, just rock & sand.
SwampyBill
New member
+1^^^...
In over 12 yrs. in this hobby, I've never used mechanical filtration in any of my tanks. Usually have sump & skimmer; early on, smaller tanks had HOB skimmer, rock & sand.
In over 12 yrs. in this hobby, I've never used mechanical filtration in any of my tanks. Usually have sump & skimmer; early on, smaller tanks had HOB skimmer, rock & sand.
oakengineer
New member
Eshopps makes some nice pre-built sumps. Depending on the size, they're about $160. I built my own out of a 15gal because I needed a shorter sump than is standard. That is the cheaper way to go, but I ended up tearing out the baffles and starting over as I realized my mistakes. If you want to go this route, use 1/16" plexi or thicker, or plan to be disappointed. I can shoot you a picture of my design if you like.
To add some other points about a sump, sumps are nice because they keep the water level in your main tank constant. They also give you a great place to put equipment like heaters, skimmers, ect. They can cause introduce a few new failure modes to your system with drains that can clog, motors that can run dry, fittings that can leak, ect.
As far as skimmers, my LFS suggested an AquaC Urchin and I really like it. The build quality is spectacular, and it is very easy to adjust. The Urchin is an in-sump style, but the remora is a nearly identical HOB version. Cost is a little more than the instant ocean one, but I bet it is better quality.
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I found a lot of good info about sumps on melev's website. It's a good place to research.
http://www.melevsreef.com/node/710
http://www.melevsreef.com/node/710
Macimage
Active member
Yes, mechanical filtration is not necessary.
Live rock, live sand and a good protein skimmer work well.
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