Protien Skimmer?

[Nikko3355]

I have had a 29g Bio for about a month now. I bought it running, cycled and with cured rock. After I bought it the previous owner told me he used tap water for all of his changes, yuk. I have three more RO/DI water changes left to hopefully have most of it phased out. I do not have any fish in it, just two shrimp, a couple hermits and some snails. I also have cyano starting and spreading. I drop a couple of pellets in every couple of days but nothing else. I was thinking about getting a protien skimmer for this tank. I have heard that they are not worth it for a 29g bio and have also heard that they work wonders. I'd like to get opinions from people here on their usefulness and if there are any that can be recommended.
Thanks!

 

[Sparks82]

If you have the newer Coralife model, you don't have many options. I managed to get a Hydor Slim Skim Nano in the first chamber and it's working pretty well for me. I was determined to get something better than the Oceanic one with the air stone (no offense to anyone who does well with it). Beware the Aqualife 115. It will fit the old Oceanic Biocubes, but not too well in the Coralife.

 

[Nikko3355]

I think its the new one, it has the four light switches. I was also thinking of getting the InTank media basket and filling it with live rubble. Any thoughts?

 

[jenglese]

I have a 28g nano cube and I use the aquamaxx hob 1 but know if the of the tanks are the same.

 

[Sparks82]

I think its the new one, it has the four light switches. I was also thinking of getting the InTank media basket and filling it with live rubble. Any thoughts?

I'd skip the rubble. I hear it becomes more trouble than it's worth. I also have the intank media basket (I run floss, purigen, and chemi-pur elite). Is your back glass blacked out or clear? I'm pretty sure the Oceanic cubes are blacked out and the newer Coralife units are clear. I'm definitely no pro with this stuff, but I have done a lot of reading on upgrades for this tank and I'm happy to help where I can.

 

[Nikko3355]

I'd skip the rubble. I hear it becomes more trouble than it's worth. I also have the intank media basket (I run floss, purigen, and chemi-pur elite). Is your back glass blacked out or clear? I'm pretty sure the Oceanic cubes are blacked out and the newer Coralife units are clear. I'm definitely no pro with this stuff, but I have done a lot of reading on upgrades for this tank and I'm happy to help where I can. View attachment 209977

Looks like you have a good set up going, your skimmer seems to be collecting a lot of skimmate. Can you close the lid with the cup installed? My back panels are clear and from other hints I believe that my tank is a newer Coralife model.
Do you have anything after the intank basket?
I appreciate the help.

 

[Sparks82]

I can close the lid. I had to take off the suction cup brackets and use a tie wrap to keep it from sinking too low. It's snug enough in there so I don't have to worry about side to side movement. I don't have anything after the basket. I was considering the mini fuge, but folks have said it can be a mess. If you choose to get the skimmer, make sure it's the Hydor Slim Skim Nano and not the normal Slim Skim as I think that one is too big.