Should i get a protein skimmer for my 29 gallon?

[schnebbles]

Ya, my HOB has already overflown onto my floor. The alarm is a good idea! i do change the cup almost daily but that doesn't bug me.

 

[NS Mike D]

get a HOB sump (CPR has them). I'm about to remove my nano skimmer from my HOB CPR 5 gal sump. Too noisy and while it does remove skim, just not enough - regular water changes and a cheato packed sump (with a LED light) is all I need.

I do have a heavy bio load for a 29 gal tank, but i have good number of softie and LPS that gobble up organics. I have three acros that are doing fairly well. I even have a sponge colony that is flourishing. My N & P numbers fall within Rea Sea's guidelines for growth.

IMO, nano skimmers are not as efficient as their big versions to be worth the money and noise. I'm sure others may disagree, as this is merely my experience.

 

[Foundry]

Im running a similar setup on a 25gal nano, 2 HOB filters (one with sponge & bio, other with polisher and carbon). A few little fish, inverts and corals. Added a nano skimmer a few weeks back (free air stone biocube one from a friend). The skimmer sucks but it does work and I pull a skimmer cup worth of grab out every few days, it runs wetter then Id like but there's certainly some crap in there. Can't help but think its helping remove organics.

Over the holidays I plan to build a slim HOB sump/refugium and stick the skimmer in there. The main issue I have with the skimmer is fluctuations in water level throw it out of wack. The HOB sump should solve that. If you opt for a skimmer ensure you get a good one with a pin wheel and not an air stone. Mine was free and I still hate it....

 

[NS Mike D]

get a HOB sump (CPR has them). I'm about to remove my nano skimmer from my HOB CPR 5 gal sump. Too noisy and while it does remove skim, just not enough - regular water changes and a cheato packed sump (with a LED light) is all I need.

I do have a heavy bio load for a 29 gal tank, but i have good number of softie and LPS that gobble up organics. I have three acros that are doing fairly well. I even have a sponge colony that is flourishing. My N & P numbers fall within Rea Sea's guidelines for growth.

IMO, nano skimmers are not as efficient as their big versions to be worth the money and noise. I'm sure others may disagree, as this is merely my experience.

for full disclosure I pulled my nano skimmer out of my HOB CPR fuge this morning and dumped a cup of pale green skim. I cleaned it for storage and the thought if that pale green water staying in the tank was too much to bear so back in the fuge it went. Cleaned, it's much quieter.