Skimmer or Powerheads??

[BigBlueTang]

So as many of you may have seen, I started a thread about a week ago about going no skimmer, and found that I have the funds to get a nice Reef Octopus classic int150. To buy it though, I will have to forgo my powerheads, so the only thing giving water circulation will be the return pump... Since I am going fowlr will this be a big problem??

 

[Shawn O]

I would go with the powerheads first and skimmer next unless you have a powerful return pump and several locline spray heads to disperse the flow widely. If so, then the skimmer would be better. Just my $0.02, for whatever it's worth.

 

[d2mini]

Hmmm... with fish only, I think you'd be ok with going with the skimmer first.

 

[Grkgod36]

Why would you have to give up your power heads if you do a skimmer?
I think regardless if it's reef or fowler protein skimmer is a must .it just makes things so much easier.
And so is a power head to move all the detritus . Oxygenate the water etc

 

[ericarenee]

Water and Detritus movement is Much more important then even a skimmer. having stuff settle on the bottom of the tank would be the worse issue ever.. Get GOOD Quality WAVE PUMPS . Then skimmer but you do NEED Both. If your live rock is UNCURED OR has a lot of growth on it. You may not be able to wait long for the skimmer and will be doing some Huge water changes in the mean time..

 

[Shawn O]

He said he has the funds for one of the other at the moment.

 

[gone fishin]

Tough call. I think I would go with the skimmer since right now your FOWLR. I would however do a good job of vacuuming the rock during WC's

 

[nuxx]

Is it a new tank?

Why not give it more time to cycle and mature just running the returns.

Once you can add a powerhead and skimmer, add fish.

Also, you could probably buy a dirt cheap powerhead if you look around.

I bought some AquaTop powerheads for our QT tanks. They were dirt cheap and moved A LOT of water.

 

[BigBlueTang]

Hmm... It is a tough call...
Yes it is a new tank.
Ill probably just take the plunge and get both rw 8 and the skimmer

 

[Martini5788]

Hmm... It is a tough call...
Yes it is a new tank.
Ill probably just take the plunge and get both rw 8 and the skimmer

I think that's a good idea. If that ends up not being possible, then I would get the skimmer and cheap power heads off amazon for like $10. You can use those
Power heads later for mixing water for wc, and qt tanks

 

[BigBlueTang]

Yeah thats smart!!! Thank you guys sooo much for all of your help! Just one more little way off topic question, when you got your marco rocks, were there broken off tiny pieces everywhere?? I just got 75 lbs of marco and theres a lot of break off

 

[nuxx]

Ours came on a pallet, nothing really broken.

 

[JoeVandal49]

If forced to choose one, Powerheads first IMO.

 

[whyamisofly]

I see you are in Denver (as I am) and I am selling a Koralia Magnum 8 if you are wanting to move some serious water!