Skimmer selection
- Thread starter Ranchhand02
- Start date
Ranchhand02
New member
Where is the cheapest place to buy a skimmer?
Fizz71
FragSwapper
I also like MarineDepot.com and ThatFishPlace.com for a variety of skimmers. But some of the best quality ones can be ones that are made by a single vendor and not sold in stores like myreefcreations.com.
You really have an OVERLOADED amount of choices. Figure out what size sump you can accomodate first, then see what will fit in it. On your size tank I'd avoid the hang-ons unless you have some serious back wall clearance for a good one and won't mind the occasional micro bubble. I don't like ANY bubbles in my tank so I stick with in-sump ones.
BTW...There are also some sump skimmers than can sit NEXT to the sump and not IN it. It all depends on your space so like I said...see what sump you can fit first, then see what clearance you have for a skimmer since that can be a serious hinderance to those that don't have "fish rooms" with open sump setups.
You really have an OVERLOADED amount of choices. Figure out what size sump you can accomodate first, then see what will fit in it. On your size tank I'd avoid the hang-ons unless you have some serious back wall clearance for a good one and won't mind the occasional micro bubble. I don't like ANY bubbles in my tank so I stick with in-sump ones.
BTW...There are also some sump skimmers than can sit NEXT to the sump and not IN it. It all depends on your space so like I said...see what sump you can fit first, then see what clearance you have for a skimmer since that can be a serious hinderance to those that don't have "fish rooms" with open sump setups.
Fizz71
FragSwapper
Oh yeah...BTW...It's my understanding that a skimmer does NOTHING for nitrate "removal". What it does is remove protiens that would have eventually BECOME nitrate (among other things) if not removed.
To lower nitrates you need one or more of the following: Macro Algea in a reguium, DSB, RDSB, or do water changes. I have also tried nitrate sponges and chemicals that advertise nitrate removal but I've seen limited long term success with them. My current system is newly established with an RDSB and Cheato in the sump and will soon be setup for easy water changes. That is my "nitrate removal" system although I have an ASM G-4X skimmer as well.
Another way to keep nitrates low is watching how much you add via food, but like a skimmer that doesn't lower nitrate levels, but rather keeps them from rising as fast.
To lower nitrates you need one or more of the following: Macro Algea in a reguium, DSB, RDSB, or do water changes. I have also tried nitrate sponges and chemicals that advertise nitrate removal but I've seen limited long term success with them. My current system is newly established with an RDSB and Cheato in the sump and will soon be setup for easy water changes. That is my "nitrate removal" system although I have an ASM G-4X skimmer as well.
Another way to keep nitrates low is watching how much you add via food, but like a skimmer that doesn't lower nitrate levels, but rather keeps them from rising as fast.
