what is the best skimmer for my tank?

[superdave104]

Hey guys. I just moved up to a bigger tank. i transferred everything from a 40g column tank into a 55g long tank a few weeks ago. All the fish and corals are very happy. parameters are ok but could be improved (nitrates a bit high).

Anyways with this move im wanting to add a skimmer. ive been trying to do with out but it obviously needs one. But im having trouble finding the right one for my tank.

We were looking at the hydor slim-skim. While it got great reviews and looks nice, im afraid that it just wont fit in the tank for the following reasons..

- With the top needing to be out of the water so far, i dont think my lid will fit. I have some jumpers in the tank and a curious cat. i think a lid is a must.

- With the body being 18" long, the bottom of the skimmer would be close to if not touching the sand.


i have no sump tank. just the 55g. so a sump skimmer wouldnt work for me?


Staying close to the price of the hydor, what are my options?

tia

 

[BarIzoN]

I have an Aquamaxx HOB on my 55g sumpless and I'm really happy. Very quiet and works pretty well.

I also have lids on my tank - from Aqueon - and I use a plastic strip to fill up the extension of the tank.

Also, I cut the glass with a dremel tool using a diamond blade to accomodate the bubble stopper. Bubble stopper is an extension with a foam that captures the bubbles.

If you want to cut the glass, use plenty of water and go slow.

- BarIzoN -

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[BarIzoN]

Here's the general look of the tank. The bubble stopper isn't a big deal for me.

The last pic you can see the plastic profile filling to the gap.

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[superdave104]

that looks like something that would work better for me. ill look into it for sure. thanks

 

[BarIzoN]

Definitely worth it!

I started with two HOB Penguin Filters 150, and at the beginning was fine. Later on, without cleaning the filters in a frequent basis, nitrate start to spike. I had peak of 40+ and decided to buy the skimmer.

Nitrate levels went down a little bit, but I still had the filters on. Soon, I realized the filters were generating nitrates and then I removed those.

Nitrates now is something on 5, which I can live with.

- BarIzoN -

 

[superdave104]

i have a decent canister filter setup. im just hoping the skimmer helps get them down. right now theyre around 15ppm i believe. so im getting some ugly algae growth. the nasty brown kind mostly

 

[BarIzoN]

Skimmer will help a bit, but you don't necessarily need the filter after attaching the skimmer.

Also, you must have a good flow, and in my case, I chose the Maxpect Gyre 130. Simple and straight forward. It handles well the flow on my 55g tank and is extremely powerful. I run at 40% max. Sometimes at night I moved it down to 20%.

 

[superdave104]

ended up going with the aquamaxx hob-1. thanks!

 

[BarIzoN]

That was a good move! You'll not regret!!

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