Budget Pico/Nano tank, possible?

[illumnae]

Best I got with the iQ skimmer is green tea. Not super efficient, but something is better than nothing imo, especially for just $20+

[Evolutionz]

That's what I've been thinking.. Light skimmate never mind. At least better den no skimmate.. Hahahaha

[Firestarter]

Dude, as mentioned before for tank of this size, using inefficient skimmer is even worse than not using skimmer at all.

Is it not the case of using a skimmer is better than not using one. With more frequent WC it is even better than using an average working skimmer.

[Evolutionz]

How come inefficient skimmer is worst den no skimmer? If I were to keep up 10% wc weekly + a skimmer won't it be better? And if I were to dose goodbye po4 I need a skimmer to take out the particles right? Please advice. Thanks!

[Marine_fanaticz]

Hey bro I'm also not sure why its worse.. but if you want to use the iq skimmer you have to really carefully adjust the height and airflow into the skimmer.... I think the skimmer can act as a mechanical filtration, sometimes I can see small prices of dirt collected in the cup

[Firestarter]

In layman terminology:

Scenario: If you're a boss and you have an employee that comes to work late/incompetent/give attitude problems, would you rather not have such an employee and do the work yourself?

Argument: But having more manpower is better than no manpower right?

You decide.

With inefficient skimmer (equivalent 5% WC) , your weekly WC is 10%.

Without skimmer, with frequent WC, your WC is 20%. This difference in 5% already overpowers the inefficient skimmer.

(this is just for your understanding. I'm not saying skimmer is comparable to WC)

Besides, skimmer also contributes to heat and takes up space. For smaller tanks, it is easier to do frequent WC (than larger tanks) which already does the work that a skimmer can do. For your goodbye po4, WC will remove the 'particles', you do not necessary need a skimmer for that.

[Evolutionz]

I get your point and i appreciate for explaining to me. already bought the IQ skimmer though.. will still try it out eventually.. thanks!

[BFG]

The solution to pollution is dilution.

[Evolutionz]

Some updates.. changed the carbon and resin in my crystal pro and im finally getting 0 TDS!

anyway, installed my IQ skimmer(changed the wood to sanders 2) yesterday in my HOB and surprisingly, it fits perfectly. after running for a day, its starting to skim some light yellowish color.. will stop skimming tomorrow and let the tank cycle.

filtration, had to leave the lid off.. the white filter bag contains some rowaphos.. will be adding purigen when tank finish cycling.

did a slight rescape.. should be more circulation now among the rocks.

Noticed some of this small white dots that are alive and moving.. what are they?

Thanks!

[MarcoVan]

pods. good stuff for your tank (:

[Evolutionz]

great to hear that!

anyway, today is day 3 of running my IQ skimmer and i noticed the IQ skimmer is skimming green colored skimmate.. any reason why? should i leave it on or turn it off till tank finish cycling?

[Evolutionz]

My tank as of today, is cycling for 2 weeks already.. lots of pods sticking on the glass walls.

im seeing some green and brown algae surfacing on the sand as well as the rocks.. i know brown algae are normal but is green algae normal too? this few days i reduced my light period to only 2 hours per day..

Anyway, Today took readings of my tank all using API test kit after doing 10% WC :

Ammonia : 0ppm

Nitrite : 0ppm

Nitrate : 30ppm~

pH : 8.2

phosphate : 0.25

both ammonia and nitrite is 0ppm.. does this means my tank is cycled?

i wont be adding any livestock for at least another week though.. maybe another 2 weeks if i can tahan..

[sunny03]

What livestock you going to add ? Brown to green is normal. .. since you already waiting for so long why dont wait for another 1 week

[Evolutionz]

Not intending to add anything for at least 1 - 2 weeks later. Just want to know if tank's cycled..

[Firestarter]

Why are you doing WC during cycling? And you do not need to turn your lights on. It only promotes algae growth.

[Evolutionz]

i read that doing WC while cycling can lower phosphate so will reduce algae.. i thought coraline algae needs lighting? so i should keep my light completely off?

[Firestarter]

Turn off the lights and stop doing WC. It will only screw up the cycling. Only do WC when cycling is over.