Cheap Skimmers

[Avy]

Yo everybody! I'm a newbie here,so pls duo duo zhi jiao,hehe..

Jus wanna ask,the LFS around my neigbourhood told me to buy this cheap china made skimmer that is basically a plastic cone with an air pump operated airstone,it's been producing medium brown stuff. Are this skimmers of any real practical use? My system is 25 gallons..

[35Cents]

Welcome to SRC!

If budget is really tight, an airstone is better than nothing... I running airstone skimmer too but using a really big air pump ( 4 Nozzles) to skim out light teh o stuffs. But IMO, its better to get a better skimmer if you got corals in tank.

[piglet]

for a 25 gallons. air stone.. should be okie... slowly stock up your tank esp for a 25g.. nitrate and ph.. can fluctuate > very fast...

What is your budget ? ... may be other nano. reefers > k give you better advices. .

[penyu]

Of course using that skimmer will not be as efficient as those pump driven skimmers. But its definately better to use the 'cheap' skimmer than not using any skimmer at all. The drawback is, u will have to change the air wood regularly.

[Marine Newbie]

pardon my ignorance, why need to change the air wood often?

[iewnehz]

pardon my ignorance, why need to change the air wood often?

when it is used over time..the bubbles will get larger and larger..then it wouldn't be efficient anymore

[Marine Newbie]

what's the average period to change? mine is going to be 2 months soon.. still looks and skimming ok

[blueheaven]

Actually IMO those airstone driven skimmers are a waste of money and resources.

Just think, why would some of us settle for large expensive skimmers when we might as well go for $5 ones?

[Marine Newbie]

But bro, there is always budget and space constraint le.. just like me.. skimming something better than not skimming le...

[penyu]

If u do not change when the air wood is worn off, the skimmer will not skim efficiently. There will not be any brown skimmate in the collection cup. The bubbles will also be lesser.

[blueheaven]

Well, much planning must be done before you start the hobby

Like me, I spent half a year planning my tank

So if you think you can make do with "budget" stuff, think again

Smaller tanks are much more difficult to maintain than bigger tanks

No offence but just my opinion

[35Cents]

Actually IMO those airstone driven skimmers are a waste of money and resources.

Just think, why would some of us settle for large expensive skimmers when we might as well go for $5 ones?

Because not all loaded $ mah bro... Expensive skimmers will definately be better but we poor man got poor man's method...cannot afford condo then living in attap house is better than no roof over head mah.

But not to worry, I believe all newbies like me will be upgrading equipments over time. Dont think a lot of people started off reefing using godly equipment. My 35Cents...

[Marine Newbie]

Anyway i living in school hostel...graduating in 1.5 years, no point do so swee now later have to move home.. upgrade when i move home.. hehe.. but my budget 2ft tank using all second hand equipment plus "this" airstone skimmer still doing well.. contented with my reefing as for now... wahaha cheers,

[piglet]

haha.. my first tank.. seven years ago.. also use a cheap airstone skimmer.. need to change the air stone'' > every 2 months.. When the bubbles gets bigger, is time to change it.

For a small tank.. a good air stone skimmer.. is okie. it depend on budget too. what blueheaven said is truth too. My first tank >3ftx1.5ftx1.5ft .. the ph, nitrate etc fluctuate fast'. thus need to do more "water change'..

just slowly stock up your small tank, don't over stock it with fishes. Helps to reduce reduce the fluctuation. for a 25g tank. buy a expensive skimmer like ev-120 or 240 or beckett.. over kill.

If can wait.. save up for bigger tank. but k understand'. my first tank .. small too. Just avoid those demanding corals like sps ..

Avy... be a responsible reefer.. and WELCOME to this hobby.

[blueheaven]

Well if you are content and your LS are doing well, power to you

[Avy]

Thx guys! Only got 6 fishes now,1 Amphiron Ocellaris(mabe wrong spelling),Sabae and Maroon+1 Noen velvet Damsel and 1 Purple Dottyback. Intended Lifestock: Bi color Blenny+Six Line Wrasse at the moment.. ANy suggestions on skimmers below $50 not bad one.. Not using sump.

[espresso]

Try weipro skimmer...this should be within ur budget.

[Avy]

Thx. Weipro.. Izzit external? I believe it goes with a powerhead right? Sorry,idiot when it comes to gadgets,hehe..

[KennethK]

Weipro hangon outside tank. U only need to use the pump inside the tank while skimmer outside. Abt $30 for skimmer. alot 2nd hand here oso. But if outside u better tape or silicon those joints as some may drip.

[35Cents]

yeah, external one, those hang on the back kind.

[Avy]

Xie Xie! HOng-on,hmm.. My tank infront of wall leh,how thick izzit?

[Travy]

Thx guys! Only got 6 fishes now,1 Amphiron Ocellaris(mabe wrong spelling),Sabae and Maroon+1 Noen velvet Damsel and 1 Purple Dottyback. Intended Lifestock: Bi color Blenny+Six Line Wrasse at the moment.. ANy suggestions on skimmers below $50 not bad one.. Not using sump.

I think u better stop stocking fishes liao if u intend to keep some corals...

damsels and clowns are quite greedy and can produce quite alot of poo...

NO3 levels.....