To skim or not to?

[hedgehog72]

Quick question

Do I really need a skimmer for such a small tank (only 15g)? It has a pump and filter, and the water movement seems to be good with the extra power head in there...

If so, spotted some cheap air powered ones (whatever is the proper name for them?) like 10 bucks... Would one of them do?

(PS sorry for the post in the wrong forum earlier )

[dleecool]

What do u keep? corals? fish? sand? rock?? There is no right or wrong answer for having skimmer!!

This is a hobby, so if u think u can afford one , no harm to have one!!!

[Tanga]

Bro if you are hardworking willing to change water every week and have only 2 small fish inside your tank then no need to use a skimmer. If otherwise then i suggest you get a good skimmer and don't be afraid to spent money on a good skimmer cos you'll never regret it.

[FuEl]

Go barebottom and siphon the bottom for wastes everyday. Won't need skimmer already.

[hedgehog72]

dleecool, thanks for the reply. Im just starting out, few issues with some corals I bought over the weekend, and in the process of trying to revive them found a real cheep skimmer.

I have sand, live rock, 2 very small fish and 3 coral. If all goes well, will increase the coral a little, and add 2-3 more fish (not at once though!) So I guess, a bit of everything

Was looking for some advice from the experts here. I guess I should get a skimmer, but was really wondering if a 10 bucks one would actually do a good job for my tank or if I should save up and get one of the more expensive ones.

I guess from Tanga's reply I should look at a skimmer, and a good one at that. So I guess I should use one, would a cheep one be better than no skimmer until I can save a bit of cash to get one of the more expensive ones?

[jervismun]

Yes... from what I heard, the $10 air stone skimmer is quite ok (definitely better than nothing). You also need an air pump which will prob cost you $6. So, while saving... get a skimmer running. I always enjoy those brownish skimmate in the collection cup. It's as interesting as the tank itself, lol

[hedgehog72]

Ive got an air pump lying around somewhere, so save even more!

I'll pick one up next time Im over lavender way Must be worth a try while saving!

[Elune]

ifs its only little air pumps, try going cash converters, they sell air pumps at $3 - $5 only.

[arcanehacker]

I have those $6 kind skimmer if you want.. and also a new branded (forgot what brand though, maybe redsea) wooden airstone (is that what you call it??).

remember these skimmers are as good as the wooden airstone.. must keep changing them every 2-3 months. Get good ones though.. there's 2 brands. one is Sanders, the other is redsea??

[Dazza]

long ago i had a 2 by 1 by 1 and i ued those air-stone driven red sea skimmer n managed to keep quite successfully couple of corals with couple of small fishes as well ... but it's matter of time b4 u start thinking of upgrading to a bigger tank ......

[c0ol]

Do water changes twice a week would really help

[arcanehacker]

wah.. your water free ah?

[c0ol]

wah.. your water free ah?

no la..lol..i like to play safe

[hammy]

no harm skimming even with air stone skimmer.

i would say better than nothing

[bluezing]

i have airpump to sell! $5 only!

pm me!!!

[hedgehog72]

thanks all.... I got the skimmer today, dropped it in the tank with the air pump I had around.

Seems to work, lots of bubbles at the top, but no foam flowing into the cup. The cup is just above the water level. So, is my pump no good, or my water too clean?

[Qxnviolet]

It proberbly hasn't break in yet....but might be your water is too clean too....

[juscool]

Show us a pic.