Surface Skimmer

[nowhere]

Hi hi

Just wondering if this sort of setup would be good for marine fish

Instead of overflow box leadign to a sump tank,

i have a surface skimmer leading to an external filter. Can i avoid using the sump tank this way?

[Solo77]

IMHO, it is the same. The setup will ensure surface skimmer(with good flow). Given a chance, it is good to have sump. For canister filter, you have to be hardworking to do frequent maintenance. Hope this help.

[tunicate]

Hi nowhere,

Yeah, if you're just keeping FOWLR, I guess "surface skimmer leading to an external filter" may work. But you'll probably also want to add a hang-on protein skimmer to sustain water quality.

[nowhere]

Hi nowhere,

Yeah, if you're just keeping FOWLR, I guess "surface skimmer leading to an external filter" may work. But you'll probably also want to add a hang-on protein skimmer to sustain water quality.

Hi hi

Thanks for the advise. having a bare 2ft tank and was thinking what to do with it. Yeah, was thinking of a sump, currently waiting for a good bargin before getting one. Was doing housekeeping when i came across the surface skimmer.

Ya i will combine a surface skimmer with a protein skimmer (Internal) the externals one are way too x for my budget. (Also waiting for a good bargain hahaha)

[tunicate]

(1) For a 2 footer, it will limit the fish choices you can keep to those that grow no bigger than about 4 inches. (Below is a good site to check out.)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15&pcatid=15

(2) Also, your aquarium space would be at a premium for a 2 footer. Hence, I suggested a hang-on type instead of an internal type.

(3) Without a chiller, our Singapore climate would be too warm to keep corals in the aquarium. If you do intent to have a chiller hooked up, be prepared for one more pump in your tank.

From the above 3 points together with lighting, you can probably visualize how your 2 footer would look like. You'll also be able to estimate how much more you need to spend for this setup.

As you browse thru' this forum, you probably notice many reefers include a sump in their setup. It provides space & flexibility to house the equipment needed to keep the LS they want without the clutter in the main display tank.

One more advantage that is seldom mentioned is that a sump, being low at about knee height makes it so much easier during water changes. A 10% water change for a 2 footer would approximate a full pail of water. It's no easy task hovering over the edge of your tank (say about 4-5 ft height) with that full pail of water. I know 'cause I've gotten soaked from face down from the splashes, not to mentioned the back ache after every water change.

Giving more thoughts about your periodic aquarium maintenance, & how easier, safer you plan to do it will definitely go a long way in making this hobby much more enjoyable.

[johnmariados]

Hi bro nowhere, don't mean to hijack your thread, but is this the type of surface skimmer you talking about? If used with a canister filter, does it suck in air/water mixture and eventually cause the canister to stop pumping? Need to prime canister often? Anybody with experience can advise? Thanx.

[bugattilambo]

I have used this before

it wouldn't suck in air with water however the negative part about this is the top

notice the clear plastic which is the surface skimmer?

the problem is that the plastic will sometimes sink down and thus not taking water in from the surface

[johnmariados]

OIC, thanx for the tip bro. I guess I can live with that as opposed to having a canister with air in it and running dry. Maybe a small piece of styrofoam under that plastic piece would keep it from sinking, you think? Anyone else has any other input?

[tunicate]

I'm assuming that your tank's water level fluctuates between evaporation & water top-ups.

So the top part of the skimmer with teeth needs to be floating to accommodate this changes in water level. By fixing it in place with a Styrofoam, you will not get any skimming done when water level falls below the teeth. That defeats the whole purpose of this device.

Below is a link on surface skimmer.

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-185157.html

[johnmariados]

Thanx bro tunicate, for the well detailed diagram, a picture speaks a thousand words... Yes bro, my water level does fluctuate, I top up manually about 1.5L every other day and in my 2.5ft, it translates to about a 2-3mm drop in water level.

Ok, your point about the styrofoam noted but you know how a sheet of styrofoam is made up of many tiny balls, I was thinking of just one or two balls at exactly where your (Float)arrow is pointing. Just enough to get the float to not sink, but not so much that it would float completely out of the water line. I have only seen this device in its packaging in the LFS, haven't scrutinised it, but it appears that the rim where your arrow is pointing should trap some air to keep it afloat, so I'm not sure why bro bugattilambo said it sometimes sinks down..well practice always different from theory..Anyway might give it a try soon, if anyone has a piece to sell, staying near Sembawang, do let me know, otherwise it's ok, it's only about $10 in LFS, thanx.

[iskay]

Eheim Surface Skimmer. German engineering. Costs more but surely trusted.

[tunicate]

If the transparent piece with teeth is designed to float by trapping air, then it may not be so reliable for aquarium with vigorous water surface movement(caused by wave maker?). The bubbles may eventually be pushed out under the transparent piece causing it to sink. Instead, it should be of some 'floatable' material for better reliability.

I have a SUN HOB filter which comes with surface skimmer is designed this way.

[johnmariados]

Eheim Surface Skimmer. German engineering. Costs more but surely trusted.

Ya I saw this, about $16, still alright, but online opinions about it are more - than +. Also I feel it is a little more bulky than the other 1 (tank space at a premium) and I haven't seen it in black, sticks out against my black background. Having said that, I think it was designed with the planted aquarium in mind, hence the color.

If the transparent piece with teeth is designed to float by trapping air, then it may not be so reliable for aquarium with vigorous water surface movement(caused by wave maker?). The bubbles may eventually be pushed out under the transparent piece causing it to sink. Instead, it should be of some 'floatable' material for better reliability.

I have a SUN HOB filter which comes with surface skimmer is designed this way.

My surface is agitated quite a bit but not vigorously, Hmmm...didn't think of that.