Skimmer for 25-30g frag tank

drolmaeye · Sep 24, 2023

I currently have an AIO. My next (second) tank will likely be a 25-30g frag tank w/ sump. I think the skimmer chamber will be 12" x 7.5". Can you please recommend a good skimmer that is reliable, with straightforward setup, and budget friendly? Even better if it is scalable (I can buy the same skimmer only larger for a 180g tank).

blaxsun · Sep 24, 2023

Possibly one of the nano skimmers, like IceCap or Bubble Magus?

WhatCouldGoWrong71 · Oct 2, 2023

blaxsun said:
Possibly one of the nano skimmers, like IceCap or Bubble Magus?

I have the Ice Cap, not a fan. Frankly, I am not a fan of skimmers in nanos, I think. I had that in a nuvo 20. I think the success I saw in nutrient export had nothing to do with a skimmer and everything too do with 25-30% weekly water changes. I have a 6G tank with 2 clown and 5 coral, it has the most simplistic filter, water change have kept it straight, 50% minimum weekly. I need to set up a temp frag tank tomorrow for about 2 months, aio. I am going to do 50% water changes weekly, I figure, if the dkh doesn't drop more than a point, water changes should catch that too. Everyone's milage will vary, but I wonder at what point do you need equipment for nutrient export vs water changes ?

blaxsun · Oct 3, 2023

WhatCouldGoWrong71 said:
I have the Ice Cap, not a fan. Frankly, I am not a fan of skimmers in nanos, I think. I had that in a nuvo 20. I think the success I saw in nutrient export had nothing to do with a skimmer and everything too do with 25-30% weekly water changes. I have a 6G tank with 2 clown and 5 coral, it has the most simplistic filter, water change have kept it straight, 50% minimum weekly. I need to set up a temp frag tank tomorrow for about 2 months, aio. I am going to do 50% water changes weekly, I figure, if the dkh doesn't drop more than a point, water changes should catch that too. Everyone's milage will vary, but I wonder at what point do you need equipment for nutrient export vs water changes ?

Solely water changes do work for many people (especially when you have a low bio load).