Buying new protein skimmer, need sizing tips

[Mcdonalds]

Hey, so I have a tank you will likely never heard of. An aquatop 24g cube AIO, it’s got a skimmer that came with it but it’s old and went. So I just want to know some good nano skimmers and how to know if it’ll fit in the chamber or not. Also not looking for hang on ones cause I don’t wanna mess with my Red Sea lid. Thanks

 

[srobertb]

I have had a few AIO’s and ran Tunze skimmers (both the small on a 40g and the larger on a 120g).

They’re actually pretty good at their job but cleaning is an unholy nightmare. That would be my first choice and if it didn’t fit, I’d probably skip a skimmer. I removed my big Tunze from my 120g and absolutely nothing changed despite the nasty crap it pulled.

I don’t use a skimmer on my 10g but if I had to for some reason, I think I’d probably go find a “ghost.” I think IM made them. They weren’t well reviewed.

Honestly I think you’re better off with a bag of chemipure or a tiny refugium but I don’t know your tank so I hate to interject.

 

[Mcdonalds]

I have had a few AIO’s and ran Tunze skimmers (both the small on a 40g and the larger on a 120g).

They’re actually pretty good at their job but cleaning is an unholy nightmare. That would be my first choice and if it didn’t fit, I’d probably skip a skimmer. I removed my big Tunze from my 120g and absolutely nothing changed despite the nasty crap it pulled.

I don’t use a skimmer on my 10g but if I had to for some reason, I think I’d probably go find a “ghost.” I think IM made them. They weren’t well reviewed.

Honestly I think you’re better off with a bag of chemipure or a tiny refugium but I don’t know your tank so I hate to interject.

No I think you’re right, I guess I was so used to the skimmer. I think my chemipure, filter floss, and water changes can get the job done. I honestly don’t want to shell out that much money rn on one as well.

 

[srobertb]

No I think you’re right, I guess I was so used to the skimmer. I think my chemipure, filter floss, and water changes can get the job done. I honestly don’t want to shell out that much money rn on one as well.

I think skimmers work…

I just think you need an unlimited budget and that sizing charts are wildly off and that trying get meaningful functionality on small tanks isn’t possible with internal or HOB versions.