I need help finding a new protein skimmer

[demetri]

I need to get a new protein skimmer for my Fluval flex 32.5 gallon tank. It is an all in one aquarium and the maximum dimensions of the skimmer needs to be 10cm by 8cm.

I also need one preferable rated for 50g or higher as I have a high bioload and it needs to be able to deal with that. My current Tunze 9001 is struggling to pull out all the nutrients and doesn’t really fit either.

I can’t seem to find any and I need help if anyone knows a good one.

 

[Saltyreef]

The tunze comline is a beast. That being said, skimmers wont make up for a lack of husbandry and you arent going to find a better one rated for more than 40g that will fit your AIO.
Is your skimmer making skimmate? Is it thick? Dark? Light and watery?
How long has it been online? Did you break it in properly?

 

[demetri]

The tunze comline is a beast. That being said, skimmers wont make up for a lack of husbandry and you arent going to find a better one rated for more than 40g that will fit your AIO.
Is your skimmer making skimmate? Is it thick? Dark? Light and watery?
How long has it been online? Did you break it in properly?

Yes it is skimming. Pretty wet though. It’s broken in fs but i just find it gives a tough time trying to perfect the skim level. It’s either too wet or doesn’t pull up anything

 

[Saltyreef]

Yes it is skimming. Pretty wet though. It’s broken in fs but i just find it gives a tough time trying to perfect the skim level. It’s either too wet or doesn’t pull up anything

Is this the first time you have used a protein skimmer? How did you break it in?
You really want to run it for a 1-4 weeks with the cup off or the cup drain open so it builds a slight biofilm. It gives the bubbles something to cling to as they rise in the body.
You should not see small bubbles rising into the cup neck, that will net you wet skim. Your cup should be building nasty caked on biofilm after a while.

if you have done all this or just want to buy a new skimmer for the hell of it, look at the bubble magus mini Q. Cheap and it works phenominal.
But FWIW my tunze was just as good, if not better when i had one years ago.

 

[demetri]

Is this the first time you have used a protein skimmer? How did you break it in?
You really want to run it for a 1-4 weeks with the cup off or the cup drain open so it builds a slight biofilm. It gives the bubbles something to cling to as they rise in the body.
You should not see small bubbles rising into the cup neck, that will net you wet skim. Your cup should be building nasty caked on biofilm after a while.

if you have done all this or just want to buy a new skimmer for the hell of it, look at the bubble magus mini Q. Cheap and it works phenominal.
But FWIW my tunze was just as good, if not better when i had one years ago.

Yes dude I’ve been doing this for a while now. I’ve had my first tank for over a year and it’s successful. My new tank is 6 months old and the protein skimmer has been running.

The skimmer will do a good skim for like a few days and then randomly without changing anything it changes.

Either way I needed a new one that Is stronger because I have a heavy bioload

 

[Saltyreef]

Yes dude I’ve been doing this for a while now. I’ve had my first tank for over a year and it’s successful. My new tank is 6 months old and the protein skimmer has been running.

The skimmer will do a good skim for like a few days and then randomly without changing anything it changes.

Either way I needed a new one that Is stronger because I have a heavy bioload

Ok. Good luck dude.

 

[BryanM]

Look at the Innovative Marine NuvoSkim DC

 

[demetri]

Look at the Innovative Marine NuvoSkim DC

Not strong enough

 

[BryanM]

Not strong enough

You've put yourself in quite the bind then, that's about as good as you're going to get with your size contraints.

 

[Saltyreef]

An oversized protein skimmer doesnt make up for the lack of husbandry with nutrient export. If you already have excess nutrients measured in your system, it won't reduce that. But, you've been doing this for over a year and already know.