Lurker Finally Joined

Kj2186 · Jul 20, 2019

Recommendations on a skimmer?

Hey guys Brad here!, Hello everyone I have a bio cube 16 was wondering if you guys know of a small protein skimmer that fits in this cube. I was recommended one but I would like to know if their is more options out there? Thanks again!

www.reef2reef.com

Try this thread

ORReefer said:
Skimmer... good question. That's one of the problems. I'm currently without one and looking for a replacement. Where's the best place to post my skimmer questions?

Katrina71 · Jul 20, 2019

Glad you joined! Now show us pics, or we will have to storm your house like Area 51 to see for ourselves!

ORReefer · Jul 20, 2019

Tank is in pretty poor condition right now. I'd be embarrassed to show any pics right now. Lost the skimmer (red sea prizm, pump died and no replacements available) and no money to replace it so tank went down hill. Amazingly, for the last several years, we've managed to get things somewhat settled without the skimmer but there is still some unwanted algae and cyano, thus looking for a new skimmer. Don't have the money for a sump right now (hope to do one in the not too distant future) so looking for good HOB skimmer (prizm was okay but not great... reef octo HOB 90?). Have looked for used skimmers but not much luck.

Some say having some of the more tolerant corals in your tank can help take more nutrients and etc. out of the water thus limiting what's available for algae. So, we started adding some basic corals back in... a small tree coral and some mushroom corals. They were doing great and the algae and cyano seemed to be lightening up even more.

However, then we had a several hour power outage. Inverts and fish seemed to survive that okay with the help of a battery/inverter pack and hydor koralia. Also supplemented with some improvised heat (tethered glass jar with regularly refreshed hot water). Generally things seemed to do okay. However, the cold water was followed by a heat wave and then a bad heater which tried to cook the tank. Some time during all this we lost the tree coral to bacterial infection. Some feather dusters had started trying to choke the tree out and irritated its base which I believe made it vulnerable to the infection (I've never seen feather dusters do that before!). We still have some mushrooms but they are still tiny even after several weeks have gone by.

Like I said this tank has struggled!
Sorry if this is too much for the meet and greet forum!!!

Retro Reefer · Jul 20, 2019

DeepSouth · Jul 20, 2019

Welcome!

I would post skimmer questions in the general equipment forum. If you are looking for a used skimmer keep an eye out in the sellers (hardware) forum.

Peace River · Jul 20, 2019

ORReefer said:
Skimmer... good question. That's one of the problems. I'm currently without one and looking for a replacement. Where's the best place to post my skimmer questions?

You can post your skimmer question here or in the General Equipment, Hardware, Filtration Forum.

Emarley · Jul 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Katrina71 · Jul 20, 2019

ORReefer said:
Tank is in pretty poor condition right now. I'd be embarrassed to show any pics right now. Lost the skimmer (red sea prizm, pump died and no replacements available) and no money to replace it so tank went down hill. Amazingly, for the last several years, we've managed to get things somewhat settled without the skimmer but there is still some unwanted algae and cyano, thus looking for a new skimmer. Don't have the money for a sump right now (hope to do one in the not too distant future) so looking for good HOB skimmer (prizm was okay but not great... reef octo HOB 90?). Have looked for used skimmers but not much luck.

Some say having some of the more tolerant corals in your tank can help take more nutrients and etc. out of the water thus limiting what's available for algae. So, we started adding some basic corals back in... a small tree coral and some mushroom corals. They were doing great and the algae and cyano seemed to be lightening up even more.

However, then we had a several hour power outage. Inverts and fish seemed to survive that okay with the help of a battery/inverter pack and hydor koralia. Also supplemented with some improvised heat (tethered glass jar with regularly refreshed hot water). Generally things seemed to do okay. However, the cold water was followed by a heat wave and then a bad heater which tried to cook the tank. Some time during all this we lost the tree coral to bacterial infection. Some feather dusters had started trying to choke the tree out and irritated its base which I believe made it vulnerable to the infection (I've never seen feather dusters do that before!). We still have some mushrooms but they are still tiny even after several weeks have gone by.

Like I said this tank has struggled!
Sorry if this is too much for the meet and greet forum!!!

Never be embarrassed. Seriously. Wanna see my gha? Aiptasia?