Nano Skimmers

StevieGM · Mar 30, 2017

I have the fluval 13.5 evo tank and it is a great tank for viewing. So far everything is running well except the PS2 skimmer. It is loud and difficult to use. Is their any recommendations for a replacement skimmer that will fit the chamber or a HOB one.
Any help or suggestions are welcome

dmh41532 · Mar 30, 2017

A tank that small I'm not sure. I tried an variety of hang on skimmer for a 20 gallon...they were all junk in some way. The reef octopus ns 80 worked well but it kept sliding down into the tank, the rest just didn't skim. I eventually added a sump for a better skimmer.

StevieGM · Mar 30, 2017

That's what I was thinking but my better half has said enough for now

nervousmonkey · Mar 30, 2017

You can try the Tunze nano skimmer; i use it and it's great. If you don't mind spending money, Deltec has a fool proof nano skimmer you can check out at Battle Corals website

bobman · Mar 30, 2017

Reef octo BH-50 was a decent skimmer. Its easy to use and did a pretty decent job for a small skimmer

mailman1 · Mar 30, 2017

Doesn't that tank have a full hood with LED lights built into it? If you plan on keeping the hood you may have to modify it to fit another skimmer in the tank.

scottmckinney67 · Mar 30, 2017

I wouldn't bother with a skimmer on a tank that size. FYI, I have a Tunze 9001 and RO BH-50. I'll sell you either one....

mlivvy · Mar 30, 2017

I tried every nano skimmer out there. They are all terrible. The only one that actually works a bit is the tunze 9004.

nervousmonkey · Mar 30, 2017

+1 to mlivvy

mlivvy · Mar 31, 2017

Here's my opinion on the nano skimmers i've used.

Aquatic Life 115- Skims wet when it feels like skimming. Will randomly overflow or just not skim at all.
Hydor Skim Slim- Probably the best skimming of all of these but it's LOUD!
Tunze 9001- Needs a very consistent water level. Behaves a bit like the aquatic life 115. Will overflow for no reason.
Tunze 9004- Skims pretty good. Has a surface skimmer which is pretty nice. Also needs a consistent water level but less picky than the 9001.

I didn't try any of the Innovated Marine Skimmers but the reviews online are similar to all the other nano skimmers. I agree with others, I would just do water changes on a tank that size.

xXMr.SyMbiOtEXx · Mar 31, 2017

You could try the MAME skimmer

StevieGM · Mar 31, 2017

All your advice and opinions are welcome/ My question is will weekly water changes take care the tank without a skimmer?

scottmckinney67 · Mar 31, 2017

Trust me, ditch the skimmer idea. Run good carbon, gfo if needed and do water changes. You'll do fine. I ran chemi pure blue in a fluval evo5 and it worked very well.