Need Advice on a Proper HOB Protein Skimmer

[Nevada Wiseguy]

I have a 32g Biocube that I took the top off of. I am in desperate need of a HOB protein skimmer. What would you suggest? Someone suggested a CPR skimmer. I am looking for other options as well so I can prepate. My biggest issue right now is nitrates and I started to dose NoPox yesterday before I realized it said you need a skimmer for "safe" usage.

 

[Nevada Wiseguy]

Not sure how I typed prepate or even what that word means.. I meant to say compare lol.

 

[Jekyl]

I have a 32g Biocube that I took the top off of. I am in desperate need of a HOB protein skimmer. What would you suggest? Someone suggested a CPR skimmer. I am looking for other options as well so I can prepate. My biggest issue right now is nitrates and I started to dose NoPox yesterday before I realized it said you need a skimmer for "safe" usage.

Water changes are your best route. Skimmer will definitely help manage in the future but won't reduce them.

 

[Nevada Wiseguy]

I have been doing weekly water changes but I am still looking at high nitrates. I am down to 47ppm from 58ppm after the last change and I change the filter pads every 2-3 days. I go some seachem denitrate media, but that didn't even remotely help that I noticed. The NoPox is a last ditch effort before I do a 50% water change. I heard it works really well. I did plan on getting a skimmer eventually, this is just moving up the timeline.

 

[Jekyl]

I have been doing weekly water changes but I am still looking at high nitrates. I am down to 47ppm from 58ppm after the last change and I change the filter pads every 2-3 days. I go some seachem denitrate media, but that didn't even remotely help that I noticed. The NoPox is a last ditch effort before I do a 50% water change. I heard it works really well. I did plan on getting a skimmer eventually, this is just moving up the timeline.

I use NoPox and it does work well. However it will take a month of dosing to start seeing the effects. A series of 30% water changes, twice a week will get you in order. Once you have them in the range you want, then the NoPox and skimmer become a big help.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Hi, Hey how clean is your tank? Have you vacuumed your sandbed or turkey basted your rockscape or both, a lot of crap can take up residence in both places thus affecting your nitrate numbers. Also do you have a decent test kit? (API is not one the answers) lol. Fyi I maintain many, many tanks. Dirty tanks are bad news.

 

[Nevada Wiseguy]

Once a week I vaccuum and use a turkey baster when I do the water change. I will admit I have skipped a week before and let it do 2 weeks. At that time I add Seachem Clarity to clean it up when I am done. I change the filter pad the next day to be safe when I do this.

I was using API test kits when I realized how much they suck. I just got the Hanna High Range Nitrate Checker which is what prompted all of this. The tank seems healthy otherwise. I have algae film on the glass as a result of the nitrates (which I clean up when I do the change), but the fish and corals seem to be doing great. I recently reduced my bioload by two fish. Unfortunately, my green bubble tip anemone recently passed which reduced it further.

I also upgraded my lighting to the Kessil A360x. Could I have it on too long? I have it on for about 11 hours a day. Granted, I don't have it programmed yet for sunrise, sunset, etc. Same setting all day.

I love the advice on the nitrates and continue to welcome it, but I would love to know what skimmer to get for my tank. I want one either way, but the usage of NoPox the past two days without one is filling me with anxiety.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Very cool on the Hanna checker and the Kessil light! So hey is are the remnants of your anemone causing your high nitrates?

 

[Nevada Wiseguy]

Very cool on the Hanna checker and the Kessil light! So hey is are the remnants of your anemone causing your high nitrates?

I caught the anemone within a day or so of it passing. Plus, per the API tests, the nitrates were previously high (was reading 40ppm). The anemone may have boosted it, but I did the Hanna test before it went to that big coral garden in the sky... errr sea.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

The AquaMaxx hob is very good and it’s also priced accordingly. A bit pricey. but good. I don’t like dosing NOPOX at all. It’s tedious and messes with the bacteria. also people seem to be forgetting your always supposed to run a good skimmer if carbon dosing.

 

[Nevada Wiseguy]

The AquaMaxx hob is very good and it’s also priced accordingly. A bit pricey. but good. I don’t like dosing NOPOX at all. It’s tedious and messes with the bacteria. also people seem to be forgetting your always supposed to run a good skimmer if carbon dosing.

That's my concern. I've dosed 1.5ml yesterday and today. The included instructions recommend a protein skimmer for effectiveness, but when I went to their website today it said the skimmer was necessary for SAFE use. I may stop dosing until I get a skimmer as a result. I don't mind the price tag, I look at it as insurance. I saw a Octopus 100 skimmer that looked good as well. Most of the skimmer I have found, such as the Ice Cap ones, are not HOB but sump instead.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

That's my concern. I've dosed 1.5ml yesterday and today. The included instructions recommend a protein skimmer for effectiveness, but when I went to their website today it said the skimmer was necessary for SAFE use. I may stop dosing until I get a skimmer as a result. I don't mind the price tag, I look at it as insurance. I saw a Octopus 100 skimmer that looked good as well. Most of the skimmer I have found, such as the Ice Cap ones, are not HOB but sump instead.

I service a lot of aquariums and small “out of sump) skimmers just don’t produce! The Aquamax was a recommendation to consider. I’m guessing taller/larger body size of skimmers assists in effective skimming. I’ve got a Bubble Magus Curve 7 in my sump, spectacular! That to say, these smaller hob units should have good track record. Good luck.