skimmer or refugium

[sheepersheep]

I have a reef casa Isla 12 gallon and I've had a skimmer running for like 8-10 months (not sure exactly how long) but its been in there a while, for as long as I've had it it hasn't ever really done anything. the cup just fills to the brim and algae was growing inside the skimmer cup. as much as I've tried messing around with it it just hasn't ever skimmed anything, no foam, nothing. so I'm wondering if it be best to just remove the skimmer and replace it with something like a refugium? any thoughts?

 

[DanyL]

I can’t really tell you which one is better, I’ve only ever ran an algae scrubber with a skimmer.

Personally I think a skimmer has more benefits than a refuge, but I guess it also depends on its size and how efficiently it runs.

Before you make the move - I strongly suggest to make sure the skimmer was actually setup properly, because even a small and weak skimmer should produce something, and it’s very odd that in 8 months it didn’t.

 

[sheepersheep]

I can’t really tell you which one is better, I’ve only ever ran an algae scrubber with a skimmer.

Personally I think a skimmer has more benefits than a refuge, but I guess it also depends on its size and how efficiently it runs.

Before you make the move - I strongly suggest to make sure the skimmer was actually setup properly, because even a small and weak skimmer should produce something, and it’s very odd that in 8 months it didn’t.

the skimmer i have is a fluval sea mini skimmer, and like i said i've messed around with it so much, and every time it just fills the cup with water. to be fair there were small little particles floating around in the water, but it was nothing like my other tanks skimmer, which needs to be dumped out every week.

 

[kboogie]

I’m confused by the belief you do one or the other. You should have both. While there is an overlap of function there are functions one does that the other doesn’t.

What I hear you describing with your protein skimmer is the need to to tune it. Your water level in your skimmer should provide enough room for a nice foam head to develop.

I’m not familiar with your specific skimmer so I can give you exact numbers but guessing based on size you should have at least and inch and maybe two inches between your water level in the skimmer and the overflow into the collection cup.

 

[sheepersheep]

I’m confused by the belief you do one or the other. You should have both. While there is an overlap of function there are functions one does that the other doesn’t.

What I hear you describing with your protein skimmer is the need to to tune it. Your water level in your skimmer should provide enough room for a nice foam head to develop.

I’m not familiar with your specific skimmer so I can give you exact numbers but guessing based on size you should have at least and inch and maybe two inches between your water level in the skimmer and the overflow into the collection cup.

as much as I'd like to do both, I just simply don't have the space. and since the skimmer is doing nothing, as much as I attempt to adjust it, I was asking if it would be better to just scrap the seemingly useless skimmer and get a refugium to better utilize the space.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

Skimmer over fuge IMO. It’s less error prone, more consistent, doesn’t mess with water chemistry beyond nitrate / phosphate and helps aerate the water.

If the cup is filling with water you likely need to reduce the water level or slow down the pump, if possible.

 

[DanyL]

as much as I'd like to do both, I just simply don't have the space. and since the skimmer is doing nothing, as much as I attempt to adjust it, I was asking if it would be better to just scrap the seemingly useless skimmer and get a refugium to better utilize the space.

Even with the skimmer not working properly, it still functions as an oxidizer, providing oxygen to your corals and fish.
This especially matters when you run an AIO, where you don’t have a drain where the water can pick up oxygen naturally.

I will reiterate what I said earlier - I strongly believe the skimmer is either wasn’t setup properly or it may have a faulty pump, blocked airline or whatever.

I’m not familiar with this model, but it’s usually the same problems and solutions across all skimmers.

 

[sheepersheep]

Even with the skimmer not working properly, it still functions as an oxidizer, providing oxygen to your corals and fish.
This especially matters when you run an AIO, where you don’t have a drain where the water can pick up oxygen naturally.

I will reiterate what I said earlier - I strongly believe the skimmer is either wasn’t setup properly or it may have a faulty pump, blocked airline or whatever.

I’m not familiar with this model, but it’s usually the same problems and solutions across all skimmers.

My pump output is a two way output and one is pointed up at the surface, so I'm sure everything is getting enough aeration. that and in one of the back compartments of the tank it drops off, so that adds oxygen too. I think what I'll do is let it run for a while without the skimmer to see if anything changes, if I notice anything I will add the skimmer back right away.

 

[DatReefGuy]

I would also stick with the skimmer. Pulls out more gunk. Also, is your skimmer raised up high enough?

 

[DanyL]

My pump output is a two way output and one is pointed up at the surface, so I'm sure everything is getting enough aeration. that and in one of the back compartments of the tank it drops off, so that adds oxygen too. I think what I'll do is let it run for a while without the skimmer to see if anything changes, if I notice anything I will add the skimmer back right away.

It’s not even nearly compares to the amount a skimmer is able to inject into the water.

I’m not trying to discourage or encourage your to go either way, but I do have a feeling the outcome you were looking to get here is a validation to what you have already decided.

My suggestion is to simply re-verify your current setup, it doesn’t cost you anything to go through your setup once more and see if you’re able to find something you mossed last time.

 

[kboogie]

as much as I'd like to do both, I just simply don't have the space. and since the skimmer is doing nothing, as much as I attempt to adjust it, I was asking if it would be better to just scrap the seemingly useless skimmer and get a refugium to better utilize the space.

If you are space limited you would benefit greatly from tuning your protein skimmer. I’m going to overly simplify my rationale. The protein skimmer will remove the animal waste from the water, both dissolved and suspended. The refugium requires the waste to be broken down by bacteria before it starts to do its job.

 

[sheepersheep]

It’s not even nearly compares to the amount a skimmer is able to inject into the water.

I’m not trying to discourage or encourage your to go either way, but I do have a feeling the outcome you were looking to get here is a validation to what you have already decided.

My suggestion is to simply re-verify your current setup, it doesn’t cost you anything to go through your setup once more and see if you’re able to find something you mossed last time.

I wasn't really decided on anything, I wanted to see what the community here would say. everyone on the thread says to stick with the skimmer so i guess i will continue to mess around with it

 

[VintageReefer]

Nano tank skimmers are typically all junk and don’t perform well.

I would argue for a 12g tank you don’t need a skimmer or a fuge, just water changes.

If you wanted something small to help with nutrient control I would suggest a hog or drop algae turf scrubber from Santa Monica. These perform the same nutrient control as a fuge 3-4x the size and will add aeration, similar to the skimmer you’d be replacing

 

[PharmrJohn]

Nano tank skimmers are typically all junk and don’t perform well.

I would argue for a 12g tank you don’t need a skimmer or a fuge, just water changes.

If you wanted something small to help with nutrient control I would suggest a hog or drop algae turf scrubber from Santa Monica. These perform the same nutrient control as a fuge 3-4x the size and will add aeration, similar to the skimmer you’d be replacing

Pretty much says it all.

 

[Miami Reef]

Nano tank skimmers are typically all junk and don’t perform well.

I would argue for a 12g tank you don’t need a skimmer or a fuge, just water changes.

I agree.