When does a skimmer become useful in a nano reef?

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo! I want to add SPS corals to my current nano reef setup, which is about 15 gallons with a maximum of two fish. Right now, I use filter socks that collect a lot of detritus, but I find them tedious to maintain. I've read that protein skimmers like the Tunze 9001 Comline skimmer are often considered ineffective in nanos. However, I believe a skimmer might do a similar, if not better job at removing organic waste, along with the benefit of stabilizing pH by removing my need to use an airstone.

Also. Since I'm target feeding my Blastos and Acans 2-3 times weekly and am thinking of dosing amino acids for the SPS, I feel that a skimmer could be a valuable secondary nutrient export method aside from regular water changes. At the end of the day, I really want to reduce the hassle of filter socks.

Given all this, when does a skimmer become truly useful or necessary for a nano reef? What are the real benefits over filter socks, especially in a small mixed tank like this?

 

[ZC aquatics]

I think a skimmer would be a bit overkill but I totally get where your coming from it would help it is ultimately up to you I hope this helps

 

[CatsandClowns]

I think a skimmer would be a bit overkill but I totally get where your coming from it would help it is ultimately up to you I hope this helps

What makes it overkill if you dont mind my asking. I see this sentiment sometimes but I dont really understand; would it take out too many dissolved organics that would otherwise be used by the corals, thats assuming its run continously? However I also often hear it doesnt take out enough to warrant its use.

 

[ZC aquatics]

What makes it overkill if you dont mind my asking. I see this sentiment sometimes but I dont really understand; would it take out too many dissolved organics that would otherwise be used by the corals, thats assuming its run continously? However I also often hear it doesnt take out enough to warrant its use.

I meant a skimmer and filter on a 15 gal is a bit much but I see what you’re saying I think a skimmer would be awesome

 

[MichaelM]

I have not been using a skimmer in My nano for a long time. Tried one occasionally but it didn‘t pull out a whole lot, so I always removed the skimmer again. At the beginning of the year I had water clarity issues and more algae in the tank. Installed the skimmer again and also ran carbon and got clear water. The skimmer is now pulling out a lot gunk. The corals are also looking better and growing quite well.

I would say you should try one and see if it does something. And I wouldn‘t know why it should be detrimental in a nano but helpful in a big tank. For me it was just a matter of looks and cleaning that had me remove the skimmer when it did not pull much.

 

[CatsandClowns]

I meant a skimmer and filter on a 15 gal is a bit much but I see what you’re saying I think a skimmer would be awesome

If it means getting rid of the filter socks, then yes please!

 

[CatsandClowns]

I have not been using a skimmer in My nano for a long time. Tried one occasionally but it didn‘t pull out a whole lot, so I always removed the skimmer again. At the beginning of the year I had water clarity issues and more algae in the tank. Installed the skimmer again and also ran carbon and got clear water. The skimmer is now pulling out a lot gunk. The corals are also looking better and growing quite well.

I would say you should try one and see if it does something. And I wouldn‘t know why it should be detrimental in a nano but helpful in a big tank. For me it was just a matter of looks and cleaning that had me remove the skimmer when it did not pull much.

I hear there's a 'break-in' period where it may run clear or not pull any gunk initially. That may be why you didn't see results immediately. Luckily, my LFS sells the exact model I'm looking for, so I should find out tomorrow. My only point of hesitation is the risk of it lowering my nutrients critically by running it continuously, but considering I'll need to feed more as everything grows out, that doesn't seem too concerning. If anything, I would feed more. Everyone gets food!!!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My first thought is where you will put the skimmer? Small tank has less space for equipment, and the more equipment you add the less attractive it can be.

What are your nutrient levels now? What makes you feel the need for a skimmer?

Filter socks can be removed altogether IMO, I don't use any type of mechanical filtration on my tanks.

My 15 gallon has 6 fish, no filtration at all, I feed 3 times a day, and gets weekly 35% water changes, the corals are thriving and coraline is growing and nutrients remain rather low. I admit its a softie/lps tank, I never tried sps in this tank.

I don't feed my corals either, they get fed by light and whatever passing foods they can catch. So I don't follow your logic that you need to feed corals more as they grow therefore need more filtration.

There is no right or wrong answer, its completely your choice and if you get a skimmer it will definitely benefit your tank.

 

[CatsandClowns]

My first thought is where you will put the skimmer? Small tank has less space for equipment, and the more equipment you add the less attractive it can be.

What are your nutrient levels now? What makes you feel the need for a skimmer?

Filter socks can be removed altogether IMO, I don't use any type of mechanical filtration on my tanks.

My 15 gallon has 6 fish, no filtration at all, I feed 3 times a day, and gets weekly 35% water changes, the corals are thriving and coraline is growing and nutrients remain rather low. I admit its a softie/lps tank, I never tried sps in this tank.

I don't feed my corals either, they get fed by light and whatever passing foods they can catch. So I don't follow your logic that you need to feed corals more as they grow therefore need more filtration.

There is no right or wrong answer, its completely your choice and if you get a skimmer it will definitely benefit your tank.

Heyo thanks for the reply. My reasons for possible having a skimmer are at least mentioned in the original post. And IMO many lps do need to be fed( some way or another) as it will only improve their growth rate, tissue structure, and uptake of nutrients. They are carnivorous after all. What I was trying to get across is the more that they grow and more frags I purchase, the more feeding will be required(in general) and subsequently , I would like an additional method of nutrient export aside from water changes. Mostly it’s just my Acans and Blastos that get fed, and occasionally my RFA but even just visually those two look fat, puffy and happy as a result of regular feedings. For sps I am likely to dose amino acid to support tissue growth and pigmentation. This is aside from dosing phytoplankton regularly. If I’m going to be increasing nutrients going into the tank I’ll also need to be improving my filtration. I don’t want to continue using filter socks as that just sucks and is a pain. If I can get away with cleaning the skimmer cup once weekly and once monthly general, that would improve ease of maintenance.

 

[Kooma]

In my experience, a skimmer is only useful once it can sit in a sump. The nano skimmers can help, but water changes are better spent money than a Tunze 9001 for example. (I have one, its not great).

I have a happy 30 gallon mixed reef with zero mechanical filtration, just cleanup crew. Water changes are easy on such a small system and are a very simple weekly way to manage nutrients. Add more coral and you wont have a nutrient issue, as well as reducing feeding quantity.

 

[X-37B]

A skimmer become effective the day its set up. That said one is not needed on a nano.
My 15g, 9.5g's total.
38 coral 2 fish.
I only feed the fish 3-4 times a day.
Filter floss and carbon are my exports along with 20% 2g's wc on the 1st and 15th.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I think a better question is, "Is the benefit of the skimmer worth the extra labor and cost associated with it." This is really the way you should look at any piece of equipment.

For me, the benefit of a full-sized skimmer on a large tank is absolutely worth the cost of the electricity and maintenance. Weekly cup cleaning and BiAnual deep cleaning aren't that bad and the skimmer sure removes alot of waste as well as oxygenates the water.

On a nano, the skimmers are less effective and often require more maintenance. I find I need to do a deep cleaning of a nano skimmer more often, maybe 4 times a year, because the small parts get clogged and restricted more easily. The skimmers are harder to adjust, and they still never skim as well as a full-sized skimmer. This ultimately tips the balance more in favor of not having a skimmer than having one for most people.

All of this being said. I believe a nano with a skimmer will be better off than one without a skimmer. The skimmer will improve aeration and provide some cleaning, just at a cost that isn't worth it to most people.

An example on a larger system may be using some advanced supplementation method, such as moonshiners. For me, my tank looks beautiful and I am very happy with it. I really don't want to do the extra labor and cost of meticulous testing and supplementing multiple individual elements. I am sure it would improve things, but is it worth all of the extra work and expense? Not for me.