Skimmer recommendations - 15 gallon tank

[Lady Godiva]

What would you recommendations for a skimmer for a 15 gallon tank?

I am planning on a 3-4inch sand bed, 10-15 pounds of live rock. Bioload will be light 1 maybe two fish max and some LPS.

Thanks.

Karen

 

[Anonymous]

For such a small tank, I would just go with water changes.

 

[flameangel1]

I agree with SKBok on this also.

 

[4angel]

Water changes are always the best bet. However skimming and filtering cant hurt. I would suggest a hang on combo like a Skilter.
_________________
weed joints

 

[Ben1]

I also agree with just water changes, a more important factor in such a small tank would be temp control. Such small tanks can overheat and cool down very quickly.

Good luck

 

[Mike02]

CPR backpak 2R would be a good choice along with water changes of 20-25% every 3 weeks.

 

[Lady Godiva]

Thanks for the replies.

This tank will be going in my office at work. The environment there is electronically controlled, so the tempature issue mentioned isn't too much of a concern, but it's an excellent point of consideration.

I assumed water changes as a given, but wanted to add extra filtration with the use of a skimmer.

I will check out the Skilter and the CRP. Anyone have any feedback on the Red Sea Prism?

Karen

 

[Anonymous]

I would skip the Skilter (loud and not very good)

How about a small Air Driven CC one such as

http://www.flash.net/~rarefish/first_ai ... series.htm

 

[aquarist=broke]

Anyone have any feedback on the Red Sea Prism?

I have a Red Sea Prizm skimmer. It was on a 70 gallon tank that I had. I boasts it can handle that, and it did, but only half-assed. It could probably do your tank wonders, but on a larger tank, it just doesn't seem to process enough water per hour. I had to set it low or it would just give me almost only saltwater and many many bubbles. I'd say that on your small tank it would be good, if you really wanted to spend the $100.00.

Another couple of things:
1. Can't really clean some of the parts.

2. be careful with it, mine just needed one good bump and it cracked!!!!!

 

[Sea Serpent]

Hi Karen - We met at the BRS meeting at Pet Club -
I remember that we talkad about wanting to set up 15 gallon tanks at work. I DID do mine a few months ago - at work. This is my set up -
15 gallon tank
3 Inch southdown Sandbed
15 lbs of rock out of my 72 gal tank
remora skimmer - I'll explain why . . .
aqua clear filter / micro chiller on a temp controller
JBJ lights - 1 55W PC, 1 55W actinic (with fan)
50 watt titanium heater
numerous polyps, shrooms, sponge, trumpet, purple plume gorg.
1 diadema pseudochromis. and 1 pistol shrimp/shrimp gobie pair.
I schlepp RO/DI in from home - for evap and 20% water changes every 3 weeks.

SO, to answer your question - I put the remora on the 15 gallon - I know it is overkill - but this tank is in a very high profile place. These people know nothing about sw tanks - just that they are pretty. I wanted to make sure that it WAS always pretty. Even with the small bioload I have, I feed heavily for the office to watch. Everyone loves to watch the goby/shrimp pair and the goby brings food to the shrimp . . . very cool.
Now, I have no control over the heat/cool during the weekends - and the DO turn it off. hence the chiller. It has saved my tank - 15 gallons responds very quickly to external temp changes. I have a thermometer that holds the high and low of the air and water temps. The air has reached 92 degrees in here, but with the chiller, the water has maintained the 82.4 degrees I have set. The low has been 67 degrees, and the heater has maintained the 82.4 degrees. All in all, the tank works and with minimal worry. Schlepping the water is a pain - I do the heavy work on the weekends so nobody will see the work. I have already sunk about 800 dollars into this tank, but I really love having it at work.
Let me know if I can help with any other questions.
Paula

 

[Marcosreef]

I will check out the Skilter and the CRP.

Karen,

I have a CPR Bak-Pack 2R that I used on my 12 gallon sitting in my closet. Email me if you're interested, I will let it go cheap. I have the surface skimmer too.

Regards, Marco

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

I personally would recommend a Euro-reef CS12-6. It would do the job just fine. 8)

 

[Lady Godiva]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I am leaning towards a back pac. That unit seems to fit the need and the budget

I DID do mine a few months ago - at work.

Hey Paula, good to hear from you. Way to go with the work-tank! I am totally envious. It sounds awesome. Got any pictures?

I was hoping to be able to get into this nano fairly inexpensively - silly me :roll: Thanks for the info.

Email me if you're interested

I'm interested. I'll drop you a line.

Thanks again everyone

:wink:

 

[aquarist=broke]

These people know nothing about sw tanks - just that they are pretty.

8O Who???? me????

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

I put the remora on the 15 gallon - I know it is overkill

I sure wouldnt call that overkill.