Help me pick a skimmer

[UnoZeus]

I am in setting up a 29 gallon very soon. I have limited experience with saltwater, so I am coming to you guys for some advice.

Although I have done some searching, I am having trouble determining what skimmer to choose. I plan on keeping only 1 or 2 clowns, an anemone, some green star polyps a things of that nature. Nothing serious until I have room and money to upgrade.

The skimmer MUST be a hang on type skimmer.

I need a cheap skimmer. The cheaper the better. I don't want to buy a piece of crap, but I have a really tight budget. I am hoping to spend under 75 dollars. I have heard that there are some "okay" skimmers out there for under that price (around 40) but im not sure which one to pull the trigger on.

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it!

 

[Anonymous]

I am in setting up a 29 gallon very soon. I have limited experience with saltwater, so I am coming to you guys for some advice.

Although I have done some searching, I am having trouble determining what skimmer to choose. I plan on keeping only 1 or 2 clowns, an anemone, some green star polyps a things of that nature. Nothing serious until I have room and money to upgrade.

I need a cheap skimmer. The cheaper the better. I don't want to buy a piece of crap, but I have a really tight budget. I am hoping to spend under 75 dollars. I have heard that there are some "okay" skimmers out there for under that price (around 40) but im not sure which one to pull the trigger on.

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it!

The cheapest good skimmer for a 29, IMO, are these:


http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumP ... a_pro.html

Way above the $40 range. I do not know of anything in that range that is worth blowing $40 on.

 

[Anonymous]

This skimmer is decent as well:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumP ... t1000.html

 

[UnoZeus]

I figured that this would be a popular response. Lets think of it as, if you HAD to pick one for under $75, which one would it be.

I am looking at something like this. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumP ... immer.html

It doesn't HAVE to be that brand or anything. I know there are some better than others.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I've owned them and don't think you can beat an AquaC Remor for that sized tank. IMO it's the best hands down without going to a cost prohibitive (I assume) Deltec.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... SHOSI.html

Search for them on ebay for a better price. The thing with skimmers.... you don't want to skimp on them. Skimp elsewhere, but not on lighting (since you want an anemone) or skimmer.
B

 

[Anonymous]

Personally, I would save the money and go skimmerless until I had enough money for a good skimmer. Just keep up with your water changes. JMHO. That skimmer is garbage and I assume that any $40 skimmer will be in the same ballpark. Try the For Sale forum, maybe you can get a decent used skimmer there.

 

[UnoZeus]

So, you would rather not have a skimmer than have a cheap skimmer?

Seems to me that it would be better to have a cheap skimmer that atleast did something, rather then have no skimming action at all.

Then again, this is why I am asking for the advice. You guys have much more knowledge in the saltwater area than I do.

 

[Anonymous]

Personally, I would save the money and go skimmerless until I had enough money for a good skimmer. Just keep up with your water changes. JMHO. That skimmer is garbage and I assume that any $40 skimmer will be in the same ballpark. Try the For Sale forum, maybe you can get a decent used skimmer there.

Good advice IMHO...

+2

You do not NEED a skimmer, there's plenty of tanks out there that are doing great skimmerless. What you need is a good balance between importing nutrients and exporting nutrients and you can achieve that by doing water changes. One of the worst mistakes an aquarist can do is getting into the upgrade game, it will take the life out of your wallet. Save up some $$$ and get a better one from the begining.

 

[UnoZeus]

I have a Cascade 1500 Canister that I was going to use for my primary filtration. I know alot of people around here are opposed to canisters. I was going to take all the floss out of my filter and use it more or less as a means to move some water around. It is rated at 350 GPH. Would that be enough filtration for my 29?

Should I make this question a separate thread?

 

[SnowManSnow]

without a skimmer your primary means of filtration will be live rock. You'll need a few MaxiJets for circulation IMO.

b

 

[Ben1]

without a skimmer your primary means of filtration will be live rock. You'll need a few MaxiJets for circulation IMO.

Right as far as the biological filtration goes. As far as exporting waste, you will need to accomplish this with water changes (hopefully with RO water and not tap) and carbon. Is it just a standard 29 gal glass tank? If so you can use the canister for carbon. I think Dan has the skimmer thing down, just hold off untill you find a nice used one for sale. If you spend a few days watching the for sale forums around you will find one.