What type of skimmer should I use?

[da_tahoe]

I am new to this hobby and love it so far. I have a 400 liter (105 gallon) aquarium and so far only have about 40 lbs of live rock and the tank has been running for about 4 weeks now.I have an external canister filter and power head running. I've tested the water and my nitrates and nitrites are 0. I'm not sure of what type of skimmer to purchase. I see some people have what they call a sump and some have a hang on Skimmer. What works best? For the hang on type I guess I will have to modify my tank hood because it is completely closed off. I also heard of an internal skimmer but very little on it. Any help and suggestions on starting up would be appreciated. Oh and I have 4 hermit crabs and one rock with an unknown coral on it. The pet store said it was ok to add those but to wait until I get a skimmer to add anything more.

[Sueet]

I am new to this hobby and love it so far. I have a 400 liter (105 gallon) aquarium and so far only have about 40 lbs of live rock and the tank has been running for about 4 weeks now.I have an external canister filter and power head running. I've tested the water and my nitrates and nitrites are 0. I'm not sure of what type of skimmer to purchase. I see some people have what they call a sump and some have a hang on Skimmer. What works best? For the hang on type I guess I will have to modify my tank hood because it is completely closed off. I also heard of an internal skimmer but very little on it. Any help and suggestions on starting up would be appreciated. Oh and I have 4 hermit crabs and one rock with an unknown coral on it. The pet store said it was ok to add those but to wait until I get a skimmer to add anything more.

Get the biggest one you can afford, and a sump is always helpful... It not only provides a place to hide some of your equipment (heaters, skimmers) .... I would not at all recommend a hang-on skimmer for a tank of your size. The type I see most often recommended can be found here: www.myreefcreations.com

For the record, I and probably most others too, would recommend that you get more live rock.

[da_tahoe]

OK so the biggest I can afford. I think the problem I will run into is the size of the sump and the skimmer. on the left side of my cabinet my canister filter takes up the entire area. On the right side its empty but its only a small area (17 inc depp by 25 inches high) Any suggestions on a sump and skimmer? Or am stuck with getting a hang on skimmer? I am in the process of purchasing more live rock? How much is suggested for a tank my size?

Get the biggest one you can afford, and a sump is always helpful... It not only provides a place to hide some of your equipment (heaters, skimmers) .... I would not at all recommend a hang-on skimmer for a tank of your size. The type I see most often recommended can be found here: www.myreefcreations.com

For the record, I and probably most others too, would recommend that you get more live rock.

[da_tahoe]

Oh one more thing....my pet store recommended the Turbofloatr multi hang on for my tank

Get the biggest one you can afford, and a sump is always helpful... It not only provides a place to hide some of your equipment (heaters, skimmers) .... I would not at all recommend a hang-on skimmer for a tank of your size. The type I see most often recommended can be found here: www.myreefcreations.com

For the record, I and probably most others too, would recommend that you get more live rock.

[Ninong]

Hi da_tahoe, welcome to Reefland!

Yes, a Turboflotor Multi would be an acceptable hang-on skimmer for a 400 liter tank. You can read about it on Aqua-Medic's website: http://www.ab-aqualine.de/ There are better, more expensive skimmers available where you live but the Turboflotor Multi is an excellent skimmer in its price range and it is a lot cheaper where you live than it is over here. The same company, Aqua-Medic, also offers complete, compact filter sump systems including skimmer in the event you were to remove your canister filter and switch to something better. Most people who operate skimmers do not also run canister filters.

As far as live rock is concerned, you will probably want a total of about 50 kg of rock in your 100 liter tank. It does NOT have to be all live rock. Since live rock is extremely expensive where you live, you may want to go with about 10 kg of real live rock and 40 kg of artificial rock.

[da_tahoe]

Thanks Ninong, I checked out the site and all the skimmer/filter systems appear to be too large for my cabinet. My cabinet is only 17x14x24 (LxWxH) The problem is that the cabinet is broken into two cabinets at that size with the middle being open. Now I wish I purchased a different cabinet. Do you know of any skimmer setups that would fit this configuration for a 400 liter tank (105 gallon). I will take your advise on the live rock and will purchase some more and then get artificial.

Hi da_tahoe, welcome to Reefland!

Yes, a Turboflotor Multi would be an acceptable hang-on skimmer for a 400 liter tank. You can read about it on Aqua-Medic's website: http://www.ab-aqualine.de/ There are better, more expensive skimmers available where you live but the Turboflotor Multi is an excellent skimmer in its price range and it is a lot cheaper where you live than it is over here. The same company, Aqua-Medic, also offers complete, compact filter sump systems including skimmer in the event you were to remove your canister filter and switch to something better. Most people who operate skimmers do not also run canister filters.

As far as live rock is concerned, you will probably want a total of about 50 kg of rock in your 100 liter tank. It does NOT have to be all live rock. Since live rock is extremely expensive where you live, you may want to go with about 10 kg of real live rock and 40 kg of artificial rock.

[Ninong]

Thanks Ninong, I checked out the site and all the skimmer/filter systems appear to be too large for my cabinet. My cabinet is only 17x14x24 (LxWxH) The problem is that the cabinet is broken into two cabinets at that size with the middle being open. Now I wish I purchased a different cabinet. Do you know of any skimmer setups that would fit this configuration for a 400 liter tank (105 gallon). I will take your advise on the live rock and will purchase some more and then get artificial.

I don't know of anything that would fit into your space (17"L x 14"W x 24"H) unless it was a custom-built setup. You can check out some of the custom jobs on this guy's website but he doesn't ship to Germany: http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html Click on "Custom Showcase."

P.S. -- I was wrong! He does ship worldwide:
Worldwide Shipments: For export shipments we go through Panalpina as they usually cost less than the standard carriers. They deliver to the nearest major airport for you to pick up. In some cases they offer door-to-door delivery at additional cost. You are responsible for import taxes, duty, etc.


You might want to check around to see if there is anyone locally who could build something similar.

Are you a German citizen or U.S. military???

[da_tahoe]

Thanks for the help...I will look around here and see if there is someone that can build me one. I am US military...so shipping shouldnt be so expensive to my military address. How do you know what skimmer is good and which one isnt?

I don't know of anything that would fit into your space (17"L x 14"W x 24"H) unless it was a custom-built setup. You can check out some of the custom jobs on this guy's website but he doesn't ship to Germany: http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html Click on "Custom Showcase."

P.S. -- I was wrong! He does ship worldwide:
Worldwide Shipments: For export shipments we go through Panalpina as they usually cost less than the standard carriers. They deliver to the nearest major airport for you to pick up. In some cases they offer door-to-door delivery at additional cost. You are responsible for import taxes, duty, etc.


You might want to check around to see if there is anyone locally who could build something similar.

Are you a German citizen or U.S. military???

[kenn157]

I just got the Aqua C Urchin Pro. Its blows away my SeaClone(clown- )