Protein Skimmer for 10 gallon?

cichlidfort · 10-20-2005, 08:57 PM

Hi, I am new to this forum and to the saltwater world (have experience in cichlids) and have a question or two. Do I need a protein skimmer for a 10 gallon? I have never seen an appropiate size protein skimmer for a 10 gallon and was wondering if I should have one and if I do, what kind and size. How much would this cost to get an acceptable one for a 10 gallon?

I am going to get liverock, and a powerhead/jet and already have a penguin Bio-Wheel 100 so I was just wondering if I need the extra filtration. Thanks a lot.

***Reefland*** · 10-20-2005, 09:08 PM

I wouldn't set up any aquarium without a skimmer myself. For a 10 gallon you could use a small Red Sea Prism or CPR Bak-Pak.

Steven Pro · 10-20-2005, 09:54 PM

I agree. A protein skimmer is especially useful for beginners. While a small tank such as this can be run without one, having one give some more wiggle room.

I also agree that the Red Sea Prizm is a fine choice for this size tank. The manufacturer rates them good to up to 100 gallons or something like that, but I wouldn't use it on anyhting larger than 20-30. I would bet you can find one very inexpensively listed on eBay or elsewhere.

CSeaSee · 10-21-2005, 03:40 PM

I was wondering the exact same thing for a 10- gallon mantis shrimp tank. I guess I'll bust out my old Prism! Thanks a lot!

cichlidfort · 10-21-2005, 11:35 PM

how much do thos Prisms cost?

Steven Pro · 10-22-2005, 07:37 AM

Champion has it on clearance sale for under $60.
http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=636&page=1

cichlidfort · 10-22-2005, 08:05 PM

Thanks a whole lot Steven Pro. I just ordered the Red Sea Protein Skimmer Deluxe on the internet for about $59. I like this forum already. IT saved me lots of money, research and time. Simple as that.

**Poseidon** · 10-22-2005, 10:10 PM

Just a word of caution, smaller tanks are MORE WORK then larger ones in the salt water world... Small volume=fast change, Large Volume=SLOW change. Meaning it takes a LOT more to foul a large tank compared to a small one like a 10...

CSeaSee · 10-22-2005, 11:20 PM

Yeah, I'm certainly looking forward to my small tank and its challenges. I hope that with just a mantis shrimp, my bioload will be real low, and my big challenge will be dealing wil evaporation. Fortunately, the shrimp are hardy and can tolerate high salinity. But I'm still thinking about issues that may crop up.

cichlidfort · 10-23-2005, 11:56 AM

How often will I need to do water changes with a 10 gallon saltwater aquarium?

Also if i have a penguin bio-wheel 100, liverock and a Red Sea Protein Skimmer Deluxe, do I need a powerhead/jet?

CSeaSee · 10-23-2005, 12:26 PM

Yeah, I'd get a small one. Those other pieces of equipment won't really provide a lot of circulation.

10-20-2005, 08:57 PM	#1
cichlidfort Citizen Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 144	Protein Skimmer for 10 gallon? Hi, I am new to this forum and to the saltwater world (have experience in cichlids) and have a question or two. Do I need a protein skimmer for a 10 gallon? I have never seen an appropiate size protein skimmer for a 10 gallon and was wondering if I should have one and if I do, what kind and size. How much would this cost to get an acceptable one for a 10 gallon? I am going to get liverock, and a powerhead/jet and already have a penguin Bio-Wheel 100 so I was just wondering if I need the extra filtration. Thanks a lot. __________________ "A mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open."

10-20-2005, 09:08 PM	#2
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 12,998	I wouldn't set up any aquarium without a skimmer myself. For a 10 gallon you could use a small Red Sea Prism or CPR Bak-Pak. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

10-21-2005, 03:40 PM	#4
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	I was wondering the exact same thing for a 10- gallon mantis shrimp tank. I guess I'll bust out my old Prism! Thanks a lot! __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

10-21-2005, 11:35 PM	#5
cichlidfort Citizen Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 144	how much do thos Prisms cost? __________________ "A mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open."

10-22-2005, 08:05 PM	#7
cichlidfort Citizen Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 144	Thanks a whole lot Steven Pro. I just ordered the Red Sea Protein Skimmer Deluxe on the internet for about $59. I like this forum already. IT saved me lots of money, research and time. Simple as that. __________________ "A mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open."

10-20-2005, 09:54 PM	#3
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	I agree. A protein skimmer is especially useful for beginners. While a small tank such as this can be run without one, having one give some more wiggle room. I also agree that the Red Sea Prizm is a fine choice for this size tank. The manufacturer rates them good to up to 100 gallons or something like that, but I wouldn't use it on anyhting larger than 20-30. I would bet you can find one very inexpensively listed on eBay or elsewhere.

10-22-2005, 07:37 AM	#6
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	Champion has it on clearance sale for under $60. http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=636&page=1

10-22-2005, 10:10 PM	#8
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,159	Just a word of caution, smaller tanks are MORE WORK then larger ones in the salt water world... Small volume=fast change, Large Volume=SLOW change. Meaning it takes a LOT more to foul a large tank compared to a small one like a 10... __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

10-22-2005, 11:20 PM	#9
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	Yeah, I'm certainly looking forward to my small tank and its challenges. I hope that with just a mantis shrimp, my bioload will be real low, and my big challenge will be dealing wil evaporation. Fortunately, the shrimp are hardy and can tolerate high salinity. But I'm still thinking about issues that may crop up. __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

10-23-2005, 11:56 AM	#10
cichlidfort Citizen Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 144	How often will I need to do water changes with a 10 gallon saltwater aquarium? Also if i have a penguin bio-wheel 100, liverock and a Red Sea Protein Skimmer Deluxe, do I need a powerhead/jet? __________________ "A mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open." Last edited by cichlidfort; 10-23-2005 at 12:00 PM.

10-23-2005, 12:26 PM	#11
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	Yeah, I'd get a small one. Those other pieces of equipment won't really provide a lot of circulation. __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

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