truth about hob

[tmkx3]

Okay I am looking to put some additional filteration on my 125g tank. I recently had a mini cycle and I think my tank needs some help. I already have on hob skimmer, so why not an hob filter. I believe that they are easier to maintain, cheaper, no flooding problems, easier to set-up and you don't have to worry about power outages. Them being on the back isn't an issue for me. I'm thinking about an emperor 400/bio wheel and a uv sterilizer. What do you think?

125g,125lbs lr 3inch sandbed, pro prizm skimmer

foxface
2 percula's
3green chromis
coral beauty

[Reefland]

But what will the benefit be versus all of the proven negatives?

[BubbaWPB]

Prizm skimmers aren't the best option for a tank that large.. even the Pro version. I'd suggest going with a higher quality skimmer rather than mess with a HOB filter.

[tmkx3]

I have read they can be a problem if you don't clean them regularly, so I have to take five minutes to change a few cartridges and ocasionly 30 minutes at the most to clean the whole system.The only - I have really heard is the nitrates. If there is something else please let me know.

[tmkx3]

yea this skimmer is a pain. I think that it proably why I had the ammonia spike but I am stuck with it now.

[ANGRY JOHN]

for a tank that large having a hob skimmer is a high demand and the volume of water and the reaction chamber size is way to small. if you are worried about flooding set up a skimmer that drains back into the tank. i dont know what your working with but if you have it built into a wall or somthing you could mount the skimmer higer than the tank and have it drain back into the display.

[Steven Pro]

I would not use a power filter for additional filtration. It would seem this is a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) display or perhaps a soon to be reef. If either is the case, a hang-on power filter is a waste. A hang-on refugium would be much more beneficial.

I also agree that getting a better protein skimmer should be in your plans. An Aqua-C Remora Pro would be ok. A better choice, if you have the money, is one of the Deltec hang-on skimmers.

[tmkx3]

I have a protien skimmer that was given to me. It was originally on a 175g tank w/amiracle wet dry system. I have both. The protien skimmer looks like it is a precision marine product. It proably stands knee high on me. I say maybe 2 feet tall. How would I replace the prizm with this one? It has 2 hoses coming out of it (one at to top and one at the bottom) with shut off valves. How would I get to water to and from the unit. Will I need 2 pumps, a powerhead? How should I clean it?

[BubbaWPB]

Here's the link to the instruction manuals for Precisoin Marine Skimmers.

http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/instructions.html

[Steven Pro]

I wanted to add that while I don't have any firsthand experience with Precision Marine, I have heard only good things about them. It is likely a big step up from the Prizm, if you can get it working.