20g shallow with 10g sump update PICS at 3 weeks and skimmer ??

[dorkfish3]

I have had my tank runnign about 3 weeks now and not quite two with liverock.. I plan on putting a tank bred clown, a sixline wrasse, and a yellowstripe clingfish (once I get some Lps for it to branch). I do plan on having a mixed reef with a clam or two. I just put the jbj 290 gph PH in and it puts out a good amount of flow along with the mag 350 for the return.

I havent yet pruchased a skimmer, but thats next on the list. I am not sure whether I want an in sump or hang-on. I am putting it in the 10g sump and have about a 7" by 7" inch corner to put it in or hang it off the side if the sump is tall enough. the only worth while nano skimmers seem to be the remora or tunze nano.. are there any in sump nano skimmer that work as good?

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...geQuality=Full

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...geQuality=Full

[dorkfish3]

oh I was also told I do not really need a skimmer as long as I have good surface flow.. So should I get a skimmer or not?

thanks

[LockeOak]

Skimmers for small tanks are not necessary if you are willing to do weekly water changes. I'm running skimmerless with a 10G mixed coral tank and an ocellaris pair and have been for a few months, I do a 20% water change every single week (easy with a 10G tank ). If you're growing macroalgae in your sump you should be fine with weekly water changes, not having corals that are especially allelopathic (particularly leathers) may also help.

[LockeOak]

Also I should note that I have SPS growing successfully without a skimmer, so it can be done. Nice tank setup by the way, I like the low open square look with pendant light.

[ServantSoldier]

My skimmer removes a lot of funk out of my 30g that I wouldn't want left in my tank; I also do 15% weekly changes on that setup.

[sabbath]

ServantSoldier My skimmer removes a lot of funk out of my 30g that I wouldn't want left in my tank; I also do 15% weekly changes on that setup.

I could not agree more. I don't like to diy much but I did build a skimmer for a Nano cube 24g once. Good for the aeration as well.

[alexb518]

Originally posted by LockeOak
Skimmers for small tanks are not necessary if you are willing to do weekly water changes. I'm running skimmerless with a 10G mixed coral tank and an ocellaris pair and have been for a few months, I do a 20% water change every single week (easy with a 10G tank ).

I could not agree more. BUT, if you're looking long term, a skimmer is much, much cheaper than the added cost and hastle of doing a 20% water change every week. ALSO, doing large water changes like that does stress the tank inhabitants.

[gonzalezcp]

I have a hang on on a 5 gallon and no sump.. if I did it again I would add a sump with skimmer in the sump. Hang ons can be difficult to clean and service..

[aquarius77]

[i] ALSO, doing large water changes like that does stress the tank inhabitants. [/B]

Thats a myth, as long as you match temp and ph and salinity how could it stress the animals?

[dorkfish3]

I think everyone is right by the way and makes sense, but I figure it wouldnt hurt to throw a skimmer in anyways..

yea thanks guys so what skimmer should I use??

[Shagsbeard]

What ever skimmer you get, make sure it fits in your sump.