skimmer help

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dalbright82

New member
So i've been trying to get the old visijet skimmer that came with my tank to function...and it seems there really is just no hope for it. Does anybody have an suggestions for HOB skimmers that aren't going to break the bank and still get the job done? 55g tank with no sump/refugium. Thanks!
 
in a brief search it looks like reef octopus has a lot of hob models. Are the "cheaper" ones still decent? biggest fear is overflow...
 
You couldn't use an oversized canister filter to offset a skimmer in a 55g for while? I don't know a ton about them, but i'm just leary of too much weight hanging on the tank since it's an older tank and i'm on the 2nd level of a complex... I haven't done the research to know what is involved in setting up a system for a sump/in sump skimmer. Just don't want to flood the neighbors. so much to learn!
 
They're designed for only so much water to go in and out,nothing to worry about.The canister will quickly get depleted,so don't wait too long.Your skimmer won't be more than $150,worry when you have to spend $1500 on a skimmer.
 
BADGUS said:
They're designed for only so much water to go in and out,nothing to worry about.The canister will quickly get depleted,so don't wait too long.Your skimmer won't be more than $150,worry when you have to spend $1500 on a skimmer.
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The best hang on back doesn't work as well as a mediocre in sump skimmer. I would seriously consider getting the tank drilled or getting a new one. I would take that 150 and put it toward a new setup. I went from 46 Hob setup to 125 reef ready and it is so much easier.
 
You don't have to run a skimmer with any tank. But you would have to be dedicated to weekley PWCs; 10 to 20% I would think. That would help remove dissolved waste products.
 
trackfast said:
You don't have to run a skimmer with any tank. But you would have to be dedicated to weekley PWCs; 10 to 20% I would think. That would help remove dissolved waste products.
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Having a HOB skimmer is barely better than having no skimmer at all. I think if you are not going to use a sump, I would take trackfast's advice and keep up with water changes. You still need something to oxygenate your water.
 
Kevin Says said:
Having a HOB skimmer is barely better than having no skimmer at all.
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That couldn't be more false. If you buy a good quality HOB skimmer it will perform just as well as a similarly sized internal skimmer.

Look into the Bubble Magus NAC5E, it has been getting some very good reviews. It's rated a little higher than what you will need but Bubble Magus makes a great product, it's the only skimmer I'll buy anymore (until I do something stupid one day and buy a Bubble King). I loved my NAC6A and love my NAC8 Cone even more!

http://socaltropicalfishoutlet.com/catalog/bubble-magus-nac5e-p-383.html
 
SkullV said:
That couldn't be more false. If you buy a good quality HOB skimmer it will perform just as well as a similarly sized internal skimmer.

http://socaltropicalfishoutlet.com/catalog/bubble-magus-nac5e-p-383.html
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Have you used a HOB skimmer? Due to fluctuating water level and design constraints, HOB skimmers do not perform well. It is good for oxygenating water, but not so good for removing organics. If HOB skimmers were just as good, more people will be using them. HOB skimmers are waste of money and money is better spent getting a better setup. As far as skimmers go, unless they are really badly designed, they all perform about the same. See Ken Feldman's article here - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature
 
Yes I have used one. Yes it performed well. The sump less tank has an ato and tops. There was very little evap. What you are saying has nothing to do with slimmer performance. It has to do with extrinsic conditions effecting the proper skimmer operating conditions.
 
SkullV said:
Yes I have used one. Yes it performed well. The sump less tank has an ato and tops. There was very little evap. What you are saying has nothing to do with slimmer performance. It has to do with extrinsic conditions effecting the proper skimmer operating conditions.
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Those extrinsic conditions have everything to do with HOB skimmers and only HOB skimmers. Even with an ATO and tops, the water level cannot be kept steady for HOB skimmers to be effective. And even with a top, evap is not trivial especially if you are using a skimmer.
 
Kevin Says said:
Those extrinsic conditions have everything to do with HOB skimmers and only HOB skimmers. Even with an ATO and tops, the water level cannot be kept steady for HOB skimmers to be effective. And even with a top, evap is not trivial especially if you are using a skimmer.
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Many many manufactured sumps do not maintain a constant skimmer chamber water level. An enormous amount of people run HOB skimmers successfully. OP do your own research before you listen to any one internet opinion.
 
SkullV said:
Many many manufactured sumps do not maintain a constant skimmer chamber water level. An enormous amount of people run HOB skimmers successfully. OP do your own research before you listen to any one internet opinion.
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Just about any sump that is designed to hold a protein skimmer will maintain a constant skimmer chamber water level. It is almost impossible to keep the water level constant in your main display tank without a sump. Neither you nor I use a HOB setup because of its drawbacks. I will leave it at that.
 
Kevin Says said:
Those extrinsic conditions have everything to do with HOB skimmers and only HOB skimmers. Even with an ATO and tops, the water level cannot be kept steady for HOB skimmers to be effective. And even with a top, evap is not trivial especially if you are using a skimmer.
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Kevin Says said:
Neither you nor I use a HOB setup because of its drawbacks.
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But I do have a H.O.B. on the side of my sump with ATO and no tops and have had it for over 2 1/2 years now and it works flawlessly and my water level is steady even w/o tops. Was wondering why you would think that anyone can not keep their water levels steady enough for a H.O.B. skimmer to be effective as I have never had that problem and my H.O.B. skimmer works very well and pulls out tons of the lovely grog and I see absolutely no drawbacks to it.
 
SkunkerX said:
But I do have a H.O.B. on the side of my sump with ATO and no tops and have had it for over 2 1/2 years now and it works flawlessly and my water level is steady even w/o tops. Was wondering why you would think that anyone can not keep their water levels steady enough for a H.O.B. skimmer to be effective as I have never had that problem and my H.O.B. skimmer works very well and pulls out tons of the lovely grog and I see absolutely no drawbacks to it.
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I was speaking from my own experience. While my Hob skimmer pulled gunk out, it was not consistent. Sometimes it would pull too wet and sometimes not at all. The same skimmer performed so much better in a sump. I of course upgraded to a bigger skimmer but that was my experience. I am routinely finding 125 gallon setups for $300 or so and I strongly felt that the person should upgrade instead of spending $200 for a HOB skimmer. It is just so much easier to deal with.
 
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