Need Skimmer for Cad 39G

[Oscar]

Ok I've had it! The no-name made in China skimmer that came as part of the package with my tank is driving me crazy. I came close to heaving it across the room today.

After 6 months and numerous modifications I am still dealing with microbubbles. Plus it is very clumsy to operate without any adustability.

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So I am in the market for a replacement. Here are my specs:

-less than 30 gallons water volume
-tank is located in the living room next to the bedroom so I am looking for something quiet
- very low bio-load at the moment but hoping to "load" up soon, mostly LPS but maybe a couple of SPS, with a max of 5 small fish
- Looking at the Tunze Nano, Tunze 9005, and Deltec 300

But I am open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[trilinearmipmap]

I have a Tunze 9002 nano-skimmer, stay away from it, I get a couple of tablespoons of skimmate per week, and every few weeks the thing starts making a noise or stops working and I have to take it apart and service it. Unlike other Tunze products this thing is a piece of junk.

The bigger Tunze skimmers have good reputations though.

I am waiting for the Euro-reef nano-skimmers to come out then my Tunze will be for sale or I will take it out back and shoot it.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

I am waiting for the Euro-reef nano-skimmers to come out then my Tunze will be for sale or I will take it out back and shoot it.

According to the Euro-reef website they were demo-ing their nano skimmer this weekend. When you do shoot the Tunze please post the video.

[MMAX]

Why run a skimmer at all on a small setup like yours? I used to run a Super Skimmer on my 20gal and the thing was a piece of crap. Removed it and haven't had a problem since, I just go with a 4 or 5 gal water change every week or so.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by MMAX

Why run a skimmer at all on a small setup like yours? I used to run a Super Skimmer on my 20gal and the thing was a piece of crap. Removed it and haven't had a problem since, I just go with a 4 or 5 gal water change every week or so.

What is your bioload / livestock?

[MMAX]

3...make that 2 fish (one of my clowns committed suicide last night-jumped out), 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 turbo snails, 7 hermits, a few stometalla (slugs), hairy crab, 5 or 6 corals (mostly softies) and 1 sun coral.

[justinl]

I have never had any problem with my tunze 9002. could have more skimmate but runs pretty well imo. about a cup a week. 75g stocked with a few lps (fed), blue damsel, canary wrasse, peacock mantis.

however, if you have the cash, the deltec is superior from what i hear.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by justinl

I have never had any problem with my tunze 9002. could have more skimmate but runs pretty well imo. about a cup a week.

Does the skimmate look like green tea or darker? What is the noise level like?

[justinl]

much darker than green tea. there is a slight fizzling noise that be slightly louder on some days, but it's really nothing more than a whisper.

imo the 9002 would definitely serve well on a 30g. MCE300 would be overkill, but would get the job (and then some) done while allowing for possible upgrades down the road.

[OCDP]

Well, I'll be the one to suggest an AquaC Remora. I've only used these skimmers, but I have been very impressed with the quality and consistancy of them.. they have never let me down. You put a small peice of paper towel into the injector compartment and it's very, very quiet. I have my nano in my living room and noise is no issue whatsoever.

I am now using a Remora Nano w/ an upgraded Maxijet 1200, and it's near the same performance as a regular Remora. The skimmate I get all varies, depending on how I have the collection cup tuned in. Generaly speaking though, the skimmate is dark, while if the cup is set low, it's more of a darker green tea colour. My only gripe with this skimmer, and is a common problem with most skimmers I am sure, is once the neck of the collection cup gets a slime coating of algae, the skimmate becomes more wet, and less frothy and foamy. I hope that made sense. Not a big problem, just a simple wipe down the skimmer neck every 3rd or 4th day for me.

Just my two cents, Remora has never let me down! Very reliable skimmer IME.