Skimmer for a 10 gallon

[cookiemn]

OK, I decided to start a 10 gallon nano to put in my office. I had everything that I needed from spare parts that I have collected over the years. I was going to put a Penguin mini (100 gph) and a CPR BakPak. I was dry fitting the equipment today and discovered to my embarassment that the BakPak stood higher than the top of the tank.

So, does anyone have any recommendations for a skimmer to put on the tank?

 

[plumber_bob]

Try to find a Skilter... These are great for little Nanos. Also they are only like $20.00 - $40.00

 

[jasontatro]

Prizm by Red Sea is a good little skimmer for a Nano. I am currently running one on my 10g with good results.

Also... head on over to Nano-reef.com and you will find lits of people who have made CPR;s work on their nanos.

Also.... I would not recommend a Skilter. IMO.

 

[achu]

bakpak

I used the bak pak on my 6 gallon for a year and a half. Yes, it does sit higher than the tank, but it literally made my tank "bulletproof". I suggest if you can get it working that way (it worked just fine) to use it.

Some hints: Since the outflow sits fairly high, your biggest problem is going to be the splashes (if you have the original bakpak). I hung a piece of plastic over that outflow and that took care of the problem. Be careful though, if you hang the plastic over the edge of the outflow, you will be diverting water out of the tank... it is a tight fit.

One more thing, I put calurpa in the "biobale" part of the bakpak. Within days, all the copepods and amphipods were in there too.

I think the combination of the calerpa, lots of liverock and no fish, made the tank incredibly easy.

I set mine up as almost a joke, thinking that it would never work. Wow, has it surprised me!

achu

 

[OneOfDaZZZ]

why not just raise the tank a few inches? You could peice yourself toegther a little custom 4inch tall stand that would probably make your tank look cool.

 

[Sierra]

Piccolo skimmers work great for a 10g. They retail for $34.99 and are a very small air-driven skimmer that can fit inside a Aqua-clear or several other hang on back filters. We have had one set-up on a 18g nano-tank doing great. I get request for these skimmers across the US becasuse they are not that easy to find. I jiust got a shpment of 12 into Blue Sierra. Any questions stop by so we can show you haw they work.

 

[Katchupoy]

I raised my 10g. I just put two layers of 1" styros from HomeDepot. Just sits perfect.

To kill the bubbles, just face the elbow towards the skimmer. So you will end up having 1/4" inch spacing between the elbow and the glass at the back.

 

[j.stagner]

Cool idea, I wouldn't mind putting a little nano in my office. Sounds pretty neat.

 

[cookiemn]

I think I solved the problem. A guy I met was tearing down his 90 and was looking to buy his rock for $2/lb. ALL his rock had growth. They were all covered in purple!!! I took 90 lbs of the rock to put in my 60, which already had 30 lbs. So I've decided to skip the skimer and put 15-20 lbs of live rock in the 10. I may eventually put on a fuge though. I figured with the LR and the 15 lbs of live sand, it should be fine.

 

[Johnny]

I think it would still be a good idea to use a skimmer.

I would take a couple pieces of wood to space the tank up enough for the cpr to work, to dress up the wood cover it up with a piece of tile that matches the office decor. That would make an awesome display.

 

[Vandur]

Cookiemn,

If you go skimmer less, be religious about your water changes!! Both of my two 10s did great without a skimmer, but I must admit the 20 Long worked wonderful as well..

~V

 

[Katchupoy]

I agree about the water change.

 

[jasontatro]

I gotta cast my vote for a skimmer. I have had my nano up since October and have battled hair algae most of the time. Nothing helped.... RO/DI, Phosgard, no feedings for a week, nothing. I began skimming a few weeks ago and I am actually starting to see a reduction in the hair. So... while water changes are important, I'll take a reliable skimmer any day.

 

[Alice]

I ran a great nano in my office for almost three years with no skimmer and never had problems until the last 6 months before I tore it down. My duties and schedule (and my boss) changed at work and I just couldn't keep up on the water changes.

However, if I had been running a skimmer, the missed water changes might have been no big deal.

Alice