[mardemp]

Any recommendations for a skimmer in a 12 gallon reef tank??? I have the eclipes 12 system so it is a little hard to make things work with the hood. Thanks,
Marie

 

[Will C]

with the hood it will be almost impossible unless you want to cut it up some. you could get a small hang on and cut the top for the piping to fit.

 

[Mocerich]

If you have an extra 5 or 10g around (or you could pick one up for cheap) you could plumb in a sump. Stick your skimmer and heater in there - plus it would save you space. I'm thinking of doing that with my 12g eclipse that houses a clown pair.

 

[Will C]

good idea. i love sumps they make equipment problems such a breeze. im going to set up a 20 gal with a 10gal fuge just for kicks.

 

[mardemp]

Okay you guys now I know I am a newbie because I have no idea how to set up a sump. Any advice??? I guess I am going to learn when my new tank comes in but this sounds like a great idea for the 12. Any help would be greatly appricieated. Also will be looking for some great LR when the new tank gets here, any suggestions??? Thanks,
Marie

 

[Will C]

i have some stuff for you. pm me and we can talk.

 

[Josh]

Having just read you guys' posts on the skimmer for a smaller tank, I had to join up and hear more. I'm in the same boat. My landlord won't allow any larger than my 10 gallon aquarium with 1 percula clown, 1 Pygme Anthias, and 1 Springer. Thus far it is a fish only tank, but i would love to have live rock, vertabretes and such. The only thing holding me back, is the lack of a protein skimmer for a tank that small. One of you said something about a smaller tank for the skimmer, and then just pump the water back to the main tank, right? Now, I know that it isn't too hard to skim too much protein out of your tank. So, would that fix this problem? Will that prevent over skimming? And, what protein skimmer do you recommend?

Thanks guys,

Josh

 

[Skippy_electrician]

I have the eclips 12 that I have converted 2 saltwater just for something elso 2 do. For a while I had colt, mushrooms, and frogspawn in it with a clown and some crabs and a sea urchin(urchin just there for a bit while I messed with the 90) and I didnt have a skimmer and I had no problems. No there isnt anything 2 say that there could have been major brobs happening soon but it was set up like this for 6 months. Now it is just a prop tank for my shrooms, colt and xenia.

 

[Josh]

Hey Skip,

How often were you doing water changes? And you had no problems? Nothing died, water quality wasn't off the chart horrible? what kind of filter did you have? And the main thing that comes to mind, if these larger tanks (I'm sure you've got your 90 set up with a skimmer) need protein skimmers, why then did your 12 have no problems when typically, smaller tanks are more prone to pollution with a given high pollutant to water ratio?

 

[mardemp]

Josh,
I ended up not using a skimmer on the eclipes 12 and set up another 12 and a 6 system. I have never used skimmers just water changes 10 percent/week. Parameters were great and soft corals lived well. I have decided that the smaller tanks are just too much work so I now have a 20 gallon FO for my eel and a 160 reef. You are welcome to check it out on my web page mariedempsey.com. I still have a lot to do with the site but at least it is up and running. There are lots of nano-tank sites around if you need specific info. Good luck!
Marie