FAQ #11: Is a skimmer necessary on a nano reef aquarium? | 52 FAQ

This week we are answering Craig Miller’s question from Week 17: “Is it worth putting a skimmer in a nano tank?”

So follow along as we answer today's question, provide some helpful insight, and help make reefing just bit more fun and easy for you and your tank.

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[chuckley]

i run a skimmer in a 29g nano cube and it works great. it helps for when you cant do a water change every week.

[Rueler]

I have a 35 gallon + 10 gallon sump with a pretty minimal bioload, 2 clowns and a psuedochromis.. I tried setting up a skimmer and my chaeto from my refugium next door kept getting clogged in the pump. Absolutely more hassle than it was worth in my opinion.

[vVvCuhRazy]

Awesome, thanks for answering my question! Sold the Biocube but just picked up a Nuvo 10 !

[tombraider]

I have never used any skimmer for 6 years I just use phoszorb, GAC ... recently I have added purigen and hydra depurator and my softies seem to thrive they open fully and doesn't look ill.

[Mike__B]

Hey when are we going to get back to the 52 weeks of the tank? Did the baby hatch yet?

[clearegtower]

If I ever run a large tank, I'll probably buy a skimmer. But for a nano tank, I prefer to either not run one, or to make my own. It's really not hard to do if you have an air pump and a few water bottles.

[patricktan]

Anyone has had any experience with the Skimz SH1 Skimmer for nano reef tank? Appreciate your inputs.... 🤗🤗🤗

[curtnstaclane]

How much water change is recommend if you don't run a skimmer

[MandarLoke]

lol where's the other guy who used to talk funny ?

[guapodidier]

im not agree, 'cuz in a nano tank the waste, food, fish, and corals, changes the water chemistry in a second, is better have one than no one..

[DocChop]

I run skimmers on both my Nanos... I also only do water changes every 6 months, so skimmers are a must.. mother nature skims, so do I..

[jonathansimpson]

No protein
Unless you're a
Change the
That's

[um]

I think an important point when answering the question "Do I need a skimmer?" is to make sure that bacterial dosing is not used as an export method. This is, if you're running biopellets, dose DrTimsWasteAway, EA PureReefBallance, JBL BioNitratEx, RedSea NoPoX etc. you'll end up with a lot of bacterial slime and poor results. Bacterial dosing works by skimming away the extra bacterial mass after it feeds on nutrients.

Additionally, a protein skimmer will ensure good oxygenation in a small volume as the nano systems entail. I am running a protein skimmer on my 10G quarantine tank without ever emptying the cup - it produces about 1ml of skimmate a month with the current setting, plus added layers of sludge on the neck. What it does is to allow me to run an air stone in a saltwater environment without producing tons of air bubbles breaking at the surface and the resulting salt creep.

Hope this helps and is accurate.

[JaguarGod]

Yea know...This new guy has really made a big impression on me. I have enjoyed drinking beers, smoking weed, and doing coke to these latest vids. I think the new guy adds a fresh vibe, and he talks about niche topics. I love this video even before I watched it. I wondered about my use of a protein skimmer in a nano. I check brs, and there is a video talkin about it. FanFUCKINTastic!

[ronniekregar]

I wouldn't say there's no harm. In small tanks it can take out alot of good organics as well. Unless you have a bigg tank with big fish it's just not necessary, and I'd argue even beneficial not to have a skimmer.

[freemansaquatics]

I put a skimmer on my tank and will never go back i do weekly water changes 15 to 20% and my skimmer pulls and pulls ive been so surprised and shocked. They are a must in my opinion Cheers :)

[herby]

I like this channel heaps, but do you guys ever breathe when you talk. check your oxygen levels :)

[bestplans]

I do both weekly water changes as well as run an Aqua C Remora skimmer on my 36 gallon bow. You may not get the amount of skimmate that you would in a larger tank but there is still dissolved organics and proteins that will accumulate over time even with water changes. This is by no means a cheap hobby or investment and I'd much rather err on the side of caution than to have to fix a costly mess later.

[socalsean]

I fitted a Tunze 9004 in my JBJ 45
I would not set up a tank with out a skimmer regardless of size

[davidrael]

when is Ryan coming back? these videos are just repeating old videos without him....