Cheap Nano Reef Skimmer

[jeepjon]

Hey guys...I thought of this old idea I heard of that I wanted to pass on. I heard you can use one of those small airstone driven protein skimmers in the box of a power filter (media removed, of course). The water level would never change on you (I know that's important for that type of skimmer), and they're relatively cheap and easy to use. I know some of you are using the Aquaclear 500 as a refugium...if you wanted to add a skimmer you could just hook it to the side of the filter! Anyway...I just wanted to share that idea with you.

[ckreef]

Actually there are a couple of people I know who use a small air driven skimmer inside an AC500.

[jeepjon]

and I thought I had remembered something special...

[bamann345]

we can give you credit. The "JeepJon nano skimmer" is what an air driven skimmer in a power filter

[Ray1214]

What is the brand of skimmer. are we talking like the Lee's Counter Current skimmer?

[ckreef]

Heck for a small Nano you could use the old Lee's Co-Current model. I used on on a 10 gal for a long time and skimmed good. You probably wouln't even need to cut it down. Just install and go.

[jeepjon]

Yeah, its those little short airstone driven skimmers...they're about 6-8" depending upon the model...they're open on the bottom (I think). I've only seen them in a friend's tank, but I never used them...I always have wanted something more high tech than that....but now that I'm a poor college student, well, I'm into more low-tech low cost. The Lee's ones are the ones I've seen used.

[sammy33]

8" Piccolo Skimmer

This is like supposedly the smallest skimmer. I have heard that it works well one you get it adjusted. Have to use an air valve on the pump to keep it in check.

[jeepjon]

Yup..that would be one of the ones. I am thinking about using that trick on my next tank...I have an eclipse 3 that I want to turn into a soft coral/mantis shrimp tank....so I may use that filter combo...

[biomekanic]

The bugger is finding one in the US