nano skimmer

[yardboy]

I've had my 20L hooked up to my main as a refugium for about four months. Last week I changed the overflow to the main sump due to some low flow problems in the refugium/frag tank. Now I'm thinking about using a 10 gallon sump for the 20 so it's a true nano, and moving the system to my office but am wondering about a skimmer for the system. Any suggestions/recommendations?

[mnreefgeek]

I've got a standard remora on my 20 and it does an OK job. Better than the Prism I used to run.

[reiple]

an idea for your nano:

do away with awful junk and make it simple since you're bringing it to your office. instead of skimmers, refugiums and sumps why not just do daily water changes?

a 20gallon tank would require only 1/2 to 1 gallons a day. Bring two jugs, one filled with fresh seawater or water from a mini reef. Use the empty one to remove, then pour the other (plus a little topoff freshwater). You can dispose the removed water or bring it home to your main tank (a little additional bioload at worst).

it will look simple, will work and I bet you're officemates will admire how a simple system works (sans all complicated stuff). It is a nano afterall.

[yardboy]

Hmmmm, interesting idea since about 30 ft. from my office is a faucet with ultrapure(RO/DI) water coming out of it. I've already got the stand started for it though, with a 10 gallon sump underneath, so an in sump skimmer won't complicate anything much anyway. There's also seawater right outside my window. Have to check the salinity next week. Thanks for the idea.

[ckreef]

Heck the water changes wouldn't even have to be daily --- weekly should do just fine.

I agree skip the skimmer --- more work then needed in an office environment.

The sumps OK as long as it's plumbed correctly and you have the stand to accomondate it.

[reiple]

ckreef - know of any design/vendor for portable tanks? not those habitats where the sides are distorted. Not bowed either. I am thinking of bringing one nano in my office too. You know, amaze the people there.

[ckreef]

Well if it was me and you wanted a nice compact tank to sit on your desk I would go with a Minibow 2.5 made by AGA. I know it's a bowfront but it's small in size, comes in different colors so you can coordinate w/ the office. ALso you can replace the std bulb w/ a 10 watt screw-in daylight PC. Add a small heater and an Aqua Clear 150 for circulation. Total cost around $50.00 and can be purchased at your local PetsMart.

A little bit of substrate (1" or so) and two decent sized pieces of LR.

That setup should be able to house your basic low light corals and maybe one small fish (Goby) and a small shrimp.

Change out 1/2 a gallon every week and wipe the front glass (plexi) down. Use the AQ 150 for circuklation but run carbon from time to time to keep the water looking crystal clear. Also might want to add so calcium to keep the LR pink and happy.

This would give you a presentable looking tank with a little reef in it that requires very low maintenance.

OK thats my idea --- but I do know that it's a bowfront and you said no bowfronts.

[sammy33]

I'm with Charles on this one. Less technology and more biology. Save the $$ you would spend on a skimmer and get some good LS and LR. Go for good circulation and consistent water changes and you will need very little other maintenance, dosing or equipment.

I do water changes on the 10th, 20th and 30th in my 15g nano. These are easy dates for me to remember and I am able to stay consistent this way. I did a water change today as a matter of fact.

[Casey]

Nanos dont really benefit from skimmers do the water changes instead mo