Best Skimmer?

Hello out there, I have a few questions but 1st let me let u in on what i am running with. I have a 25 gallon, tertra ex30 power filter, a 40 gallon air pump with airstone , 15 pounds live sand, and only about 10 pounds of live rock(in process of getting more), 2 turbo snails (one has 2 worms on its back with orange brown crowns, very small, ive read up on these and most say they might die or fall off when they get bigger, TRUE OR NOT? What r they), 1 brittle star fish, 1 3 stripe damsel and one yellow tail damsel, it has been running for a little over a month but i dont have a protein skimmer and just want to know what would be a good choice for my tank. My water is very clean right now and tests good. The tetra ex30 says it has a bio scrubber and filter on it, does the bio scrubber do anything more than other filters do? Do I need a fuge or a sump and what r they for? This is my first tank and dont want to mess things up. All living things seem happy relaxed and r doing good and eating.

 

You don't usually use an airpump with saltwater tanks. The bubbles pop at the surface, the water evaporates, and then you are left with dried salt all over everything. This is called salt creep. http://z.about.com/d/saltaquarium/1/G/p/L/1/saltcreep1_500a.jpg

I'm not sure I would bother with a sump or refugium on a 25 gallon tank. However, if you want to look into them, this link will explain them. Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

If you don't have a sump, you would want to look for a HOB (Hang on Back) skimmer. Some people with tanks below 40 gallons don't even skim. They just do more frequent waterchanges.

 

Thanks, will the airpump and the salt creep be bad or Im guessing a hassle to clean and wast of salt? I thought airpump with stonw was good for oxygen and water mixture. Thats what i was told to do? But I dont know everyone has diff ideas i guess? Thanks again.

 

It's ugly, it's a hassle to clean, and it's a waste of salt. If it gets on any electronic equipment, it can cause shorts. For instance lighting can get ruined.

 

well I would not contradict Inwall as he has forgotten more than I know as far as reef keeping is concerned

that said - I use one in my tank to help with CO2 exchange and I found it to be better at keeping protiens (white scum) from forming at the surface and I locate it central to avoid bubbles popping, salt creep reaching my tank sides and climbing down wards - I also keep the thin clear plastic /acrylic sheet in my T5 canopy and once a week slide it out and wash the encrusted salt off it

I have no issues with salt creep as a result of the way I have it set up

edit - my tank is 5ft by 20 inches - you might have an issue in smaller area

Steve

 

i get a little salt on my lid but not any on sides, a scrape the lid off once a week and do a quick rinse =, i check the salinity but I do geta bit of foam on top. Im guessing that was the white scum from bubbles, salt and diff things in water? is that correct and would the protein skimmer help with that too?

 

That's actually how a protein skimmer works. A whole bunch of small bubbles are created, Dissolved organics stick to the bubbles, then because bubbles will naturally go upwards, the bubbles with all of the nasty organics collect in the skimmer cup. Then you end up with some nasty stuff like this. skimmate - Google Image Search

Steve,

That's pretty ingenious on how you handled your bubbles.

 

You are very kind

on another thread I suggested he use a air driven skimmer on his tank

3 advantages
1 - they are cost effective
2 -they work well - well my Berlin 60 did for me and in small tank with low bio load would work nicely
3 - it will put his air pump to good use and control his bubbles

Steve

 

All excellent points. Heck, I've even seen these on sale recently for $35.

 

Hey thanks for all the help I will most likely look into the berln, wont hurt is what it sounds like.