So my LFS told me...

I went into my LFS looking for a new protein skimmer because I really don't like mine. It's a JEBO and it's junk. There was hardly ever anything in the collection cup. The other night while I was sleeping, the water level dropped in my sump and the the JEBO started shooting water out of the sump and onto my wood floor. Needless to say, there was a huge mess. I was mad, and I said "Well that's that." I disconnected it and went to LFS.

I have a 37 gallon FWLR tank. Three fish, some snails, 1 anemone, yadda, yadda. LFS told me that instead of buying a $100 Sea Clone (I think that's what it was) I should just drop a phosphate sponge into the sump and position it so that it's up against my pump so the pump pulls water through the sponge at all times before expelling it back into the tank. I bought the sponge (Kent) and I'm setting it up tomorrow.

Does this sound okay to you guys? I mean, I though protein skimming was essential to a salt tank. Thoughts?

 

Yep get a skimmer, don't get a seaclone. If you are looking for a deal the coralifes are good.
Aquarium Protein Skimmers: Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer
and if you have room in your sump the Reef Octopus are a real good valve.
AquaCave - Product Catalog

 

I would get another protein skimmer still. phosphate sponges are good but only if you have a phosphate issue. It will not remove ammonia from your tank. The anemone will appreciate this the most. If you do not want to use a protein skimmer you will just end up having to do a ton more water changes and spend just as much on salt over the next year anyways.
Hope this helps.

 

Also, never restrict the input of a pump, it will severely shorten the life of the pump. If you want to run something like that actively then get an external power filter and run it that way.

 

Be careful of some phospate sponges. It has been brought to my attention that some phospate sponges have been known to leech aluminum into the water while removing phosphates. A phosphate sponge that I use "Phosban" comes with warnings on the container and inside mixed in with the substrate that warn if put in too strong of waterflow, the material will crush and turn into a powder which can kill fish tank inhabitants. Make sure when using phosphate sponges that you are using them correctly.

GLTA

 

depending on the size of your sump...i would just get a mini g skimmer by asm i bought one and that thing is a workhorse!

ASM Skimmer products, information and services

 

Certainly not a seaclone. I haev the 100 and 150 and both are sitting in the closet as they were noisy and didn't produce squat except a heavy mist of bubbles in the tank.

 

Once again I'm overwhelmed by the information gleaned from 3reefers! I love this place.

Okay, so the Mini G (ASM Skimmer products, information and services) the price is right. MANNYHERNZ, does it eject tons of bubbles into the tank?

The Coralife skimmer COVEY suggested looks nicer than the Mini G and it's cheaper. What's the difference?

Why are there such huge price differences with skimmers? Is it just because of their capacity to filter more water? Brand names?

You know the old saying, You get what you pay for. Is the same true in this instance?

 

I have the Coralife 220 on my big tank, works great. The nicest feature about this model (besides the low price) is the drain on the collection cup which I attached some tubing leading straight into an empty salt bucket. So no worries about overflowing

I liked the 220 so much I just picked up the small model (65) for my 20 gallon which is this weekend's project. Before I install it though I really want to drill a hole in the collection cup and install a spout for draining into a bucket. On this note if any member has any tips on how to go about this without cracking the cup please point me to the right direction.

@jasond56 ... go with the Coralife. You won't regret it IMO.

 

I have a G3 by ASM and Love it. So I imagine the mini would be just as great. Haven't read much on the Coralife. What I have had good things to say.

J