Skimmer Upgrade

I've been battling phosphates in my 28 gallon. So I thought it was time to add a bigger skimmer and a sump. I decided to add the skimz sn123. I know it's overkill but it was the smallest skimz with a DC pump I could find. All I can say is wow. it's so quiet and skims like a beast. Look at this gunk after the first 90 minutes.

 

Hiya,

Dang...that's nice. I still haven't put a skimmer on my bio cube. I'm sure I'll have to eventually, but so far so good.

Kim/Benton, AR

 

I really like this skimmer. it's so quiet!

 

I love my skimz! I think John is running the same one I am.

As to the phosphates, have you run GFO? That's been a simple solution for me. Run it in an inexpensive BRS reactor and change the media if testing shows it's saturated. Usually every 4 weeks or so.

 

what's size gfo reactor should I use on a 28 gallon tank?

 

Hmmm hadn't thought of that. Do you have a sump and any room under the stand or is it an AIO? If you can't run a reactor you can just run it in a filter sock. Just be sure to rinse it well. Not as efficient as a reactor but should help a lot.

 

I'm going to wait to see how this salt goes. I don't think I'm supposed to use gfo. supposedly it can create a ulns similar to zeovit.

 

Not if you're not over using it. GFO has no effect on Nitrates, just phosphate. Be interesting to see how the salt mix works for nutrient control. I've tried about every bacterial culture/method I can find without much effect on nitrates or phosphates. Carbon dosing for nitrates and GFO for phosphates are the only things that have been effective for me. Keep us informed this could be an easy break through if it works.

 

I added a carbon and gfo reactor too!

 

Shoot, I was hoping you were gonna show us a better way! Why don't you wait a while on the GFO and see?

I checked my PO4 again tonight and it's up to 0.04 so it's time for me to put my GFO reactor back on line. Nitrates are still undetectable.

 

I run Skimz Skimmers on 3 of my tanks. I have that same skimmer on either the LPS/Softy tank or the Clown harem tank. I don't remember which one it is on. What I do know is there is a design flaw on these that the SM203 doesn't have. Removal of the collection cup on the SM203 is a slight twist and lift. Removal of the collection cup on the 123 is lift straight up but the gasket can stick sometimes and make it a real pain to remove the cup.


John

 

I believe so too. I am running the Skimz Monzter SM203DC on my 125. I have been running it for 2 years and I still absolutely love it. I can't get over how quiet it is.


John