Going to get a protein skimmer and refugium

[charlesp123]

Any suggestion on a protein skimmer and refugium? currently I have a 30 gallon tank with a proclear aquatics wet/dry filter with a Rio+2100 sump set up.

 

[charlesp123]

Needing to get a Protein skimmer and refugium

Currently I have a 30 gallon breeder tank with a ProClear Aquatic wet/dry filter and now I am wanting to add a protein skimmer and refugium.. any suggestions? also not looking to spend a fortune.

 

[chichimom79]

Have you tried going through tank builds similar to yours to see what other people are running? Can't really tell how much room you have in your sump for one.

 

[noy]

you can probably run a HOB skimmer like a AquaMaxx HOB-1 or even a coralife that draws water from the sump. I don't think you have room for a refugium in that sump setup. You may want to look at a HOB refugium that hangs off your display.

 

[charlesp123]

Thanks Noy, I will probably end up going with constructing some kind of HOB contraption.... Finally I will get to do my first DIY project on my tank! and will show pictures along the way

 

[charlesp123]

And Chichimom I will try to find a protein skimmer that can fit in the sump, as i just found out the Rio+ has a vent for the protein skimmer

 

[Civicdemon]

You can do like I did and get another sump and put them toghether with PVC in the middle, then you can run your skimmer in the current sump and refugium on the add on.

 

[rrbigdog]

FYI,

Like you I was trying to reuse a wet/dry filter for my new tank. I read all about bio balls not good etc. So this is how I attempted to solve my problem. I removed the tray and bio balls and ran the wet/dry in reverse order so I could place the skimmer in the water intake area. Although this worked, I still ended up getting a 20g tank during the Petco dollar a gallon sale and made my own sump with a larger skimmer. Because of limited funds I ended up getting the SCA-302 for about 130.00 including shipping and has been working great. Alot more skim and bubble compared to the seaclone.

 

[charlesp123]

Watching some youtube videos on how to build a protein skimmer seems extremely simple, think im going to tank that route as well. I dont understand why they are so expensive

 

[chichimom79]

Watching some youtube videos on how to build a protein skimmer seems extremely simple, think im going to tank that route as well. I dont understand why they are so expensive

Because retailers are greedy bastards? :evil!?!?:

 

[BL1]

Watching some youtube videos on how to build a protein skimmer seems extremely simple, think im going to tank that route as well. I dont understand why they are so expensive

The higher end skimmer companies actually do quite a bit of R&D into their products and some of the innovations in just the last year show that. Plus there's actually a lot of calculations they put into the volume/size/height/and shape of the cones they use for the skimmer bodies. All that stuff isn't cheap especially for a niche/hobby market.

 

[Keira in CO]

I just got (about a month ago) a Bubble Magus 5.5 for my 75g tank and it rocks. Its the model that sits on top of the pump so my sump has to have 9"-10" inches of water. I found a coupon at Petmountain and was happy to pay that then buy at a local shop (thieves here in den LOL)