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View Full Version : Need Advise: Skimmer vs Cheato


douglam
08/26/2009, 08:38 PM
Currently i am running a 10 gallon sump on my 40 breeder, i know its kinda small. It has a good hunk of cheato, and an aqua c nano remora skimmer rated for 25 gallons. the skimmer seems to pull a good amount of ok skimate, and my water almost always tests with 0 Nitrate, and 0 or near 0 phosphate.

I just bought a euro-reef rs80, rated for 80 gallons, planning to put it in a 29 gallon sump i build with a spare 29 gallon tank. To my surprise, the 29 will not fit through the opening in the back of my stand. So heres the dilemma, im stuck with the 10 gallon, Im not buying a sump, but i cant decided if i should leave everything the way it was, undersized skimmer, and cheato, or if i should pull the cheato and sand from the sump and use the new skimmer.

HELP me decided

jayk198030
08/26/2009, 09:00 PM
skimmer over cheato but why not use both?

Henry Bowman
08/26/2009, 09:01 PM
Use the larger skimmer and put the remaining cash (if any) into livestock.

douglam
08/26/2009, 09:06 PM
If i use the new skimmer i would have to put the cheato before the skimmer.

If i use the new skimmer there will be no extra cash.

i am also risking micro bubbles in the tank if i used the new skimmer since it would have to be right before the return pump.

douglam
08/26/2009, 10:12 PM
bump

fox2589
08/26/2009, 10:24 PM
i would do the skimmer over the cheato..then later do both..-drew

douglam
08/27/2009, 06:35 PM
ttt

wetWolger
08/27/2009, 06:55 PM
do you use RO/DI? If so then I say larger skimmer....if not then you might be better with the cheato.

CoralBeautyII
08/27/2009, 07:35 PM
Chaeto before the skimmer
I could never get my nitrates at zero with a skimmer, in any of my tanks.
The hassle of cleaning it, the overflowing onto the floor, the mess, the smell, the bubbles..all for nothing IMO
I got a fuge, added some Chaeto and viola, nitrates are zero and have stayed zero for six months now with no water change.
Tank is just reaching the two year mark. I keep softees and a few LPS, I have six tangs and several smaller fish.
I will never bother with a skimmer again

douglam
08/27/2009, 07:45 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15605936#post15605936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wetWolger
do you use RO/DI? If so then I say larger skimmer....if not then you might be better with the cheato.

just curious why you say that?

Acan Lord
08/27/2009, 07:48 PM
[QUOTE]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15606210#post15606210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douglam
just curious why you say that? [/QUOTE
If you dont use it cheato can help take out what a RO/DI would have tank out if you used one, but of course it doesnt work as well as using ro/di water

douglam
08/27/2009, 07:52 PM
I do use rodi, but my cheato still grows like mad.

wetWolger
08/27/2009, 08:34 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15606266#post15606266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douglam
I do use rodi, but my cheato still grows like mad.

Extra feeding could help spur more cheato growth than expected.

But the reason I made my comment is that I view (no scientific evidence) macro algaes to be a better phosphate export than a skimmer. So if your fighting phosphates then I would rather have a good fuge and a medium skimmer than skip the fuge all together.

But if those things are not a concern then there is no doubt the health of the tank will benefit from a larger skimmer.

douglam
08/27/2009, 09:46 PM
i do feed a little more than i should but my nitrates and phosphates are still 0

wetWolger
08/27/2009, 10:45 PM
your phosphates are zero now, but will they stay that way without the fuge? No idea, just asking the question for something to think about

anemone123
08/28/2009, 11:05 AM
Keep the Cheato in the sump. Keep the new skimmer. Save your money for a better sump.

IMO, Best filter is Cheato, live rock and good skimmer.