Looking for a skimmer for my 15g nano

[Kelly&Ely]

Hey all new here to Reef Central, me and my wife just stared up our first saltwater tank it's a 15gallon tall tank. We are absolutely loving it! Now i'm looking to add a skimmer to the tank, i want to do a HOB unit and was looking at the Rio Nano skimmer, but was wondering if anybody can get me some dimensions from one, my main concern is the height of it above the rim of the tank, I've got 5.75" before it would be exposed above the top of the canopy. Or if anybody has any other suggestions of a HOB skimmer that would fit within this height requirement and not be very expensive to purchase. Here is a picture of our tank right now.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs015.snc3/12301_1256344256162_1456268971_30591576_4407539_n.jpg

We just added the clown last night, we've still got a few inhabitants to add, probably a cleaner shrimp and another fish, not sure what yet.

[gkaquatic]

HOB difficult to come by for nano tanks or at least at a cheap cost. i can give u all the dimensions for a rio, ive had one for 2 years, but i dont love it. There are a few really nice intank options if ur willing to deal with the room it takes up.

*RIO info:

like i said ive had mine for about 2 years and im not in love with it. playing with the adjustment seems to be a norm. the skimmer is really touchy to water level change, so if u let ur tank drop water level often before and fresh RO i would not suggest this skimmer. Also the rio needs maintenance at least once every 4 months in my expertiance, which involves taking it off the tank taking the intake tube, the baffel and the impeller cover out- then clean them and the impeller. the rio also jams really easy. any little sand or small particle can jam it.

there are some nice things about the rio though. it does also serve as a filter. it has pads which can be changed out that filter water as it exits the skimmer and/or a media bag (for carbon or phosphate remover) can go in the same spot as the filter. this is kind of nice. You can also mod the rio to run on a air stone which makes it run nicer, but defeats buying a new one just to make it something else. IF U WANT TO GO THIS ROUTE LET ME KNOW AND I CAN TELL U HOW TO MOD IT. its really easy and it not busted looking.


*Intankes:

1. Oceanic Biocube skimmer is the cheapest and simplest intank. they go for anywhere from $30-$50. the are really small like 4"or 5" tall and about 2 1/2" around. it uses and wood air stone and a small air pump (everything is included) you may need a longer air line but that about it. quick and easy to set up. and it can be modded with a larger air pump to make it work even better but id try the one provided first.

http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/biocube-protein-skimmer.php

2.the other intank i would recommend is the AquaticLIFE mini skimmer. i replaced my rio with one of these and it nice. $50 or less. a little bigger than the Biocube intank but different. same style working as the rio, a needle wheel. really easy to set up and will run even with water level changes ( wont stop running like the rio will do sometimes) but will need to asjust the knob which is simple! the one downside is the bubbles that come out of the return flow. but they can easily fixed with a piece of filter flaws. bubbles are less in larger tankes.

http://aquaticlife.com/skimmer/index.html


hope all this helps and sorry to be long winded. if u have any more questions feel free.

**O and by the way all of these skimmers do up to 30 gallons.

[Kelly&Ely]

Thanks for the info, if you don't mind getting me the rio dimensions i'd appreciate it. I've seen the oceanic wood air stone one at the lfs and have considered it, but really want something external to the tank, and don't have the funds right now to get a sump setup other wise it wouldn't matter.

[gkaquatic]

there are other HOB skimmers like the CPR SR2

http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_SR2_Protein_Skimmer_In_Sump_Venturi_Protein_Skimmers_For_Tanks_Up_to_100_Gallons-CPR-CR1161-FIPSISVSUH-vi.html

and the AquaC Nano Remora

http://www.marinedepot.com/protein_skimmers_aquac_nano_remora-ap.html

but ive never tried one myself and they are over $100. i have heard the AquaC Nano Remora is nice but they are $140 or more. both use an external power head/ pump that hangs in the tank to push water into the skimmer box. which is kind of cool because if the pump fails/or leaking start on seals it wont make a mess outside the tank. that is on problem, if any, with any hang out filter/skimmer. the pumps that drive them are normally no contained inside the unit. so if u have a problem with it they can leak and cause a mess.
IM NOT TRYING TO TALK U OUT OF A HOB SKIMMER AT ALL!! i use hang on pump on all my tanks or atleast have at one time and i dont mind them.

there are few others out there that are HOB but are junk in my opinion... like the Azoo Mignon Skimmer Hang On Back Power Filter

http://www.marinedepot.com/Azoo_Mignon_Skimmer_Hang_On_Back_Power_Filter_Hang_On_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-Azoo-AZ13125-FIPSHONW-vi.html

i know a few people that have tried these and they hate them.

** ill get u those measurements on the RIO ASAP but i will say up front it sites kind of high out of the tank.

[Sinful Aquatics]

The CPR skimmer isnt too bad. I used to have one then gave it away cause I got the Remora. The remora does the work but if I had money I would get a tunze. JMHO

[gkaquatic]

the tunze is a nice skimmer if u dont mind the room it takes up. but totally worth every penny!! good friend has one and it works like a champ.

[roneil]

+1 tunze 9002

[gkaquatic]

RIO dimensions

*off tank:
- 10" high, 6 3/4" across, and 2 3/8" deep(not counting hang on lip)


*on tank:
- free hangs 4" away from back of tank OR ....

- push up against the tank: (using the wall or something to prop it up) 3" from the back of the tank.

- height off tank: 4 3/4" ( to the top of the collection cup)

- intake tube:3 1/2" to 5 1/2" into tank ( might do 7 if u go to the second O ring seal

- lastly hang on lip sits 1 3/4" to 2" depending on how u hang it.

- cord length is 55"

if u need any other messurements let me know!!!

[DiscusHeckel]

I have been using Tunze Nano Doc 9002 skimmer with very good results. It is very quiet too.