Protein slimmer or refugium for 14 gallon reef tank

mtgmichaelg · 04/06/2018, 08:19 AM

I want to add more filtration to my tank but I don’t really have space for both in the back of my tank. I either want to buy a refugium light to grow chaeto or buy a used protein skimmer. Which would be more useful for a nanotank?

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aznflyfisherman · 04/06/2018, 08:54 AM

IMO skimmer would be more useful. But your tank is only14g, a regular water change is the best no need for a skimmer or refugium.

ramseynb · 04/07/2018, 01:45 PM

Both aren't very effective on a tank that small. As aznflyfisherman said, water changes are your best bet. If you want more filtration, chemipure elite, purigen and filter floss does a good job. They do make these tiny glass skimmers that using an air pump attached to a wood air diffuser that supposedly works and has a tiny footprint, but I don't have any experience with them or even remember who makes them.

Fylerb · 04/12/2018, 05:55 PM

Water changes should take care of the tank in its own no need for skimmer

mndfreeze · 04/15/2018, 01:58 AM

Fuge wouldn't hurt for microfauna growth though. OP have you looked into maybe getting a HOB fuge? Then you could still have a skimmer in the rear chambers if thats your limiting factor. It's what I'm doing in my 29 cube. Remora skimmer HOB on one back side, HOB finnex fuge on the other half of the back side.

Sstanley223 · 04/15/2018, 08:08 AM

Skimmer! Oxygenates the water too!

AlSimmons · 04/15/2018, 04:18 PM

I'd go with a skimmer as well.

Tahlequah · 04/20/2018, 03:51 PM

I have had a 14g biocube for a long time. Gave up on the skimmer. You can go a few months without a water change unless you are going fish heavy.

mndfreeze · 04/26/2018, 05:05 AM

Definitely water changes are your number 1 maintenance thing to do. If you want more things to help ease the maint cycle the skimmer will be overall more useful, but the in back ones that fit cubes generally don't perform very well, but are still better then not having one at all. I would really look into a the cheapy hang on back finnex "breeder" box with fuge light. Then get an in back skimmer for your rear chamber area. Or you can buy a HOB skimmer and use your back chamber for cheato. Either way there are ways to do both.

04/06/2018, 08:19 AM	#1
mtgmichaelg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Miami, FL (Coral Gables) Posts: 90	Protein slimmer or refugium for 14 gallon reef tank I want to add more filtration to my tank but I don’t really have space for both in the back of my tank. I either want to buy a refugium light to grow chaeto or buy a used protein skimmer. Which would be more useful for a nanotank? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/07/2018, 01:45 PM	#3
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	Both aren't very effective on a tank that small. As aznflyfisherman said, water changes are your best bet. If you want more filtration, chemipure elite, purigen and filter floss does a good job. They do make these tiny glass skimmers that using an air pump attached to a wood air diffuser that supposedly works and has a tiny footprint, but I don't have any experience with them or even remember who makes them. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!

04/20/2018, 03:51 PM	#8
Tahlequah Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tahlequah, Ok Posts: 311	I have had a 14g biocube for a long time. Gave up on the skimmer. You can go a few months without a water change unless you are going fish heavy. __________________ "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Current Tank Info: JBJ 30RL

04/06/2018, 08:54 AM	#2
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	IMO skimmer would be more useful. But your tank is only14g, a regular water change is the best no need for a skimmer or refugium.

04/12/2018, 05:55 PM	#4
Fylerb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 51	Water changes should take care of the tank in its own no need for skimmer

04/15/2018, 01:58 AM	#5
mndfreeze Invert Sexy Time! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,255	Fuge wouldn't hurt for microfauna growth though. OP have you looked into maybe getting a HOB fuge? Then you could still have a skimmer in the rear chambers if thats your limiting factor. It's what I'm doing in my 29 cube. Remora skimmer HOB on one back side, HOB finnex fuge on the other half of the back side.

04/15/2018, 08:08 AM	#6
Sstanley223 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: North Aurora Illinois Posts: 24	Skimmer! Oxygenates the water too!

04/15/2018, 04:18 PM	#7
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	I'd go with a skimmer as well.

04/26/2018, 05:05 AM	#9
mndfreeze Invert Sexy Time! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,255	Definitely water changes are your number 1 maintenance thing to do. If you want more things to help ease the maint cycle the skimmer will be overall more useful, but the in back ones that fit cubes generally don't perform very well, but are still better then not having one at all. I would really look into a the cheapy hang on back finnex "breeder" box with fuge light. Then get an in back skimmer for your rear chamber area. Or you can buy a HOB skimmer and use your back chamber for cheato. Either way there are ways to do both.