Can you recommend a good protein skimmer?

[mellowyellow]

I'm currently cycling a 30 gal. saltwater tank with a hooded top. I have two questions: 1. Do I need more water movement and/or an air stone because the top is closed and 2. Can you recommend a good protein skimmer, one that really works, for a 30 gal. tank.

 

[David S]

no air stone, it'll just put salt deposits everywhere
do you have any powerheads
V2,octopus.theirs quite a few just research

 

[melosu58]

Is this just a glass hood. You might want to consider going with out one. Trap heat in the tank and promotes low PH due to poor gas exchange at the surface.

 

[mellowyellow]

Thanks for your reply. The top of my tank is black plastic and the light is also in black plastic. I can open the front that runs the length of the tank and I've been doing that during the day. I close it at night because we do have a cat.

 

[mellowyellow]

Thanks for your help. My tank cover is two parts both black. I do have a filter that came with the tank and does seem to push the water some. I can open the front of the lid that stretches the length of the tank and I've been doing so during the day.

 

[milhous3er]

I had a JBJ nano cube that had a similar light/hood. Before I knew what a PH was (silly) I just took an underwater filter, took all the goodies out and use that as water movement. Worked pretty good for me and cheaper than a PH.

 

[SelectAquariumSupply]

As for the protein skimmer, I like the Won Brothers CU75. It can either hook on or be submerged. Reasonably priced and super effective.
CLEAN

 

[mellowyellow]

Thanks. I'll look into the Won Bros. Cu75.

 

[Jereli]

i have a bak pak protein skimmer but air line is very loud...is there aynthing i can use to silence it..if i close it completely is silent i dont get as much micro bubbles. what can i do?

 

[milhous3er]

i have a bak pak protein skimmer but air line is very loud...is there aynthing i can use to silence it..if i close it completely is silent i dont get as much micro bubbles. what can i do?

I have this skimmer and you're right it's very loud. What I did was push the collection cup all the way down to where it touches the intake. Then I adjusted the muffler to where the sucking noise is pretty tolerable. I know the more air the better, but they skimmer is in my man cave and can't take the noise. Even with lesser air, I still get a full cup every week and its a pea (the vegetable) color. ]

Hope this helps !!

 

[Jereli]

i cant adjust the amount of air...mine just has like a cap on it but there is no adjustment...i have also noticed its not skimming anything anymore and i have less micro bubbles...is there a way to keep bubbles from exiting the return back into the tank so that i dont have bubbles returning back into my tank

 

[bavass]

look at the Octopus skimmers

 

[mellowyellow]

bavass
Thanks for the tip. I'm still contemplating the addition of a skimmer. my tank is only 30 gal. Right now it's holding and I'm looking to the end of next week to add a couple of fish. My foxface is quite happy now having the aquarium to itself. Wonder if foxface will welcome new friends or not. I think foxface will like some companionship.