Saltwater & Reef

needmorecowbell · 03-27-2011, 02:18 PM

I have a 30 gal long tank with a ten gal sump and was wondering if there is any good skimmer out there for this. I don't have a lot of money and would like it under 100$. Thanks in advance

**catmel** · 03-27-2011, 05:01 PM

Look for used skimmers, a lot of times you can find a great one for a good price. I got a used coralife 65 ( wouldnt be my first choice, but works decent) for about $50. Its rated for up to 65, but over rating for a skimmer certainly isnt a bad thing.

needmorecowbell · 03-27-2011, 05:02 PM

I know that I would need to buy one rated for double my tank but I was looking for any good products. I have a sump but don't have much room in it.. It's a ten gallon here is a pic of it

needmorecowbell · 03-27-2011, 05:03 PM

I checked craigslist and they didn't have any so next Is the pennysaver.

mr_X · 03-27-2011, 10:02 PM

hmm..that's a tough one. fitting a skimmer in there is going to be a P.I.T.A.
i think you can do without a skimmer on a tank that size. just keep all of your heaters and reactors and such in the sump and do your 20% weekly water changes and you should be fine.

needmorecowbell · 03-27-2011, 10:26 PM

Sheesh 20%? I've always done 10 for my frescoes but I guess that's a whole different ballgame. That would get pretty expensive for the salt right? And I'm sure id have to get a ro filter now. I couldnt even store that much water in my house without my parents killing me.

mr_X · 03-27-2011, 10:30 PM

not really. about 6 gallons a week too expensive for you? that's barely more than a 5 gallon bucket. it's going to be hard to keep good parameters without some semblance of a water change schedule.

needmorecowbell · 03-27-2011, 10:35 PM

I guess your right. But im 14 and the money I get is from babysitting and nothing else. I pretty much dont spend Money anywhere else but this hobby. I could get a high of 50$ a month and a low of 35$ a month. I get 2$ an hour so a lot below min. wage for me till I'm 15-16. Would that be enough money to take care of it monthly. No water or electric bills for me so I can take that out.

mr_X · 03-27-2011, 10:37 PM

lol. well, if you can buy a can of reef crystals (40 bucks give or take), that should last you about 6 months.

**Gti_Leo** · 03-27-2011, 10:37 PM

i do 5 gallons a week in my 26 gallon, and i've been to lazy to buy an RO/DI unit so i've been using distilled water from 5 gallon jugs. its really not to expensive but i'm still fighting my nitrates, they are at 20ppm. i'm running a oceanic skimmer but its not really doing much, but i prob have it setup wrong