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Do HOB skimmers work?
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Riverton_Ten View Drop Down
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Joined: February 02 2008
Location: Riverton, UT
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    Posted: January 30 2011 at 8:49pm
I've got a 20 gallon tank that has a lot of chaeto along the sides, and a biowheel filter running 24/7, but no other way to filter out yucky stuff.  I keep mostly inexpensive softies, but I always seem to measure some nitrates.  Could I get an HOB protein skimmer to help with that?  Do they work enough to make them worth the money for a tank of this size?  Suggestions anyone?

Thanks.  Tired of this tank running well and then struggling.  Neverending problems.
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CapnMorgan View Drop Down
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Part of the problem is the Bio-Wheel itself. The exclusive purpose of the bio-wheel is to convert nutrients into nitrate. I would get rid of the bio-wheel if it were me. A skimmer can help, just make sure you get a reputable brand and one large enough to make a difference.
How much do you feed, and what do you feed? Are there any fish in the tank? If so what are they and how many? A photo might also help determine if there is anything else that could be changed to eliminate nitrates. 
Steve
My Old 180G Mixed Reef
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120G Wavefront Mixed
29G Seahorse & Softies
Running ReefAngel Plus x2
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Lewy View Drop Down
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do you have any macro algae? I have a smaller tank as well with a HOB filter. I got rid of the bio wheel and the filter pads. replaced with a sponge just for machanical filtration and after the sponge I put chaeto then AC. I don't know what kind of HOB filter you have so that might not be an option for you. I also added a standard daylight twist light for the chaeto. that ball of chaeto doubles every couple of weeks. Before doing all of this my nitrates were above 80ppm after they rarely go above 10ppm.
40 gal w/ 20 sump
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 31 2011 at 5:29pm
I would not worry about getting another gadget. Did you know that LS, LR and Macroalgae do +80% of the filtration in a typical reef aquarium?
We always recommend tossing the biowheel. It's just a Nitrate factory. Sorry you didn't know this earlier. Unhappy
Since you already have Chaeto and if it grows well, the tank may do much better with this one modification. Thumbs Up
A picture is worth a 1000 words so please post a pic of the tank so we can give other suggestions.
My next thought is the water flow. That is critical to tank health. Which direction is water flowingQuestion
And last but not least what are the Alk and Ca and do you keep that food supplied and in range?


Edited by Mark Peterson - January 31 2011 at 5:33pm
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
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Riverton_Ten View Drop Down
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Points: 471 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Riverton_Ten Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 31 2011 at 9:49pm
Thanks for letting me know about the bio-wheel.  Crummy bio-wheel, causing troubles....

I have at least two softballs' worth of chaeto in there, but I could put in more.  Water flow pointing up, disturbing surface?  Or sideways flowing through?  I have the biowheel flowing downward, but two small pumps shooting water from each side toward the center front.  Picture forthcoming.  What if I yank out the biowheel itself and just let the pump 'n dump action of the HOB gismo add more flow to the tank?  Better or worse? 
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Jeffs_little_ocean View Drop Down
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You want your waterflow pointing up. And I think more flow is always better. I say keep it on there and let er pump n dump. Lots of surface action = better gas exchange and ^PH.
Life is good....right?
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