04prixgt04 Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) My wife and I are starting a 40 gal sw tank. Were on somewhat of a budget so I was looking at skimmers on ebay. Here is what I can afford. Don't know whats okay and what to stay away from. Any help is appriciated : http://www.ebay.com/...872858168956602 http://www.ebay.com/...=item2c5fd93c42 http://www.ebay.com/...=item43a688aa59 Thanx again and love the site Edited October 13, 2011 by 04prixgt04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Welcome to the forum. You really don't need a skimmer on a 30 unless you are doing high-end SPS. Most monti's and seriatopora, and some of the hardier acros are fine without skimming. LPS and softies will normally grow better in an unskimmed tank. Weekly water changes, and selective stocking, are more than sufficient to keep the water in good condition. If it's truly a budget issue, I would skip the skimmer and stock accordingly. Otherwise save up for a good quality skimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
04prixgt04 Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 its a 40 gallon breeder not a 30 gallon I'm sorry but yes thank you so much for the advice would you suggest one on a forty? we plan on having clownfish anemone some mushroom coral and a tang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innate1 Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I wouldn't put a tang in a tank under 75gals with that being the bare minimum. They need room to swim. I'd look at smaller more active fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
04prixgt04 Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 learning all the time. even the small yellow tangs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvandewa Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Especially not a yellow. I've got a small hippo in my 55 that seems to be doing OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvandewa Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Don't know anything about the first two, but the third looks like a AquaC Remora rip off. I've got a Remora Pro on my 55g ( a little overkill) and it works great. Very quiet. Much better than the Skilter 250 I had before. It was extremely loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I've maintained reef systems for many years without protein skimming and don't feel it's necessary. What ever methodology you chose what is important is consistant maintenance and monitoring your system and animals. Here's a quote I came across 15 years ago and it's still true today "As aquarists we should strive to be more in-tune with what is really going on in the tank by observing the animals contained therein. Too many people today are seeking technological wizardry to maintain their aquariums . . . The occupants of our aquariums are far more sensitive to water chemistry than any meter, and one should spend more time watching them instead of flashing lights and numbers on insruments." Delbeek and Sprung "The Reef Aquarium" Vol 1 p 113. Some people advocate frequent testing and some people (myself) are more lax and use the ol' eyeball, I would point out that corals can over time acclimate to conditions that will kill new corals so at least periodic testing is suggested once you are familiar with your tanks moods. As far as keeping any juvenile fish in a tank to small for the adult size you will find some authors who don't see a problem with dong so while many are against it. In theory I don't have a problem with doing so and have seen aquarists who do set up larger tanks for their fish as they grow or who take them and swap them or sell them. In practice however good intentions often translates into a protracted tormented death for the fish hence the obvious objection against doing so. Since you are just beginning I would strongly urge you to research the specific species to get fish that will not outgrow your tank and will be compatable with the coral species you plan on keeping. This is one of the reasons I really like forums like ARC, we are dealing with literally thousands of species and no one has experience with all of them, forums like this give you access to a huge experience base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Just start with a bigger tank!! Trust me you'll save money in the long run. Seriously, tangs can be a bit feisty with other fish and torment them to death esp. in a smaller tank. I'd say a 75 is the minimum for any tang, bigger for the larger species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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