So i'm getting a tank for my ebjd it may be coming with a nice sump and was wondering if there is any use for a protein skimmer for an ebjd and some bottom dwellers, any pros and cons would be nice.
Sump and skimmer for large cichlids?
- Thread starter DrawnToBeaches
- Start date
You'll have a really hard time getting a protein skimmer to work on a FW tank. Possible with enough air but really not worth it compared to just doing water changes, in my opinion.
The sump is great, though...
Matt
The sump is great, though...
Matt
Yep. ^
There have been several threads in the past on FW protein skimming. They do make rather expensive units designed for FW ponds and there are pressurized commercial systems, but just using a SW skimmer in a FW tank is not usually effective. I say "usually" because some people have claimed o get great results. In my experience (I tried it a few years ago) the skimmate was very watery and not at all like the goo you get from a SW tank.
The sump will be great, set it up with a filter sock at the inlet if you can.
There have been several threads in the past on FW protein skimming. They do make rather expensive units designed for FW ponds and there are pressurized commercial systems, but just using a SW skimmer in a FW tank is not usually effective. I say "usually" because some people have claimed o get great results. In my experience (I tried it a few years ago) the skimmate was very watery and not at all like the goo you get from a SW tank.
The sump will be great, set it up with a filter sock at the inlet if you can.
i have 2 filter socks planned for two inlets =p thanks for the info, really hoping this deal goes through paying an arm in a leg in a trade... =p but i want it, again thank you =]
large cichlids can be glass bangers and have no problems banging heaters around and such. having a sump solves this problem because you can hide the extra equipment. also the extra water volume comes in handy with big bioload fish.
When I'm shopping for a new (new to me, used CL) tank, I always go for SW set ups. Skimmers can be sold seperatly for a decent price. I prefer the used SW set ups because they tend to come with more expensive lighting, pumps and skimmers etc.. I've had some smaller tanks pay for themselves by reselling the equipment I do not use. Go for it!
