Tropical Fish Forums

[FloridaBoy]

In order to answer that completely you will need to outline your system goals, livestock plan... I would go with the skimmer first, you can always add a fuge later, they are both a good idea depending on your goals, also a veggie filter with reverse lighting cycle can be beneficial... however---IMO a basic 24/7 quarantine/hospital tank is more important than any of these add-on "basins" in the beginning.
_________________
Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[tripwater]

OK, I will focus on the skimmer then. I have taken my 10 gallon and converted it into a hospital tank. My LFS has a skimmer that is somewhat affordable called a prizm skimmer, but I read some people going off on this and saying it sucks. In your opinion, is this a worthless piece of equipment? It is a fraction of the cost of most suggested skimmers and I assume that "you get what you pay for" and this is so because of inadequacy

thank you for your time

[wittd]

Prizms get a bad rap. They are by no means the best skimmer, but they aren't as bad as everyone says. They do require a lot more work than others, no where near a set it and forget it piece of equipment. One thing that I have found to make a great difference is attaching a surface skimmer, which increases the performance in any skimmer. I wouldn't tell someone to go out and pick one, but that skimmer with the mod kit or an aqua clear surface skimmer still costs much less than others. If it is the best that you can afford, then it will help some. I still use one, but if I knew what I do now when I bought it, I would have waited until I could afford better.

[tripwater]

Thank you for the response. I also saw an affordable skimmer called the SeaClone 100. Any thoughts on this skimmer?

[sirreal63]

Pass on the SeaClown...quite possibly the worst skimmer ever built. I would pass on the Prism as well for a 50 gallon tank. You will spend more money on cheap skimmers over the long haul. You will figure out that that cheap skimmer isn't cutting it and buy what you think is a better skimmer only to later discover you need a better skimmer. Spend the money on a good skimmer up front, you will save money in the long run. A skimmer is your first line of defense against dirty water, don't skimp. If you need some suggestions let me know, I have seen and owned several. Plan on spending a couple hundred at least, maybe more. Cheap skimmers are usually a poor, outdated design with underpowered pumps.
_________________
Out on the road today...I saw a DeadHead sticker on a Cadillac...
Jack
110 Gallon DSA Pentagon

[Serum]

I don't know if this is allowed, but I have a Remora pro with Mag 5 in excellent condition...Pm me if interested.
Please delete if this is not allowed and I apologize.