WMAS Discussion Forum : Do HOB skimmers work? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:58:02 +0000 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:33:53 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=46463 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Do HOB skimmers work? : You want your waterflow pointing...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397920&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397920 Author: Jeffs_little_ocean
Subject: 46463
Posted: January 31 2011 at 10:33pm

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.

]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:33:53 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397920&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397920 <![CDATA[Do HOB skimmers work? : Thanks for letting me know about...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397907&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397907 Author: Riverton_Ten
Subject: 46463
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? 
]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:49:37 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397907&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397907 <![CDATA[Do HOB skimmers work? : I would not worry about getting...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397879&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397879 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 46463
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]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:29:47 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397879&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397879 <![CDATA[Do HOB skimmers work? : do you have any macro algae?...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397771&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397771 Author: Lewy
Subject: 46463
Posted: January 31 2011 at 7:45am

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.]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2011 07:45:37 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397771&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397771 <![CDATA[Do HOB skimmers work? : Part of the problem is the Bio-Wheel...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397730&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397730 Author: CapnMorgan
Subject: 46463
Posted: January 30 2011 at 10:30pm

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. 
]]> Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:30:42 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397730&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397730 <![CDATA[Do HOB skimmers work? : I&#039;ve got a 20 gallon tank...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397706&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397706 Author: Riverton_Ten
Subject: 46463
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.


]]> Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:49:45 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46463&PID=397706&title=do-hob-skimmers-work#397706