Protein Skimming

Lorna

Lorna

Elite Fish
#1
Mar 3, 2005
3,082
4
0
NE Indiana
#1
I know most don't skim on smaller nano type tanks but I have set up a 10g with about 18lbs of live rock and saw this skimmer advertised.....

Fission Nano-Protein Skimmer

Has anyone heard of this or used one? it is a very small venturi type skimmer........I just wonder if it is worth the $$ to buy it.....though it isn't expensive at $25
 

S

shwnicus

Large Fish
#5
Feb 22, 2006
100
0
0
Kirkwood, MO
#5
if you do try it out, please post your opinions. I was looking at the same skimmer myself, but ran out of time. let us know how it works out, it sure seems like a great addition to any nano. any skimming helps.
 

fish outa wata

fish outa wata

Large Fish
#7
Dec 21, 2005
426
0
0
st. louis area
#7
Overall= B- great price, limited capability
I've had the Fission Nano-Protein Skimmer for about 2 months now. I don't really have any previous first-hand knowledge of another p.s. to base a comparison on but it does an okay job for the money. You really can't expect much production for the price.
I will say that replacement parts, seem hard to come by. For example the small filter that is in the collection cup.
 

W

wayne

Elite Fish
#10
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
0
#10
How hard was it to tune? How long before you got it to pull anything out? How much do you extract?

I will confess, I'm cynical of the value of skimming nanos
 

fish outa wata

fish outa wata

Large Fish
#11
Dec 21, 2005
426
0
0
st. louis area
#11
there's nothing to it. It's kind of plug and play. I don't think that you can tune it. You place a small foam filter in the unit above the circulating water below the collection cup. I've gone through a bunch of the filters and I don't think that you can order anymore.

The foam filter collects a lot of debris and gets black fast, about a week or so. So it definitely is doing somthing.

The collection cup never really foams up like the units at the LFS that I've seen. I do take it off every couple of days and wash it out because there is a film that builds up.
I hope that helps. Paul
 

S

shwnicus

Large Fish
#12
Feb 22, 2006
100
0
0
Kirkwood, MO
#12
hmmm... foam filter.... that seems odd. that could become a nitrate factory pretty quickly. still, getting that film off the water would be a good thing, i'm a big believer in the skimmer, though i'm new to the nano world.

fish outa wata: a local enthusiast :). st. louis area, huh? where about?
 

Lorna

Lorna

Elite Fish
#14
Mar 3, 2005
3,082
4
0
NE Indiana
#14
Well after fiddling with this thing for abount anhour a few points.

1. The air intake tube was blocked and I had to take the pump apart to ensure that this little wee tube was inserted far enough to draw air into the pump. Finally got air moving through the chamber

2. This thing produces a million microbubbles back into the tank and more between the joints. I ended up using two of the bubble filters and managed to reduce the micro bubbles to a minimum.

3. This thing separates very easily when knocked and takes a bit of work to get positioned height-wise in the tank/sump.

Plus side:
1. It is very very quiet
2. It is compact and takes hardly any room in the tank. I have it in the main tank of my 10g. The power head I have in there is bigger.
3. It is inexpensive and if it works out it is a pretty good buy though it doesn't replace regular water changes.

Altogether I probably worked an hour at getting this thing working half decently. I woke up this morning to a full cup of foam in it. So it is producing foam which is a good thing. Now to see if it pulls any gunk out of the water. We will give it a week then re-assess the goods.
 

Lorna

Lorna

Elite Fish
#15
Mar 3, 2005
3,082
4
0
NE Indiana
#15
Final conclusion. It is a piece of crap. After fiddling with this thing for 3 weeks I tossed it in the place where other pieces of mysterious equipment go to die. Live and learn....anyone interested in buying it....feel free to make an offer no reasonable offer refused and I will pay for shipping........there you go......a deal to good to miss
 

W

wayne

Elite Fish
#16
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
0
#16
Did it ever work? Did you ever get out any decent skimmate - you have a remora on another tank, so you whould know what it looks like...

More details would be handy... once you figure out how these things work, you start to realise that small size really is a big disadvantage to making it happen, and why 4 foot high olde worlde tubes with airstones in the bottom are hard to actually beat for out and out performance.
 

CAPSLOCK

CAPSLOCK

Elite Fish
#17
Jul 19, 2004
3,682
33
48
39
Cape Cod
#17
I agree with the size thing... we have a massive protein skimmer at the rehab center where I work for the sea turtle pool... the thing has to be at least 6ft high. Works great when it isn't fighting with you.
 

Lorna

Lorna

Elite Fish
#18
Mar 3, 2005
3,082
4
0
NE Indiana
#18
No I never did get it to work. All the fiddling in the world couldn't get the foam up the tower dry enough to do any good. The micro bubbles were a pain in the butt too. It sounds good in theory but is definitely not worth the effort, it is easier to do a quick water change on a 10-25g tank than it was to spend a couple of hours a week fiddling with that piece of plastic......Live and learn.

Nothing can replace good husbandry, and water change dilligence. On the other hand my Aqua Remora pulls like there is no tomorrow.........only issue I have with it is the pre-skimmer box that is attached to the pump with these hokey 3 thumb screws. This weekend I will be taking it apart and drilling holes for suction cups......
 

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