WTB nano size Protein Skimmer or advice

Blindrage

Anthias
M.A.S.C Club Member
#1
I am looking for some advice, and possibly to buy if someone has one laying around.

My wife has decided to take the plunge on a tank of her own, but wanted to keep it small. We picked up an IM Nano 24 this weekend (the guy flaked on the nano 16 we were set to buy off Craigslist). Luckily for us, Cris at Aquatic Art just happened to have a used AI Vega sitting around, so we have a monster light to hang over the tank. The only remaining issue would be a protein skimmer to drop into one of the back sections.

So anyone with experience on these tiny skimmers? I have looked at the IM skimmer and the Tunze 9002 (or 9004). I am not sure how well the IM skimmer works, and I am not sure the 9002 will fit in the back section of this all-in-one. These are my top two contenders at this point, but I am open to options.

So anyone with a spare that they think will work well with this setup, or have you run a specific skimmer on a similar tank and been very happy with it?
 

fishguy69

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#2
IM skimmers work well. Currently we don't have one on our 16 due to us doing water changes on it once a week. We take out about 3-4gallons once a week and it keeps it nice and clean. Things are growing exponentially in it. Almost any of those you mentioned works well. Let us know.

V
 

Nmertz1

Angel Fish
#3
Do NOT buy the IM skimmers. I started out with one and even after a month there were micro bubbles. I picked up the tunze and it's been incredible. Plus, it doesn't stick out of the back like the IM skimmer...

If you wanna buy the IM skimmer I have one lol
 

Blindrage

Anthias
M.A.S.C Club Member
#4
Nmertz1;281309 said:
Do NOT buy the IM skimmers. I started out with one and even after a month there were micro bubbles. I picked up the tunze and it's been incredible. Plus, it doesn't stick out of the back like the IM skimmer...

If you wanna buy the IM skimmer I have one lol
Are you running the 9002 or 9004 from Tunze and on what tank? I want to make sure I am looking at the same one if I go that route and that someone has experiance that it will fit in the IM Nuvo Nano 24 before I buy one.
 

J.guokas

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#5
I've heard really good things about the cadlights skimmers as well. They have one that should fit the nuvo 24. I run an IM skimmer on my 30 nuvo and it works great. It took a while to break in but once it broke in its kickin ***.
 

Nmertz1

Angel Fish
#6
J.guokas;281311 said:
I've heard really good things about the cadlights skimmers as well. They have one that should fit the nuvo 24. I run an IM skimmer on my 30 nuvo and it works great. It took a while to break in but once it broke in its kickin ***.
+1 I saw this setup the other day and it works really well for him lol
 

Munch

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#7
I have the Cadlights nano skimmer and reactor. Once dialed in, they work nicely.
 

Jeremiah

Tang
M.A.S.C Club Member
#8
I have a nuvo 16 with the Small IM skimmer and have had it for a 4+ months and it never stopped with the bubbles. They are not terrible, but they never went away. I will say it pulls a nice skim when I run it. Since IM didn't design the baffles in the back of the tank to help eliminate bubbles I just run it at night so I don't have to see them.
 

SkyShark

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#9
I'm running the larger size IM skimmer in my Nuvo 38. I haven't had any issues with the micro bubbles (they went away after a couple days), but it is loud! Way too loud in my opinion. I am looking to switch to a Tunze or cad lights skimmer. Otherwise, I've been very happy with the Nuvo tank.
 
#10
SkyShark;281325 said:
I'm running the larger size IM skimmer in my Nuvo 38. I haven't had any issues with the micro bubbles (they went away after a couple days), but it is loud! Way too loud in my opinion. I am looking to switch to a Tunze or cad lights skimmer. Otherwise, I've been very happy with the Nuvo tank.
+1 they are very loud especially if you have your tank in a bedroom and are trying to sleep at night. Like I said, the tunze works great, isn't loud, and has a discreet look.
 

Blindrage

Anthias
M.A.S.C Club Member
#11
Thanks for all the replies and advice. I will look into the Cadlight, and decide between it and the Tunze.

Noise is a concern since it is my wife's office, and something I was not even thinking about.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
 

marinediehard

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#12
I actually ordered the Tunze 9002. It is due to arrive tomorrow. So I will let you know how loud it is.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
 

SkyShark

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#13
SkyShark;281325 said:
I'm running the larger size IM skimmer in my Nuvo 38. I haven't had any issues with the micro bubbles (they went away after a couple days), but it is loud! Way too loud in my opinion. I am looking to switch to a Tunze or cad lights skimmer. Otherwise, I've been very happy with the Nuvo tank.
I ordered the Tunze 9004 today with my 15% off coupon. I will have a comparison soon!
 

Blindrage

Anthias
M.A.S.C Club Member
#15
I ended up grabbing the 9002 with a loose magnet. That should allow it to fit pretty much anywhere in the back, and too many great reviews to not grab it up.

Thanks everyone.
 

marinediehard

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#16
I set up my Tunze 9002 3 days ago. It seemed to be working almost immediately. The tank is next to the couch I sit in to watch tv and I can't hardly hear the skimmer. So conclusion it is very quiet skimmer.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
 

SkyShark

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#17
Nmertz1;281518 said:
I got the 9004 and it's incredible!
Where did you place the skimmer (which chamber, and which way does the collection cup grill face)? I wanted the magnets on the back of the tank, but it looks like i have to align it with the holding magnets on the side of the tank.
 

marinediehard

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#18
I have a red sea 34g. So it has the sump in the back so it is in there. The collection cup is atight fit though. I am picking up a 60g cube this week and then it is going in the sump on that tank until I find a larger skimmer. Ordered this one before I new I was getting a bigger tank.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
 

SkyShark

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#19
Not sure why I didn't realize this earlier, but you can submerge both sides of the magnets. I ended up putting the skimmer in the farthest right chamber facing the right side. The magnets are in the second from right chamber, now totally hidden. This skimmer is very low profile.
 
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