Skimmer On Tropical?

[Jabba]

Do you suppose a skimmer on a tropical freshwater would be worthwhile?

Looking for some supplementaries to the filter I have for when the big tank (180 gal) goes live, I wondered if maybe a skimmer would compliment the filter by doing a slightly different job - and if it would reduce the number of filter sponge washes needed too !!

Or should I just add a second filter?

Thinking of plumbing the water intakes and discharges between tank and filter(s) in 22mm John Guest Speedfit pipe too - anyone here done this? (I think those flexi hoses look so untidy)

 

[Musho3210]

It is possible and im pretty sure skimmers were first made for our sewer systems to try and lessen the load. But most skimmers are rated for saltwater and saltwater is much more "stickier" than freshwater. So you would need a HUGE skimmer for that tank. Something thats rated for tanks in the thousands maybe, which will cost a lot of money. And for the price i wouldnt think it would be worth it.

 

[Matty P]

From what I've heard skimmers don't work very well in FW because the specfic gravity isn't high enough to function efficiently.

 

[Jabba]

Thanks all ... second filter it is then ....