HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all,

I have been using a Aqua One Marine 90 litre Nano Skim Protein Skimmer in my 26 litre salt water pool since Jan 2014 and are amazed by its performance. It moves 480 litres of water per hour.
It very quite and efficient while only uses 7.7 watts of power to operate so it inexpensive to run.
The kit includes a air pump which once connected to the lime wood air stone, it creates a pool full of micro bubble which carries any waste to the collection container located on the top of the skimmer for easy removal.

Since using this model I have gone from daily checks of ph, nitrate, salt etc to weekly checks.
The water stays crystal clear all the time and now I only have to check the water quality once a month instead of weekly water changes.

It took five versions and countless hours of lost sleep in creating my large salt water pool and at times I wondered if it was worth it.
Since I installed this skimmer everything has finally fallen into place
I currently have 11 crabs who use the salt water pool daily so there is always plenty of poo/food etc in the pool, but gone are the days of me spending my days cleaning now I can sit back and enjoy watching my crab family enjoy their days in the pool without disturbing them too much.

So if you every decide to create a large salt water pool for your hermit crabs please consider a Aqua One Marine Nano Skim Protein Skimmer.
There are two sizes available in this range 1) Nano Skim 40 lire (up to 40 litres tank))$45.00 approx 2) Nano Skim 90 litre (up to 90 litres tank) $80.00 approx
As they are a HOB design (hang on back) they are suitable for a small tank and they don't take up a large space

I hope this information helps others

Kind regards
Sweetp

Hi there, I am thinking about getting a protein skimmer for DIY built in pools on my next tank upgrade. Do you have photos? I could not seem to find this particular skimmer online; I am in the USA, where did you find yours? Everything I am finding for nano tanks is still large and unsightly to look at.

I would love to see how you have yours set up! Is it visible? Did you manage to hide it from view?

Thanks!

Hi
I'm located in Australia so I'm not sure what's available in the USA at the moment.
I will post pictures of my skimmer and saltwater pool showing my setup in the next few days.

Can you provide any info on what you are thinking of doing eg size of pool, how many litres/gallons depth, number of crabs in your tank etc

Knowing this info will assist me in providing you with options.

Kind regards
Sweetp

Thanks!

I am thinking of doing either a 2.5 or 5 gal pool, so the dimensions would be 12x6x8" or the larger option would be 16x8x10. I'm likely leaning towards the larger size pool so I have room to do some sort of ramp that's not too steep. I have 14 crabs total right now assuming the ones that are currently molting come back up OK. I'll probably just purchase a 5 gallon aquarium and sit it inside the 55 gallon tank as my pool, rather than dealing with silicone sealing to make a built-in.

Thanks for the name of the skimmer that you use, i will keep that in mind.

rednerite wrote:Hi there, I am thinking about getting a protein skimmer for DIY built in pools on my next tank upgrade. Do you have photos? I could not seem to find this particular skimmer online; I am in the USA, where did you find yours? Everything I am finding for nano tanks is still large and unsightly to look at.
I would love to see how you have yours set up! Is it visible? Did you manage to hide it from view?

Thanks!

Hi, rednerite
Below are photo's of my saltwater pool area showing my protein skimmer from a number of positions.
I choose a hob (hang on back) model as performance at a good price was more important than looks to me.
I understand your concerns about size, shape etc
Im happy with the appearance of my protein skimmer and only have added a few vines which hang from the collection cup.
Some of my crabs climb all over the skimmer and even use the waterfall (returning water) to clean out their shells



Aqua One NanoSkim 90 Litre Protein Skimmers are incredibly energy efficient as it effectively removes organic waste from the aquarium water .
The design allows variable mounting options for use either insump or hang on style placement.
Therefore the skimmer can be attached to small aquariums where no sump is used without occupying a large space within the aquarium.
The simple,accurate controls allows you to adjust the output quickly and easily, resulting in a cleaner, clearer water and healthier environment for all aquarium inhabitants.
The water pump with a needle wheel impeller reduces the bubble size which creates a higher surface area for collection of organic waste.
The lime wood,airstone powered by a air pump (which is supplied) creates a high density of small bubble which creates a high surface area of interaction between air and water forcing the organic waste up and into the collection cup for removal.
The skimmer also includes a carbon cartridge which adds a secondary chemical filter media while also providing mechanical filtration and preventing micro bubbles from entering the aquarium
* Dimensions: 20x13.5x26.5cm
* Max Aquarium Volume: 90L
* Flow Rate: 480L/hr
* Power Requirements: 230 – 240V
* Power Consumption: 7.7 watt
* Suitable for : Marine
* 2 + 1 Year Guarantee.


Front view showing waterfall (return)

Side view showing collection cup (on top)

Back view showing height of unit and filtration media used

I hope this information has helped. What type and size are your crabs ? Do they currently use their pools?
Could you please post a few photos of your tank
Kind regards
Sweetp

Thanks so much sweetp! My ecuadorians used the built in pools I used to have before upgrading to their current 40 gallon breeder tank. Right now they just have deep Tupperware dishes with air stones.

I have not started the setup on their new 55 gallon tank yet, but I like what you have done so might copy it!

I didn't realize that skimmer came with filtration media. This basically eliminates the need for an additional filter?

I have used the Tom mini nano filters in the past but they couldn't handle the junk the crabs dragged into their pools. Skimmer seems like the way to go!

Oh and my crabs range in size from small to large. One is about an extra large now. My Ecuadorian are also large now (they were tiny when I got them five years ago, they grow a lot faster than the pps)

rednerite wrote:
I didn't realize that skimmer came with filtration media. This basically eliminates the need for an additional filter?

I have used the Tom mini nano filters in the past but they couldn't handle the junk the crabs dragged into their pools. Skimmer seems like the way to go!

Hi rednerite

The protein skimmer comes with a thin plastic frame/polymer Wool Pad filter which slides into the unit.
I replaced the polymer filter with Marine pure - High performance bio filter ceramic media spheres for the following reasons

1) Spheres are made of a inert ceramic material with open flow architecture, extremely high surface area and natural wetting properties.
2) This media can be used in fresh or salt water.
3) Marine pure creates a stable bacteria that removes ammonia and nitres from the tank.
4) Can be used in sumps, trickle filters, wet/dry filters, hang on back filters or directly in the tank
5) It is resistant to clogging and greatly reduces tank maintenance.

This item is not cheap but I believe it's worth it. The filter which comes with the unit will work just remember to check it every few days as it will get dirty very quickly

Kind regards
Sweetp

What is the difference between protein skimmer and filter as it pertains to keeping crabs?


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