I need a cheap skimmer for my 20 gallon.
Will this one work? I know cheap skimmers are usually horrible but this one has good reviews from everything I've read.
It will just be a 20 gallon with light bio load. Thanks.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~protein_skimmers_taam_ri o_nano_skimmer.html

I need a cheap skimmer for my 20 gallon.
Will this one work? I know cheap skimmers are usually horrible but this one has good reviews from everything I've read.
It will just be a 20 gallon with light bio load. Thanks.

Taam Rio Nano Skimmer (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~protein_skimmers_taam_ri o_nano_skimmer.html)

I don't know much about this skimmer, but my guess is that you will get what you pay for. If you want skimmer that performs well, I'd find a used Remora Nano or Tunze nano skimmer. Euro-reef will be coming out with a ~$80 nano skimmer (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=131801&view=findpost&p=1308509) soon, but it is designed to go in the sump chamber of a AIO.

-S

I had a Rio pump seize up and foul the bin of water I was mixing (luckily it was not in my tank) and they would not respond to my calls or emails. The pump was not under warranty but I still felt like they should have returned my call or written back in response to my email. I have been told that they have fixed this problem but with that kind of customer no service I won't buy from them again.

buy cheap you get cheap. You should look for a better used skimmer if you can. By buying a better one you will not only get better performance, but it will re-sell better if you need to. I had Remora skimmer on my 29 that I really liked. It would be perfect for a 20g.

buy cheap you get cheap.

And its not very cheap when you throw it in the trash and get a better skimmer...

From my local board Carolina Aquarium Community Forum :: View topic - F.S Aqua C Remora (http://www.carolinafishtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2844&highlight=)

I had a Rio pump seize up and foul the bin of water I was mixing (luckily it was not in my tank) and they would not respond to my calls or emails. The pump was not under warranty but I still felt like they should have returned my call or written back in response to my email. I have been told that they have fixed this problem but with that kind of customer no service I won't buy from them again.

The same thing happened to a friend of mine, in his display tank. The day he told me that, i replaced every Rio pump I was using. Of course, he was using them on a wave maker, and that's a no-no with many cheaper pumps and powerheads.

I know many fish stores who continue to use them, sell them, and recommend them.

It's true, some Rio pumps are bad, and others are good. I am currently using (7) Seio powerheads (also made by Taam) on 2 different tanks and have had no problems.

Regarding the skimmer, yes - you get waht you pay for. i have a AquaC Remora that i use on my 10 gallon coral QT tank, and the thing works great. I've also used it to speed up live rock curring, and on a 46 bowfront. It works best with their surface skimmer accessory, which also hides the powerhead, but forces you to be diligent in replacing water lost to evaporation to keep the water level constant.

And its not very cheap when you throw it in the trash and get a better skimmer...

And with that said, it's pretty hard medicine to take when you see 24" CPR PS Aquafuge knockoffs (http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=284) going for US $70. One guy on NR (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=94270&st=40) has used one of these and is getting pretty good skimmate with it. However, he had a part break and found a leak in his collection cup.

I'm almost tempted.

-S