Help Best looking 16/22 in/out with safe integrated skimmer?

[nivliw]

Looking for a nice-looking 16/22 in/out set for a planted tank.
Preferably durable and with a functional integrated skimmer.

I really like the Aquario Neo Flow V2, but I’ve read that the skimmer can suck in/kill small fish or shrimp. Any good alternatives?

Thanks!

 

[Unexpected]

I've never liked the all in one sets. They become a pain. Ehiem skimmers are my go to. Maybe check out a few plug and play skimmers and just run standard in/out.

@Naturescapes_Rocco runs some shinny gear, maybe he could offer some input as well.

 

[Scaper26]

If you're talking about skimmers integrated into inflow/outflow, I prefer skimmers that go on the inflow so the biofilm is taken to the filter for processing instead of being spit back into the water column, which is the case if your skimmer is on the outflow. Quality-wise and looks-wise, they're all the same; I've ordered from a few companies so far—FZone, Jardli, and another Chinese one—and I can confidently say the only difference is the markup. They're possibly made by the same manufacturer in China and sold to the various western distributors. Some people struggle with these inflow skimmers due to either a lack of flow or too much flow, which sucks air in. So if you want to use an inflow skimmer, you need a strong enough filter with appropriate flow adjustment valves.
I have had instances of fish being sucked in, but once they get used to it, they know how to deal with it. The shrimplets do occasionally get sucked in, but I'm sure we all find the occasional shrimp inside our canister filters.

 

[nivliw]

I've never liked the all in one sets. They become a pain. Ehiem skimmers are my go to. Maybe check out a few plug and play skimmers and just run standard in/out.

@Naturescapes_Rocco runs some shinny gear, maybe he could offer some input as well.

If you're talking about skimmers integrated into inflow/outflow, I prefer skimmers that go on the inflow so the biofilm is taken to the filter for processing instead of being spit back into the water column, which is the case if your skimmer is on the outflow. Quality-wise and looks-wise, they're all the same; I've ordered from a few companies so far—FZone, Jardli, and another Chinese one—and I can confidently say the only difference is the markup. They're possibly made by the same manufacturer in China and sold to the various western distributors. Some people struggle with these inflow skimmers due to either a lack of flow or too much flow, which sucks air in. So if you want to use an inflow skimmer, you need a strong enough filter with appropriate flow adjustment valves.
I have had instances of fish being sucked in, but once they get used to it, they know how to deal with it. The shrimplets do occasionally get sucked in, but I'm sure we all find the occasional shrimp inside our canister filters.

Do these integrated skimmers actually work well in your experience?
I already have an Oase Skim, but I’d like to remove it mainly for aesthetic reasons. I’m trying to keep the aquarium as clean and beautiful-looking as possible, so having everything integrated into the in/out setup is really appealing to me.

 

[Scaper26]

Do these integrated skimmers actually work well in your experience?
I already have an Oase Skim, but I’d like to remove it mainly for aesthetic reasons. I’m trying to keep the aquarium as clean and beautiful-looking as possible, so having everything integrated into the in/out setup is really appealing to me.

I used to use Oase skimmers as well. Switched to the integrated ones for a more minimalistic look as well. They can be finicky if you don't have enough flow or the flow is too high, which is why a strong filter with adjustable flow is required so you can tune the suction up or down as required. But they work really well as long as you keep the skimmer clean. I have them on all my tanks, and my tank surfaces are always free of biofilm.
There are some tricks to installing it on; otherwise, it sucks air in. But you'll learn those as you go, and it doesn't affect functionality.

 

[nivliw]

I used to use Oase skimmers as well. Switched to the integrated ones for a more minimalistic look as well. They can be finicky if you don't have enough flow or the flow is too high, which is why a strong filter with adjustable flow is required so you can tune the suction up or down as required. But they work really well as long as you keep the skimmer clean. I have them on all my tanks, and my tank surfaces are always free of biofilm.
There are some tricks to installing it on; otherwise, it sucks air in. But you'll learn those as you go, and it doesn't affect functionality.

I have an Oase BioMaster 2 Thermo 600, but I’ve never really understood whether the flow can actually be adjusted on these filters or not?

 

[nivliw]

I’m also undecided between stainless steel and glass. From what I’ve seen, if I go with stainless steel I won’t really be able to have a proper lily pipe style outflow. Am I wrong?

 

[Scaper26]

I have an Oase BioMaster 2 Thermo 600, but I’ve never really understood whether the flow can actually be adjusted on these filters or not?

So the unlock valve on the inlet/outlet side can be used to adjust flow to a certain extent, but I wouldn't suggest unlocking more than 50% of the way. You can always add double-tap connectors to adjust flow. That's how I fine-tune my flow.

 

[Unexpected]

Do these integrated skimmers actually work well in your experience?
I already have an Oase Skim, but I’d like to remove it mainly for aesthetic reasons. I’m trying to keep the aquarium as clean and beautiful-looking as possible, so having everything integrated into the in/out setup is really appealing to me.

I've found them to be a pain in the ass when it comes time to clean them. Way easier to just pull the standalone skimmer rinse and done. The all in one, have to pull it off the hose and not break it and clean and reattach.

 

[Scaper26]

I’m also undecided between stainless steel and glass. From what I’ve seen, if I go with stainless steel I won’t really be able to have a proper lily pipe style outflow. Am I wrong?

Correct, the stainless ones don't come with a lily pipe. The glass lily pipe will diffuse your flow quite a bit, FYI.

 

[nivliw]

I've found them to be a pain in the ass when it comes time to clean them. Way easier to just pull the standalone skimmer rinse and done. The all in one, have to pull it off the hose and not break it and clean and reattach.

Maybe I could get the stainless steel inlet with the integrated skimmer, and then use a glass lily pipe for the outflow? Do you think that would look good aesthetically?
The idea of having to frequently remove and clean a glass skimmer honestly scares me — I’d probably break it almost immediately. I already have to use insane force just to remove the Chihiros Pro tubes from my current inlet and outlet.

 

[Scaper26]

Maybe I could get the stainless steel inlet with the integrated skimmer, and then use a glass lily pipe for the outflow? Do you think that would look good aesthetically?
The idea of having to frequently remove and clean a glass skimmer honestly scares me — I’d probably break it almost immediately. I already have to use insane force just to remove the Chihiros Pro tubes from my current inlet and outlet.

Aesthetically it's about what you prefer haha.

So the skimmer isn't glass; it's acrylic (plastic). I take my inflow out and clean it biweekly. This is where the double-tap connector comes in handy. You'll be able to detach the inflow hose from the filter easily and clean your inflow. Many struggle to detach their hose from the inflow because they don't realize that the hose is being clamped onto the glass due to residual suction from the filter. The double-tap connector will help you detach the inflow from the filter and release the suctional clamp of the hose on the inflow; after that, just a slight tug will pull the hose off. I have never even gotten close to breaking any of the glassware because the double-tap connectors help me release the clamping force. I am, in fact scared of using the steel pipes because I feel like I will hit those against my tank glass and crack my tank lol

 

[Unexpected]

Do these integrated skimmers actually work well in your experience?
I already have an Oase Skim, but I’d like to remove it mainly for aesthetic reasons. I’m trying to keep the aquarium as clean and beautiful-looking as possible, so having everything integrated into the in/out setup is really appealing to me.

I've found them to be a pain in the ass when it comes time to clean them. Way easier to just pull the standalone skimmer rinse and done. The all in one, have to pull it off the hose and not break it and clean and reattach.

Maybe I could get the stainless steel inlet with the integrated skimmer, and then use a glass lily pipe for the outflow? Do you think that would look good aesthetically?
The idea of having to frequently remove and clean a glass skimmer honestly scares me — I’d probably break it almost immediately. I already have to use insane force just to remove the Chihiros Pro tubes from my current inlet and outlet.

They look pretty good. Easier than the glasses ones to wire clean.

 

[SmartAlec13]

I use a glass Jardli inflow+skimmer, though the actual skimmer head part is acrylic I think. I did break two of the little prongs/walls while scrubbing it with a toothbrush, but it was an easy fix and still works fine.

I have only had 1 fish get sucked in, and he was sucked into the seam (so not the spinning head part itself, but the crack between the skimmer and the inflow pipe). He did it a total of 3 times, and unfortunately was dead on the third time. I think he just yearned to be one with the flow.

I prefer the inflow skimmer to having a stand-alone skimmer, it would just be more machinery in the tank.

Cleaning them is fine, same as the glass lily pipe outflow. Haven't had any break, and I have dinged it on stuff accidentally sometimes lol.

 

[JayP]

In that last year and a half, I've tested numerous inflow/outflow pipes with and without skimmers and separate powered skimmers. Here are my thoughts.

1. I started with the Aquario Neo Flow pipes. I no longer use them because they get hazy over time from cleaning due to micro scratches. They also get a little more brittle over time and can crack where the pieces push together. The outflow skimmer doesn't work that well.

2 Stainless Steel: They work fine but I just prefer the aesthetics of glass or clear. I only tried ones with the skimmer on the outflow and again, it didn't work that well.

3. Powered skimmers. I have a couple of Oase skimmers. To work their best, you really need some third party 3D printed flow diverters and shrimp guards which I've used. It's vital to maintain consistent water level in the tank or they can become mind numbingly loud. I'm not using them at this time.

4. Glass Lily pipes: This is my current preferred setup. I have Jardli, Fzone, and Hygger pipes and I think quality between those 3 is about the same. For my 7g nano tank I use the 12/16 Jardli outflow spin pipe with skimmer and it works well in the small tank. In my larger tanks, I prefer the inflow skimmers, but here's the catch, I struggled with the acrylic skimmer floats that come with the pipes, so I tried a different third party skimmer float that I'll link below and once dialed in (balancing the flow into the bottom of the pipe and the skimmer float), it has worked really well. This is why my powered skimmers are now sitting on the shelf. When it comes to cleaning, yes, they'll likely need cleaned every 1 -3 weeks (if your a little obsessive like me). Installing double tap valves very close to where your tubing connects to the pipes makes cleaning rather easy though. Just shut off the valves, disconnect, and take to the sink. The valves also provide another simple way to adjust flow if you need to. The big disadvantage of glass, of course, is the fragility. Yes, I've broken 1 or 2 pipes. Always have spares.

Inflow Skimmer Float.

 

[Unexpected]

FYI, I'm Michael.