best HOB protein skimmer

[codydemmel4]

I am looking for opinions on what is the best HOB (hang on the back) protein skimmer out there.

I had a reef octopus before and it was really good, I am wondering what people think of the cheaper ones and what people think about the Bak Pak 2. This will be for a 55 gallon tank, please give me your opinions on whether you had one or saw one in use. I would greatly appreciate everyones opinion, thank you!

 

[Sapelo]

I had a cheap HOB on my 90 gallon (sorry, I blew it up and no longer know the brand). When I replaced it with a Reef Octopus I could not believe the difference.
If I was ever going back to HOB, it would be RO again and again.

 

[codydemmel4]

I had a cheap HOB on my 90 gallon (sorry, I blew it up and no longer know the brand). When I replaced it with a Reef Octopus I could not believe the difference.
If I was ever going back to HOB, it would be RO again and again.

Thank you, I will probably go the same route. I was just wondering if anyone had any good experiences with cheaper models and what people thought about the Bak Pak2.

What model did you have?

 

[rblackdvm]

I have a coralife HOB skimmer, it is on the cheaper end of skimmers. Does great for me on my 55.

 

[Mark426]

Reef Octopus BH-90. As close as you can get to a traditional sump skimmer. I had one for years after trying 3 other HOB's. Set and forget, never a problem with overflows, micro bubbles, fairly quiet and decent quality. Plus...no stupid rubber band to adjust a tiny collection cup.

 

[codydemmel4]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have someone in my area (Washington DC) that is willing to sell me this: AquaC Remora Hang-On Protein Skimmer without the pump for only $50 and he will include a recent split of his rose bta. I am wondering if anyone has experience with this HOB and if there is a better pump I can use then just the maxi jet 1200, it has great reviews on marinedepot

Please let me know if you have any personal experience or heard anything about it

 

[KafudaFish]

Those remora make a really nice door stop.

I would like to meet those that wrote these reviews and any for seaclones.

 

[codydemmel4]

Those remora make a really nice door stop.

I would like to meet those that wrote these reviews and any for seaclones.

haha why do you say its so bad?

 

[KafudaFish]

Some people can get them to "work" but the majority of people find out how poor of a job they do once they change to a different skimmer.

The larger models work better but for what they cost to buy and run I would stick with another brand like life reef.

Every so often someone makes a thread in the equipment subforum asking about the worst skimmers owned and the ones that come up time and again are:

remora
red sea max
seaclone
skilters


Basically these are just large aerators.

Getting the rose and skimmer is a good deal so maybe use it for a QT tank so please take what I said with a grain of salt.

Good luck.

 

[KafudaFish]

This is old but worth a read:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2235276&highlight=worst+skimmer

 

[ogarcia_1993]

Reed octopus BH 1000 or 2000 hands down best HOB skimmers
Everything else is a waste of money trust me don't spend little money on these seaclone or coralife bs

 

[KingTriton1]

Aquamaxx HOB-1 is a beast

 

[3dees]

I have a RO BH-2000 on my sumpless 120 gal. softie/lps reef. never a problem. I like that the pump is on the outside and not adding any heat to the water. I break mine down for a good cleaning every six months. the only downside is that like all hob's they are loud. I can't hear mine over the tv or stereo but it may become annoying in a bedroom.

 

[Pigpen17]

Aquamaxx HOB-1 is a beast

Yes. I love mine. I think it's rated for up to a 75. It is outstanding on my 56.

 

[codydemmel4]

Thanks everyone. I am leaning towards the Reef octopus HOB, but I am looking for some more opinions on the AquaC Remora Hang-On Protein Skimmer because that is by far the best deal I have saw and I want a rose bubble tip anemone.

 

[codydemmel4]

okay after looking through the forms it seems like the AquaC remora is horrible haha. So I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions people have on what HOB they use or have seen used and how good they are.

Also any mods that you made to them, to either skim more or be more quiet.

 

[mav3rick478]

Reef Octopus BH-90. As close as you can get to a traditional sump skimmer. I had one for years after trying 3 other HOB's. Set and forget, never a problem with overflows, micro bubbles, fairly quiet and decent quality. Plus...no stupid rubber band to adjust a tiny collection cup.

Agreed, I have the same model. A little louder than I thought it would be but no other complaints on craftsmanship or ease of use. I have mine on a 28 gallon bowfront, just a little overkill lol.

 

[Art13]

I have both an remora and a ro bh2000, on separate tanks. They are night and day, I regret getting the remora and will replace it as soon as I can, even though I got a deal on it like you were looking at.

 

[codydemmel4]

I have both an remora and a ro bh2000, on separate tanks. They are night and day, I regret getting the remora and will replace it as soon as I can, even though I got a deal on it like you were looking at.

Thank you for this, it helped a lot actually as I was hoping someone would be able to compare both!!

 

[Art13]

My remora does not sit straight on the tank, a lot noisier than the reef octo and less than half the size, i tried to get the overflow box attachment on it, that is a bit of a nightmare, pulled it off, and adjusting the height is a pain. It seems to remove skimmate, though on it's highest setting it is still mostly watery.