Best HOB Protien skimmer

[wswftball02]

so my current protien skimmer just plain out sucks and has started to not fully suck the water into chamber and is most of the time producing too many microbubbles, but no suprise because its a crappy seaclone skimmer. My tank is 55 gallons, and I am just wondering what people think are some of the best HOB protien skimmers out there that would be sufficient for my tank and that are worth me looking into. Thanks.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

24" is the recommended minimum length for a venturi driven protein skimmer.

The concept of hanging a protein skimmer onto the side of an aquarium is not a good one IMO/IME. Skimmers are plastic and heavy when full of water. Discharge contains microbubbles. I've never seen a good HOB skimmer in person but I'm aware there are some reputable ones such as Deltec.

Skimmers are best run in/off a sump.

If anyone has a good HOB protein skimmer please post!

 

[Johnny C]

Gary has good advice... if you have the option to plumb a sump, it will allow you to use a myriad of gadgets that aren't designed to run HOB, among many other benefits.

If you are limited to HOB, I recommend a Reef Octopus HOB Skimmer like this. It has an external pump and produces constantly dark skim, unlike most in it's class. It'll run circles around the Seaclown, trust!

 

[Johnny C]

Edit: Double Post.

 

[titoav15]

I have a HOB skimmer. I bought a seaclone as my first skimmer, thankfully that store had a 30 day money back policy and I ended up returning that a week later. I bought a Reef Octopus BH100F and after 1.5 years of use still no complaints, works like a champ!
here is the link to it:
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopu...otein-br-skimmer-with-filter-system-1013.html
Hope this helps!

 

[wswftball02]

thanks guys because actually I was thinking about that one or the reef octo 2000 but not sure I need that one if I only have a 55 and the 1000 is rated to 90 and the 2000 is rated at like 120 i think.

 

[titoav15]

i have a 55g as well

 

[Ranchero]

I like my Octopus
I have one on my 46 and on my 45

 

[wswftball02]

yeah Ill probably just go with the octo 1000, honestly anything is probably better then the crappy sea clone. How often do you guys have to dump out your cup when its full?

 

[toddmh]

I use a octopus BH 2000 on my hospital tank when needed it is a very nice hob skimmer

http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopu...back-protein-skimmer-br-by-coralvue-2348.html

 

[naprestsleep]

I used a BH300 on my DT for a year or two, worked but no where like a standard skimmer in a sump. I use it on my QT now and not sure its even worth it there.

 

[boosted chemist]

on our work tank we run a octopus backpack, seems like ti needs constant adjustment. On the home tank i run a aquaC remora and it seems to run constant with DARK skim mate along with no adjustments needed.

 

[Ranchero]

If I do any recent dosing or feeding I have to empty it out sooner but honestly I get alot of 'residue' not water because I keep them high.
My 100ss I have on my 45 I change out probably once every week or two weeks depending on what I have added to the frag tank but my 100F I have on my 46 I change out probably once every 3-4 weeks

 

[block head]

i run a remora hob. kinda noisy, easy maintenance, works so,so. can usually be found fairly cheap used.

 

[Reef Shepherd]

What site to buy from?

What site to buy from?

Any suggestions on a good site to buy a reef octopus from?

 

[titoav15]

I got mine from acquacave.com, I think marinedepot.com sells them also

 

[naprestsleep]

Reef Specialty carries several, where I got mine. They got pretty good customer service and can help you pick one if you need it.