HOB skimmer recommendation?

[Solitaryensis]

Hey guys,
I've been thinking about adding a HOB skimmer to my 30 gallon Oceanic cube and was hoping to get some suggestions. I was strongly considering a used ATB multi-purpose skimmer but just thought it was a little bit more than I wanted to spend. Let me know what you guys here in the nano-forum suggest! Thanks.

 

[roneil]

AquaC Remora

 

[Baltimore Bryan]

I have the CPR bak-pak 2+ HOB skimmer, it's available for under $125. It's rated up to 60 gallons, I use it on my 30 gallon and it pulls out a ton of stuff. So far it's worked well for me.

 

[Johnny C]

I've owned both the remora and the bakpak and didn't have much success with either of them. Unfortunatly with skimmers you get what you pay for, and being a very important part of your system I recommend buying something that actually skims (and well). IMO the only hang-on-back skimmers that are high quality are the octopus/deltec lines, although I've heard GREAT things about the bubble magus line. JMO!

 

[Solitaryensis]

Just looked up the bubble magus and it doesnt look half bad, especially for the price. Anyone have experience with one? Pics of one running?

 

[seaworldkid1]

the new octopus 150 hob is amazing the pump is a little big, but its amazing.

 

[riseandfloat]

I own a Deltec MCE300 and I think it does a good job. I have no experience with other skimmers but I have heard nothing but bad things about AquaCRemoras and do not see why people still recommend them. Spend a $100 more (than an AquaC) and get a Deltec. Although, I have heard good things about Octopus' skimmers but have no experience.

 

[reeftivo]

What's your budget?

 

[reeftivo]

Just looked up the bubble magus and it doesnt look half bad, especially for the price. Anyone have experience with one? Pics of one running?

Have the Bubble Magus and have temporarily shelved it until I get a new pump. There are Cadlights owners that are using them with sick looking skimmate (I mean sick-tar), but the new mini Magus comes with an Atman pump and IMO Atmans are junk. I'm not sure if they make hang ons but their larger models run Aquabees.

A good affordable hang on is the Reef Octopus 100F. Very simple but very effective. I have ATB, ATI, Deltec, Bermuda and Reef Octopus and the Octopus holds its own.

 

[jacksonpt]

I'm fairly new to the world of skimmers, but I've been using an Eshopps PSK-75 skimmer for about a month now. Got a bad impeller with it, but it was replaced quickly with no questions asked.

I'm pretty happy with so far.

 

[ddawson]

+1 on the Eshopps. I like the PSK-75H so much better then the Remora.

 

[E.intheC]

I've owned both the remora and the bakpak and didn't have much success with either of them. Unfortunatly with skimmers you get what you pay for, and being a very important part of your system I recommend buying something that actually skims (and well). IMO the only hang-on-back skimmers that are high quality are the octopus/deltec lines, although I've heard GREAT things about the bubble magus line. JMO!

+1 (except for the octopus.. they look a lot like bakpaks, IMO.)

Also though, I'd like to add the Warner Marine H1 or H2. I've used the H2 and it was a beast.

 

[gdavis17]

I have used a remora and thought it was ok. It pulled some good skimmate, but I thought it was a bit large for a HOB skimmer. I was in the same boat as you. I have a 37 gallon oceanic cube and was in the market for a skimmer for a long time. I ran a Coralife Super Skimmer 65 for 3 years and finally bought a Octopus 110 (in sump) from a fellow reefer about 2 months ago. I have to say my tank parameters went from all over the place to perfect in a weeks time. Octopus' are great skimmers for the price, but I've also heard great things about the vertex line.