howto choose good protein skimmer
- Thread starter samy_b1
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schwaz
New member
Are you planning on a sump? That kinda makes a difference. Ill assume your not.
I run a sumpless 40 Breeder w/ a cpr backpack and MJ (maxi-jet) powerheads. Id say go with the MJs for Powerheads, unless you wana spring for a Tunze Nanao-Stream, which ive heard are nice.
For a skimmer Id look at Coralife super skimmers. I believe there is one for up to 65 gal and one for up to 125. AquaC Remora also has a good reputation for HOB skimmers, but I believe they are a bit more expensive than the CSS.
Welcome and good luck. You in the right place.
I run a sumpless 40 Breeder w/ a cpr backpack and MJ (maxi-jet) powerheads. Id say go with the MJs for Powerheads, unless you wana spring for a Tunze Nanao-Stream, which ive heard are nice.
For a skimmer Id look at Coralife super skimmers. I believe there is one for up to 65 gal and one for up to 125. AquaC Remora also has a good reputation for HOB skimmers, but I believe they are a bit more expensive than the CSS.
Welcome and good luck. You in the right place.
glbtrottr
New member
CSS are some of the best value for the money - CSS65.
Some people *really* like Aqua remora's. I have one on my zeroedge. It's great, but I probably need more skimmer.
The Tunze Nano does some good skimming also for me on my 22G Finnex SPS cube...if you don't mind the way it looks in your tank.
ASM does great in sump for the price...I've had a G2, G3 and G4X on the larger tanks...
Some people *really* like Aqua remora's. I have one on my zeroedge. It's great, but I probably need more skimmer.
The Tunze Nano does some good skimming also for me on my 22G Finnex SPS cube...if you don't mind the way it looks in your tank.
ASM does great in sump for the price...I've had a G2, G3 and G4X on the larger tanks...
ppurcell
New member
I don't know about the other recommendations, but the guys at wetwebmedia seem to think there are only two good skimmer brands on the market. EuroReef and AquaC. I use an ASM and love it, which is a less expensive version of the ER, but it requires a sump. If the AquaC Remora performs comparibly, it would be a very good skimmer choice.
Mountain_Nerd
New member
I run a AquaC Remora on my 55 gal and am very happy with it. I just bought the prefilter skimmer box to improve performance by pulling only surface water and hide the MJ1200. I am also very pleased with the look... which is especially important for a hang-on-tank skimmer. I bought mine on used eBay and got it very reasonably priced.
MrMexReefer
In Memoriam
I got a bakpak 2 skimmer used from someone on here, and it is awesome. I use it on my 20 long, and it pulls out thick nasty green skimmate all day. Definately not bad for $50.. but if you decide to go with it, get the prefilter box, because then you wont see the pump, or get microbubles. 
Whaledriver
New member
A simple way to compare skimmers is to look at how much foamy water they hold. The more foam they hold the better skimmer they should be.
How easy it is to maintain is also important since a dirty skimmer doesn't work well. Think about how you tank is set up in relation to the skimmer. If you have to jam it in a place that makes it hard to clean this might not be the best skimmer.
How easy it is to maintain is also important since a dirty skimmer doesn't work well. Think about how you tank is set up in relation to the skimmer. If you have to jam it in a place that makes it hard to clean this might not be the best skimmer.
steri
New member
Samy, unfortunatley you have asked a question with limitless answers, as people with different experiences will have different recommendations and feelings....me included 
Personally I use an Aqua C Remora Pro for my 75 and really like it. For a 30 you could easily get the smaller Remora model. They are, IMO, some of the easiest and most practical skimmers I have ever used. If there was ever a "set it and forget it" type of skimmer, this one is the closest I have found.
The Super Skimmers are great values for the dollar and are commonly referred to as high quality skimmers, but from experience and from what I've heard they are 1) bulky if you plan to use it HOB style, and 2) finicky as water levels in the tank change. IMO, they are best used as skimmers to be placed in a sump, not HOB, but are still quite effective HOB if you don't mind the bulkiness.
IMO, you get exactly what you pay for with cheaper skimmers and will be back to buying a good skimmer within a couple of months. You can buy a Coralife Super Skimmer on line for about $110-$120, maybe even cheaper if you went with the 65 model instead of the 125 (which you could easily do for a 30). That would be the cheapest I think you would be able to get a high quality skimmer, again, IMO.
I also hear ASM's are awesome skimmers, but I have never had one or used one, so I can't say much about those.
Buy the best one you can for your dollar. Try to stay away from cheap models (i.e seaclones) as they tend to be very very inconsistent and frustarting to work with as most people tend to make a ton of mods to them and are constantly adjusting things just to get the cheaper ones to work how they want them to. IMO, it's just not worth the hassle.
Personally I use an Aqua C Remora Pro for my 75 and really like it. For a 30 you could easily get the smaller Remora model. They are, IMO, some of the easiest and most practical skimmers I have ever used. If there was ever a "set it and forget it" type of skimmer, this one is the closest I have found.
The Super Skimmers are great values for the dollar and are commonly referred to as high quality skimmers, but from experience and from what I've heard they are 1) bulky if you plan to use it HOB style, and 2) finicky as water levels in the tank change. IMO, they are best used as skimmers to be placed in a sump, not HOB, but are still quite effective HOB if you don't mind the bulkiness.
IMO, you get exactly what you pay for with cheaper skimmers and will be back to buying a good skimmer within a couple of months. You can buy a Coralife Super Skimmer on line for about $110-$120, maybe even cheaper if you went with the 65 model instead of the 125 (which you could easily do for a 30). That would be the cheapest I think you would be able to get a high quality skimmer, again, IMO.
I also hear ASM's are awesome skimmers, but I have never had one or used one, so I can't say much about those.
Buy the best one you can for your dollar. Try to stay away from cheap models (i.e seaclones) as they tend to be very very inconsistent and frustarting to work with as most people tend to make a ton of mods to them and are constantly adjusting things just to get the cheaper ones to work how they want them to. IMO, it's just not worth the hassle.
ppurcell
New member
Edward Smith
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9058461#post9058461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMexReefer
I got a bakpak 2 skimmer used from someone on here, and it is awesome. I use it on my 20 long, and it pulls out thick nasty green skimmate all day. Definately not bad for $50.. but if you decide to go with it, get the prefilter box, because then you wont see the pump, or get microbubles.
I setup a bakpak for a friend and modified the maxijet with a needle wheel and............WOW!!!!!!!!
kimoy
Active member
all i can say is buy something that is reasonable for your budget but at the same time works for your system. coralife makes a good skimmer for the money then the aqua c. if you are planning to upgrade in the future buy something that will handle that future tank size. i learned it the hard way and it cost me money.
MrMexReefer
In Memoriam
Edward Smith.... i had an MJ1200.... can you gimme some details on how i can go about performing this mod? I would greatly appreciate it
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