Need a new HOT Skimmer

[happyface888]

Well I have been using a cpr bak pak for 7 years and it has never produced a full cup of dark skimmate. So its time for a new HOT Skimmer. Any suggestions? I was tempted to get a Remora but after reading the reviews around here it sounds like a hit or miss for skimming. I am interested in the typhoon over in DrsFS. So I am wondering does anyone have other suggestions? And a deltec or tunze or anything above 100 dollars would be nice but they are out of my range, I dont have that amount of money x.x Thanks

 

[edsimmons]

For a small tank and for $100ish i'd use this
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

not the best but it's ok.

 

[happyface888]

I dont have a sump would this work as a hang on?? Can this out preform the typhoon??

 

[jmc74]

the coralife are ok, I have never seen the typhoon, but I had 3 coralife, and they work way better than the CPR, they can be setup HOT or in sump, they have 2 versions, just make sure you get the needle wheel type, the other is a ventury, unless you want to save $ and want to mod the impeler to a meshmod, then get the ventury and save!

 

[sfsuphysics]

I have a coralife "Super" skimmer, for 220g tanks... while it's kinda sorta ok, it is not very useful as a skimmer IMO. It's almost as if that pump is improperly sized for the skimmer body. It really seems to have issues with keeping improper bubble levels, either overflowing or being underflowed, who knows maybe a piece of gunk hits the filter (which BTW NEEDS to be on in order for the think to pull air), then when it clears the pressure changes and poof.

Granted I use it in the sump rather than on the side of a tank, and luckily I do, if it'd keep this up as a hang on.

 

[GreshamH]

What pump are you using on your BakPak? I've been using one since the week they came out many many years ago. Mine kicks butt I have to say. I use a MaxiJet1200 with the venturi kit/screen and a metal needle valve to dial in the air intake. I can get a full cup of very stinky dark green water in two days. You just need to keep the venturi intake clean (weekly) and the riser tube in the cup clean (weekly). Having owned most HOT skimmers this is the only one I would buy except maybe the Deltec

 

[dieselgrk]

i can sell u my typhoon for $45....i had it on a 30g, it performed ok!

 

[650-IS350]

My CPR aquafuge with Protein skimmer (MJ1200) sucks ***.. thanfully my deltech mce600 does 99.99% of the work...

 

[joe.saunders]

I use the Coral life and have never used any other brand. I think I got lucky because it work excellently for my nano (which was originallyset up at work). I HAVE skimmed full cups with it and feel confortable recommending the the Coral Life.

This is the exact one that I currently use:
65 Gallon 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" x 20-3/4" high 325 gph CoralLife Super Skimmer.

 

[tuberider]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10479886#post10479886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
What pump are you using on your BakPak? I've been using one since the week they came out many many years ago. Mine kicks butt I have to say. I use a MaxiJet1200 with the venturi kit/screen and a metal needle valve to dial in the air intake. I can get a full cup of very stinky dark green water in two days. You just need to keep the venturi intake clean (weekly) and the riser tube in the cup clean (weekly). Having owned most HOT skimmers this is the only one I would buy except maybe the Deltec

I agree if tuned right the Bak-Pak is a reliable skimmer. I would not use a Coralife as a HOB, it's too sensitive and overflows at the drop of a hat.

 

[Roger928]

Go with the Remora on the 55. Very little tweaking and low maint. Will produce according to the bio-load. I swear by them for a HOB.

 

[happyface888]

I'll pass on the remora, Its not very effective. I read it over in the eq section and was kind of dissappointed.

 

[blink*]

I second the CPR Bakpak endorsement. If you're going to go with HOB skimmers, the bakpak beats the crap out of the remora.

 

[happyface888]

I was told even the top of the line remora pro with mag7 still sucks. The skimmers are built by hand and its inconsistency makes some work well and some dont work. So its a 50/50 hit or miss. And its pricey. Do you use the mesh mod or the airstone mod? And is there a 3rd mod?

 

[happyface888]

Hmm found this while browsing. Has anyone tried this mesh mod???
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28372

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

Do some searches here on RC about this skimmer.. ps75

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=245