Protein Skimmers

[roxy6684]

What is a good, reasonably priced protein skimmer and where can I buy it? Also, what about the ones on ebay? Do I get what I pay for? Thanks

 

[Andrew]

If you want a cheap skimmer that works good, you may want to check out the coralife super skimmers. They don't cost too much and pull some good skimmate. I use one on my 75 gallon and its working great. For e-bay, it all depends on the type of skimmer you buy on e-bay. Stay away from the seaclone and jebo skimmers which sell on e-bay alot. Heres a thread to the coralife skimmer:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=563298&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

You can find them at some lfs and I would also look through the RC sponcer list. I belive when I was looking at them Pet Solutions had the cheapest price on them.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Coralife+Protein+Skimmers-C-40002062-C-.aspx

There are also many other great skimmers out there for pretty cheap. I would also check out the ASM skimmers:

http://www.asmskimmer.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21

What size of tank will this skimmer be used on?

 

[roxy6684]

Thank you. I am using it on a 55 g

 

[Andrew]

Both of those skimmers I used would work. For the coralife skimmer, the 65 or 125 model would work good. They can used in a sump or HOB. The ASM skimmers also work even better then the coralife skimmers but they do cost more.

 

[ledford1]

Will you have a sump? Will the skimmer need to be HOB?

Generally, in-sump skimmers are better. ASM, ER, Deltec, etc are among the favorites.

If you need to go with a HOB, I'd probably go with the Coralife Super Skimmers.

 

[roxy6684]

I don't have a sump... is itr better to have a sump?

 

[Andrew]

You don't have to have a sump but it hides your skimmer and ect from view but its not a have to have.

 

[roxy6684]

Yeah is there any other way to have a skimmer but not have it right there to see all that gross stuff?

 

[Andrew]

If you use the skimmer as a HOB then you can drill a line in the skimmer cup so when skimmate is produced, it is drained into a container through the line you drilled into the cup.

 

[roxy6684]

is that difficult?

 

[Andrew]

Nope. You just have drill a small hole for a 1/2'' tube line or small to run down into a bucket. Once its drilled you just take some selcone to make sure it doesn't leak.

 

[roxy6684]

ok thanks