Skimmer Choices for 56 Gallon reef

[csm41]

I need to get some good advice on a skimmer for my SW tank because I believe that the skimmer is my best tool for filtration. I have a 56 gallon tank, no sump, so I need a skimmer that either is a HOB or in tank skimmer. I will use a 10 gallon tank under the stand as an ATO platform. I am currently looking at the following:

Tunze DOC 9006 Protein Skimmer
Super Reef Octopus LX 1000S Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer
AquaC Remora Pro Protein Skimmer With Mag-Drive 3 Pump
AquaMaxx HOB-1 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer

I like the Tunze because I can just run it in the tank. I like the Remora Pro for its easy to use capability. I like the Octo for its pump. I like the Aquamaxx because it looks so easy to clean. Decisions, decisions. Any comments or opinions will be appreciated

 

[csm41]

I forgot to add the Deltec MCE 300 HOB to my list.

 

[csm41]

Guess I'll just have to figure this one out on my own ...

 

[clownfish2020]

I know there is a huge ongoing thread on skimmers started by mojo and mojo has highly rec. the aqua max hob for a system sized like yours

 

[kungfuujew]

i have a 60 gal and i use the ramora hob with the cobalt pump, the maxxi jet pump was too loud for me in my room, i was looking into getting the aqua max but they were all back ordered. i am also using a fluval 405 for chemi pure

 

[moondoggy4]

I have heard Roger say that the 9011 is so much better than the 9006 and that it is worth the extra cost. You could ask Roger on the Tunze forum he is Tunze rep here in the US. For the ATO I just use my water contaniers that you get at the LFS and put a solid air line in there and hook it up to a Tom's Aqualifter and then of course to a float valve. Sometimes it takes a little while to get a thread going.

 

[csm41]

Guys, I appreciate the replies. I actually like the Super Reef Octopus LX2000S Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer for its sheer power. It has Air pull: 960 L/H (34 SCFH). That's skimming. I do like that AquaMaxx HOB-1 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer because of build quality and ability to break down easily and clean. I guess the question is do I assume that they are all overrated and subtract their true skimming capacity in half? Another question is if I go with the beastly Reef Octo am I overrskimming?

The Tunze 9006 and 9011 concern me due to taking up tank space, but they are a cool design.

 

[dzfish17]

I dont know about the others but I use the reef octopus lx1000s on a 46g bow and it does a great job... they are a little bulky though.

 

[csm41]

For the ATO I just use my water contaniers that you get at the LFS and put a solid air line in there and hook it up to a Tom's Aqualifter and then of course to a float valve.

Nice advice! I'll look into that one.

 

[moondoggy4]

You can get different type of float switches from autotopoff.com that has a tank mount float switch with a snail guard.

 

[csm41]

That stuff from autotopoff.com looks great. I appreciate the tip. One thing that I forgot to mention is that once I decide on a skimmer, I will order whichever size CPR Aquafuge (HOB) I can fit with whatever space is left on the back of the tank. The Tunze would allow the largest, the AquaMaxx HOB-1 would allow the medium size and the beastly Super Reef Octopus LX2000S would allow the smallest. I don't know about the others here, but I have always had the biggest pump/skimmer I could fit into my reef set up. I have talked to a few that warned me that you can overskim. Can you really overskim, or is that a different thread?

I appreciate the dialogue.

 

[RickReef28]

I use a Remora HOB and it works great. Real Sleek for those that dont have much room to have anything HOB. Real easy to set up. I run on my 40 gallon but its rated for 75g

 

[rjcranor]

I have the Reef octopus bh 1000 skimmer on my 50 gallon breeder.

 

[moondoggy4]

You will be amazed of how much weight will be hanging on the back on your tank, a little disconcerting.

 

[csm41]

You will be amazed of how much weight will be hanging on the back on your tank, a little disconcerting.

Is that a subtle endorsement for the Tunze 9011?

 

[GROSSR]

I have a bh1000 and it is fantastic. It blows away the remora. I have both and remora is in the closet.

rich

 

[moondoggy4]

A HOB skimmer would work just find and the weight should not be problem I never heard of anything, just sighting a experience that I had when I put my HOB fuge on a small tank .

 

[csm41]

I bought the Aquamaxx HOB1. So far, I really like it. It is well built, easy to clean, quiet, and has a great pump. It is doing service and breaking in as we speak on a cycling tank. I have microbubbles, but am giving it some time because I have read from other owners that they go away after a month or so.

If they (microbubbles) don't go away, I will bite the bullet and get a HOB overflow box and build a sump/refug out of a 10 gallon tank which is about all that I can get into my stand. I figure that I can hang the Aquamaxx on the side.