Skimmer for 20 Reef Tank

[LBCBJ]

Whats up guys,

I'm starting up a 20 gallon reef tank (I already have a 90 gallon) and am looking for a good protein skimmer for it. I'm leaning toward a Bak Pak 2 or a Prizm, but have also looked at AquaC Remora (too expensive) and the Seaclone(heard bad things). Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[jasert39]

when i had my 20 setup i used the bak pak with good results...i just upgraded to a system with a sump with an insump skimmer and am going to be selling the bak pak soon

 

[Leo10988]

Coralife super skimmer 65 all the way

 

[vishboy]

NOT the Prizm. Sure, it will probably skim well for the first year, but then it just dies on you (mine did). Coralife seems like a good skimmer, but people say that the 65 isn't very good (overflowing, no skimate). I use an Aqua-C Remora and I love it.

just my 2cents

 

[bawla47]

i second the coralife skimmer. with a few mods, you can get it to skim amazing well, best bang for the buck id say.

 

[LBCBJ]

Thanks guys, anyone else have an opinion?

 

[rsxs1212]

I have said it before and ill say it again lol. i had the prizm and was not happy. it crapped outon me after about 5 months. purchased a coralife superskimmer 65 and all algae disapeered. I never had any problems with producing skimate except for the break-in period.

 

[xbenx92713]

well from what i've heard they bak pak2's are very good as long as you have them modded with maxi 1200's...

time to get a bigger sump hehe...then your option are endless

 

[humboldt reefer]

Never tried the maxijet on the bakpak but adding an airstone seemed to double the output for me.

 

[horkn]

i have a non modded rio powered cpr bakpak2r on my 35g, and it works pretty well. despite the rio being noisey.

 

[LBCBJ]

Ok, even more basic...do I even need a skimmer? I plan on keeping a medium stock of corals and a few fish and I like my water to be pristine. There will be no sump or external filter, the tank came with an undergravel but I think that will have to go.

 

[rsxs1212]

i cant say that i quite understand what your saying....you asked what skimmer you needed then asked if you even needed a skimmer then after you said no sump or external filter and you said the undergravel will have to go. You want medium stock of corals and a few fish yet you want your water pristine?? maybe i misunderstood what you said, anyway.............

 

[LBCBJ]

Yes, that's what I said. I know many experienced reef keepers who have kept nanos with no filtration or skimmer whatsoever and have had successful and beautiful aquariums. I'm simply asking for more opinions.

 

[xbenx92713]

i would put a skimmer on...what you need to think about is...is it worth losing all of my stuff to spend an extra $100?...i would go with a skimmer..and yes the maxi's work wonders...im sure you could also run air stones as well

 

[LBCBJ]

Good point, never thought about it like that.

 

[agrusczak]

My vote is for the Corallife superskimmer 65. I have one on my 25 gallon tank.