Protein Skimmers

[DeAngelove]

Ok guys... here I go again! :-)
I have a new 46G Bowfront that is in the cycling process, and need to figure out what kind of protein skimmer is going to give me the best bang for my buck.

I would like to get something that I could keep and still use on my next tank upgrade. I have already started looking at possibilities for tanks down the road, and it looks like it may be a 72 or 90 Bowfront, or possibly a basic design aqauarium (rectangle or square) of similiar capacity (75 or 90). :o

I would prefer a HOB model as my tank isn't drilled and I haven't decided yet whether or not to add a sump & 'fuge.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance! :-)

[RobertG]

Add a sump or fuge or both you will be happier, at least thats the case for me. Then you have a better selection for the skimmer. My skimmer is a Monster. :-D

[alexwolf]

everyone here is going to pick the Matt monster skimmer. I dont think he makes a HOB though

[captexas]

Your tank doesn't have to be drilled to have a regular skimmer. All you have to do is add a hang-on overflow that drains into a sump and then you can put a regular skimmer there either internally or externally.

[matt]

It's not a valid comparison between my skimmers and the remora and/or prizm. They're totally different types of skimmers, not even remotely similar. If you were looking for a more valid point of comparison between my stuff and that of major manufacturers, you'd have to use models of theirs which are more comparable in size and price to mine. I don't know if red sea makes a skimmer that's even close to as big as my smallest one, but I suppose the comparable aquaC model would be right in the middle between the EV240 and the EV400, and that's for my smallest skimmer. While I appreciate being included in this, I don't think you're going to get any useful information from this poll, except in comparing the two hang on skimmers.

The remora and the prizm are both HOB skimmers powered by small powerheads. IMO, skimmers like this have very limited capacity; I used a prizm on my 10 gal nano and it worked well, but I used a remora (actually urchin) on my 45 breeder and I was not happy with it. For your 46, you might try the "pro" size of either the remora or the prizm. For a 75 or 90, I'd agree with others and advise you to add a sump/refugium and then an in sump or external skimmer. There are lots of those, and most are much more powerful than hang-on skimmers.

Again, thanks for thinking about me, but it's not really fair to the manufacturers to compare their small, under $200 skimmers to my bigger $450 beckett skimmers.

[BA]

i know Red Sea makes a skimmer, the turbo, or XL size is like 36 inches,my friend has one, but if you have the room and money for one of Matt's skimmers DEFINETELY get one