Protein Skimmer

[fitnessmom769]

I bought a cheapy protein skimmer from ebay when I first started my tank in August. I think I've gotten my $30 worth of use out of it...haha! Someone please tell me a good brand name skimmer to buy.

[cpreefguy]

Euro Reef
Deltec
ASM

[brewercm]

Are you looking for in sump or out of sump use?
The ones cpreefguy mentioned are great in sump skimmers.

[fitnessmom769]

My skimmer is in the sump

[brewercm]

Should have asked size of tank but you can figure that out once you decide the brand you'd like to get.
Another that falls into the same category as the above is the Turbo Floater. All of these are needle wheel skimmers that tend to use smaller wattage pumps, and they are probably the top ones in their style while there are others out there. IMO the Deltec is a great skimmer but very pricey.

Many people also like the beckett skimmer, these are usually plumbed outside the sump and returned back. The down side to these are that they require large pressure rated pumps to run them efficiently.

Check out the skimmers on premiumaquatics (I only use them because they have a lot) and see what you like and ask away on any of them.

[abe77901]

My Euroreef ES-5-3 is AWESOME. Is is and in sump, I made the gate valve mod and it pulls an average of a cup and a half a week of skimmate....just my opinion....

[LoneStar]

Euro Reef
Deltec
ASM

don't forget

H & S

[thedude]

How big a tank are you trying to find a skimmer for?

[5.0Stang]

i got a super skimmer 125 i got it from fintuque they said they werent stockin them anymore i love it

[caferacermike]

Euroreef for simplicity.

[stoneroller]

I am also in skimmer research mode for my 72g RR bow. Premium Aquatics has the EUROREEF RS080-PROMO (extruded acrylic cylinder) for $178.95 versus the RS080 (cell cast) at $221. Good deal or should the extruded be avoided?

[stephencraig]

I've got a RS 180 (for about 2 months now) and have really like it. I think its the extruded as well.

[LoneStar]

I am also in skimmer research mode for my 72g RR bow. Premium Aquatics has the EUROREEF RS080-PROMO (extruded acrylic cylinder) for $178.95 versus the RS080 (cell cast) at $221. Good deal or should the extruded be avoided?

For that size of tank, either skimmer would work effeciently. Anything larger than a 75g I would personally think you would need a larger skimmer... But for the debate on extruded vs. cast on that Euroreef model, I think it comes down to personal preference. Either you don't mind paying the extra amout for a 'higher quality' acrylic material or you can say like the rest of us it really does not matter on extruded vs. cast (albeit you have a application without forces causing stress that would create a structural problem >_< )

[brewercm]

Not to mention that these are in sump skimmers and you really aren't putting that much stress on them like a beckett skimmer with a high pressure rated pump.

[matt]

Not to mention that these are in sump skimmers and you really aren't putting that much stress on them like a beckett skimmer with a high pressure rated pump.

The fact that they're in sump is important, because if anything happens it's not a disaster. But it's not the pressure pump that puts stress on a beckett skmmer, it's just the overall size; any skimmer holding 10-15 gallons of water in a tall tube is going to have more pressure on the joints than a smaller skimmer. And, there's different grades of cast and extruded acrylic. Not too long ago there was a lengthy thread on RC about the fact that Deltec uses extruded acrylic; pretty funny for a skimmer that costs thousands, but apparently it's some kind of high-grade european plastic that's much stronger than typical American extruded.

There's also cheap cast acrylic, which IMO is considerably worse to use on skimmers than good quality extruded, because the specific gravity of the plastic varies so much it afffects the way it solvent welds.

Premium aquatics is a quality place and I'm sure if anything goes wrong with the skimmer they'll take care of it. $175 is less than I'd spend in materials to make a small needlewheel skimmer with pump, so the price is right.