I'm sure it's been covered but...protein skimmers

[jtrux]

I picked up an Oceanic 50gallon a couple weeks ago and I need some advice on which protein skimmer I should use. I've been told that the Sea Clone skimmer (not sure on model number) wold be okay or one of the Coral life brand ones but I've also been told that you should get the best one possible, maybe Deltec or Euro. I want to get the tank going first and then save up for a good one and add it later once I get some fish or something. Initially I want a fish tank but would like to build up to some corals, what do you guys think?

[Darth-Tater]

I just bought a sea Octopuss fro AD here in S.A. It was resonable and works like a chimp I mean champ.

Tater

[demodiki]

I would get an RS-80. Take it from someone who has skimped over the years on both skimmers and RO/DI machines...get the best you can afford now or you will pay later.

[caferacermike]

I really liked my Euroreef RS-80. Would be a great skimmer for a smaller tank. From what I've read it would be a lot less headache than the CSS. The Octopus skimmers are looking nicer and nicer, but you could still find a clean used RS-80 cheaper.

[erikharrison]

Aqua C Remora. Probably the best/inexpensive for that sized tank other than a Euro or Deltec. I wouldn't use a coralife unless it is in a sump because of the microbubble issue. If you research the CSS65, you will see that there is a large scale problem with microbubbles when used without a sump.

[mhaynes01]

I use an ASM G3, which is a knock off of euro reef skimmers. but still does a great job. /as my signature says, I have a 58 gallon, so same size. I do second buy the best you can with what funds you have, because the skimmer i have now was the 3rd one i bought!

[tony]

If you research the CSS65, you will see that there is a large scale problem with microbubbles when used without a sump.


i had a css65 and microbubbles were the very least of the problems with it (i actually never had an microbubbles with mine)

another vote for euroreef or ASM

[cowboy572]

I am a newbie here and I have a 55gal with a pro-acrylic 75 that has a built in protein skimmer. I just recently purchased a 100gal I am in the slow process of setting up. So any light you can shed on protein skimmers will geatly be appreicated. I understand the purpose, wondering which ones are good, which ones work, and which ones to stay away from.

[brewercm]

Just a question to help narrow down what you are being given as far as info here (which has all been good so far, I also own an ASM). Are you planning on putting the skimmer in a sump or are you going to be using hang on?

[cowboy572]

Havent decided yet, what are the pros and cons of either???

[tony]

it will be hard to get a HOB to work well on a 100g

a sump will give you more volume and most likely more turnover

[brewercm]

I agree with Tony. On a tank that size you'd probably need a really high end skimmer like Deltec to get close to what you'd need to really work well. Skimmers are notoriously over rated on what they should really be used on.

[erikharrison]

Cliff is spot on. You want to basically judge by your bioload. Messy fish/Lots of fish or a combination of both? You would be wise, cranking out some well spent cash on a GOOD SKIMMER. Never skimp on them, you will spend three times the amount and have approx. 1 zillion times more headache with a cheapie. There are a slim few things that you can skimp on, but lights and filtration are not them. :) Well, unless you are doing DIY moonlights....

[jtrux]

Just a question to help narrow down what you are being given as far as info here (which has all been good so far, I also own an ASM). Are you planning on putting the skimmer in a sump or are you going to be using hang on?



Sump.

[cowboy572]

I plan on running a sump, but I dont know what to run. I want to turn my 55gal into my sump but I am afraid of having to much surface area and getting evaporation. So I guess my next question is where can I find them or who builds them for a reasonable price. Cause this brings up another question, is a sump the way to go, or sticking with a wet/dry system the way to go. I know theres no wrong way or right way to do something but I want opinions in this matter. Where can I get more info on sumps and what do you put in each section to clarify water.

[BIGBIRD123]

I highly recommend the Euro-reef, as I have one running on my 135g but also like the Reef Octopus that I have on my wife's 110g. The Reef Octopus is an affordable good skimmer and with the small footprint it works well in sump. We will have another skimmer in the Feb meeting raffle...a Reef Octopus 210g skimmer.

HTH
Steve

[erikharrison]

For info on sumps check here (http://www.melevsreef.com).

For info on how to make your own baffles easily check here (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/baffles.htm).

Also, evaporation is good. it keeps your tank running cool... I have a temp gauge on my display and my sump. Fans will come into play at some point during your reefkeeping experience. If you want clear water, run carbon and a UV sterilizer. The UV will prevent some algae growth and will also help as a preventative against parasites. You can cheaply turn your 55 into a sump, I recommend that you have a fuge area with a deep sand bed (DSB). Alot of GREAT info can be found at www.wetwebmedia.com (http://www.wetwebmedia.com) as well. Have fun, and prepare for a good learning curve. I also recommend This article if you are new! (http://www.nvreefers.org/community/articles/new_to_salt.php?PHPSESSID=2097a6929f4f1f33f5477993 4d1344d1)

[emac]

i've been really happy with aqua c lately
i just set up one of there in sump models, and it works really well.

[kkutac001]

Heya. Let me reiterate what erikharrison stated above. Don't get a Seaclone or other cheap/worse skimmer. I had one, and bitterly regretted having spent even one red cent on it. Definitely use that money to go towards a good skimmer.

[caferacermike]

I know of a certain reefer here that had nothing but over flow problems with his AquaC and could not wait to trade it for a Deltec. I set up a tank for another individual that had a huge AquaC in his sump, never could get it to produce waste, it to would suddenly suck the sump dry and dump pure tank water into his overflow. Personal experience? I had an AquaC Remora with the larger MJ upgrade and overflow box, it sucked. It would never produce much waste if the foam tower showed even the slightest amount of gunk in there.

One of the major drawbacks to HOT skimmers is that when water evaporates (as it does everyday) it effects the performance of the skimmer. Let me give an example. Most skimmers have an "ideal" water depth for performance. If your HOT skimmer is working well and you drop about 1-2" in the display you change all the specs for the skimmer and performance may drop. There are equations about atmospheric pressures working inside the chambers and if the water is to low or to high those pressures are different. This is one example of how simple things can change the performance. Another item is that when salt and water combine they have a certain density, we measure this as SPG (specific gravity). As water evaps the density of the water increases, your skimmer will be affected by this. At least when the water is evaporating the change is very slow so the skimmer does not go crazy. Sooner or later you will need to add make up water to the system. If a 100g tank drops about 1" that could easily be 5g of water. Trust me it's a lot more than you think. Let's say you were busy this week and the tank dropped 2". You've only got a free minute so you grab your water jugs and add 5-10g of water. Well you've just unlocked the ionic bond between the salt and water, quickly lowering the density. This is when HOT skimmers freak out and dump water all over the floor. Not to forget the first time you add a 2 part epoxy to mount a frag, your skimmer will go nuts for about 2 days from the chemicals it releases. On an HOT there is only one place for that water to go, on the floor.

There are so many more benefits to running a sump. Most important is that unlike most HOT skimmers, you will be pulling the very top skin of the water into the sump. This water contains the oils, fats, and proteins that skimmers pull from the water. Most HOT's pull water from the middle of the tank where the real waste is not hanging out. You will get massive amounts of oxygenation which can allow you to keep more inhabitants. You will vent off waste gases like Ammonia and nitrites as the water falls to the sump. The O2 molecules will purge the waste gases to atmosphere and take their place. As was mentioned, the more evap you get the cooler the system. As systems heat up they purge themselves of O2 as the water molecules expand, well adding a sump to the system helps prevent this and/or replace the lost O2. A sump will allow you the option of adding a refugium to organically break down wastes and/or allow the addition of a frag grow out area that is not visible. You will be able to add on many other systems such as kalk reactors, CA reactors, phosban updraft type reactors, simple supplement dosing such as B-Ionic, easy places to keep your meters running such as PH probes and temp probes...... The list goes on and on.

[RayAllen]

I like Darth tater bought a Octopus Skimmer from AQ and this thing skims like crazy! No problems at all

[brewercm]

Agree totally with what Caferacermike stated in his second paragraph about skimming the surface of your water where most of the proteins end up.

[Paul28]

Has anyone heard anything on the new Xtreme Skimmers yet by SWC ive been thinking of getting 1


http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/Protein-Skimmers-Xtreme-Skimmers---Coming-Soon!/c22_48/index.html

[brewercm]

Looks like a knock off of Bubble King with a different pump. I'd research the pump and see what feedback you can find on it.

[erikharrison]

It uses the same pump as the Bubble Kings do! GREAT find Paul!

[caferacermike]

That is kinda hot and a great price. Looks to me to be an ASM knock off (which in themselves are Euroreef knockoffs.) with an added plate. I'd really like to see it in operation before claiming it to be better than sliced bread. I bet it'd work as well as any ER or ASM and at a great price.