Best HOB skimmers for a <20g tank

[Cwazy Clown]

Hey guys, I'm getting back into the hobby with a small tank of sorts, and I'm now looking for HOB skimmers! Its been 2 years since I was in the hobby and was wondering if there are any better skimmers than the aquac remora for a small tank. Has HOB skimmer tech improved in the last 2 years?

Catch me up guys!

Greatly appreciated,
Bolun

 

[Skimmy]

there's all kinds of hob skimmers that are better than the remora.
the remora is a lame POS.

there's good options from $150 to $300 depending on the size of the system you have.
so what is the tank size??

 

[Cwazy Clown]

well 150$ is well beyond my price range for a skimmer, I'm either planning to go for a 12g cube or a 10g breeder.

 

[Skimmy]

ahh, well then, you could always do the el-cheapo style bakpak...
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-ProPack-Protein-Skimmer-p/43014.htm

then either a maxijet pump or one of these:
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...oduct_Code=CPR-ASP1-1000&Category_Code=Bakpak

then mesh mod that puppy...
it donut get cheaper than that, clown...

and besides, you mentioned the remora, that's a like $175-$225 piece o' crap depending on the "features" you order it with....lol

 

[Cwazy Clown]

now thats more in my price range

I think I've now decided on most of what I'm going to get.
-Mr. Aqua 12" cube (7.5g)
-150watt MH + 28watt t5 actinic
-Some cheap ass skimmer like that. (unless i can find an aquac used for ~50$)
-MJ600/900

Definitely thinking about 2 clowns and a cleaner shrimp and like 10 snails. Going to go sps mainly but with a frogspawn and a clam just like my old tank back in the day... just 5x smaller.. haha!

 

[reefercity]

Why buy a cheap skimmer that is a knock-off made in China that will fall apart in little time. If you want to keep buying skimmers down the road, or don't care for water quality, go for it. You get what you payed for. I would get the real deal CPR Bak-Pak2 or the newer AeroForce (may be overkill). Their products are made in the US and last for years!
http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_Bak_Pak_Protein_Skimmer_Hang_On_Venturi_Protein_Skimmers-CPR-CR1111-FIPSHOVS-vi.html

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I think someone is trying to sell a barely used Eshoppes 75H, very good for the money

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Reefer: well the way I see it is that since I'm purchasing a skimmer that is rated for a much larger tank, even if the skimmer is only performing at say 30% efficiency and the skimmer is rated for 100g that would indicate that I'd still be able to run it for a 30g tank. Plus since Im planning a tiny tank I can deal with inefficiency.

Fishy: it's been a long time since I last talked to you! Haha. Is this skimmer on the equip forum?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53861

 

[Cwazy Clown]

ah, yeah he gave it to his brother. i was thinking that would be a little too big for a tank thats 12" tall...

 

[iroll253]

Im about to run a 100h eshopss on that same cube with a 20g sump and see how it goes just super dry.. untill i can downgrade the skimmer.

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Are you planning to mount it to the back of the cube or the sump?

 

[iroll253]

im gonna hang it on the back of the sump

 

[MrGone]

If you still have a Remora I'd just use that

 

[sullest]

I am using a Coralife super skimmer 65g for my 20 gallon eclipse tank and it is absolutely wonderful, I get about a cup of skimmate every week and the water is crystal clear, but it be horrible for a nano tank because of it's size

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Mrgone: man I wish I still had my remora, I loved that thing, haha.
Sullest: yeah CSS's are tallllllll

I think im gonna go with:
http://cgi.ebay.com/60G-Protein-Ski...ultDomain_0&hash=item19bc59fcbd#ht_1746wt_802

I'm reading on it and people say it works decently for their tanks (most people who have it are using 30+ gallons) and so Im sure it'll be fine for my little 7gallon.

 

[tamarindthai]

cheer!!!Cwazy clown back in reef keeping again,,,welcome back,,welcomback,,talk to you soon buddy.