Need some help choosing skimmer...

[artman230]

I am trying to find a good protein skimmer for a 45 gallon tank that I will be setting up. I was just hoping that some of you might have some recommendations for me. Is it better to get a skimmer that is rated higher say a skimmer rated for a 100 gal tank to get for my 45 gallon tank? is that better to do? I hope this makes sence to anyone I feel I am talking jibberish.....
Thanks

 

[krisfal]

I would recommend reading through these threads, they will help you understand skimmers, how they are rated and what you might need for your tank. While the second thread is about cone skimmers which some claim are the future of skimming, it also talks about the different type of impellers.

Skimmer Discussion Thread

Cone Skimmer Discussion

These threads really helped me understand how to choose a skimmer. HTH

 

[gas4544]

Do you plan to have a sump? That would greatly open up your skimmer options, especially if you have 26+" of height available in your stand.

If not, there are a few nice hang-on skimmers to consider.

 

[g0rFz]

it is good to have one rated for more that your gallons, mine is nearly 2x ... now a sump is almost a must for a saltwater tank and it will depend a lot on what you plan on having in there...

the biggest factor though is price

 

[luke33]

We need to know if its in sump or hot and your budget ofcourse : )

 

[artman230]

most likely i am looking for a H.O.T. skimmer and will probably not be using a sump at least not right away

 

[luke33]

I'd check out the warner marine hot's. They seem like nice skimmers.

 

[artman230]

where would I find those?

 

[luke33]

Here's the two wm has. I'd go with the larger one as its not that much more and its twice the skimmer.

http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=701

 

[Al G.]

If you're buying the larger of the 2 WMs, make sure it's the newer WM HX2, with the wider neck and bubble plate. I think it also cost more($329.99) than the original H2(299.99).

 

[artman230]

now whats the difference between these WM's and say the cpr backpack skimmers....because to me they look similar.

 

[Al G.]

WMs use a pinwheel to make bubbles. Bakpaks use just the venturi to make the bubbles.
The pinwheel will make finer bubbles and more bubbles than just the venturi alone, increasing skimmate production.

However, you can meshmod the MJ pump on the Bakpak. I don't know how this stacks up against the WM H1 and HX2.

meshwheel>pinwheel>needlewheel>plain venturi

 

[Myteemouse]

I'm gonna be running a 180 gallon total system (three tanks and sump)
I need a GOOD skimmer that will fit under a 40" tall stand (in sump) 12"deep
that doesn't pull alot of power but will more than do the job!!
around $800???!?!? Anyone?

 

[luke33]

Check out the octo pro 300. They use askoll 1500 pumps and are around 700bux. Very nice skimmers, but you'll need to run it in 6" water.

 

[artman230]

ok well i seem to have a little better understanding but not by much I guess waht it really comes down to is that you get what you pay for so that im mind ill keep lookink but any more suggestions would be great...anyone out there know much about the typhoon hang on tank skimmers? they are rated at 110 gals and are reasonably cheap...plus the collection cup has a built in drain too...I found them on fosters and smith.com

 

[luke33]

And the sedra 5000 is superior to the mj in every way possible for skimmer use.

 

[luke33]

I played with the typhoon. I would pass as they will overflow easily and are a pita to use. I turned one into a nw skimmer and it worked ok, but i'd still pass.

 

[artman230]

has anyone ever tried out the fission skimmers? I was wondering how those work

 

[artman230]

also wanted to know what people think about the reef octopus skimmers, any good?

 

[luke33]

The fission is about as good as blowing air through a straw, there junk.

Depends on which octo your talking about. The 100h, 100f, 300h, 300f all use janky pump's but work ok. The one's with external pump's using the otp1000 and otp2000 are not a good thing as they will overflow if you set them up incorrectly or even if power goes out there's a chance. The 800i with the sicce has WAAAAAYYY to small of neck so it will just overflow. There's so many crap hot skimmer designs out there you'd think someone would make a decent one already........one that doesn't cost a ton.