HOB Skimmers?? The best one??

[joeski3]

Since downsizing my tank i have simplified my set up. I am now using an HOB skimmer(Excalibur). I has been producing alot of micro bubbles even though i have a sponge filter for the water to drop into. My bio load is very light and when i first transfered the livestock it did get alot of gunk. Now the water level stays low in it. I keep adjusting (and waiting) no change. The cup has been empty now for 2 weeks +. Any experience or ideas for this skimmer? Any recommendations for another kind of HOB skimmer?

[sjm817]

This is for a 65G? I dont know what your budget is, but a couple of good ones are the Deltec MCE600 and the Tunze 9010. The 9010 is not HOB. Its an in tank skimmer. It is small enough that it doesn't take up a lot of tank space.

[joeski3]

Unfourtunatly my budget isn't that high right now. Unless i found one of those used and cheap i won't get it. I have seen alot of people with the CPR back paks but i have never seen one in action. Anyone else???? Other recommendations?

[pat_man_ta]

I have an AquaC Remora and I just got a CPR AquaFuge PS. So far I like them both.

[cristhiam]

CSS 125, it's good for the money

[kodyboy]

D&D marine typhoon, great little skimmer, awesome for $68 drfosters!

[J. Montgomery]

I've been using the AquaC Remora Pro w/ Rio1400 for the past 6 months. I'm starting to lose favor with it since it doesn't seem to produce very much skimmate compared to what I see everyone getting online. If I could do it again, I'm not sure that I would have bought it.

The idea of getting a Deltec seems more enticing every day, though at the price I'm almost tempted to set up a sump, etc . . .

[luke33]

The aqua c remora pro stinks, i have one, it does what its supose to. Get a D & D typhoon, $70, and take a look at kodyboy's gallery if you don't believe me. The css 125 is decent and cheaper, but the typohoon will get you a cup of dark skimmate daily and consistently.

[davocean]

Coralife is best skimmer for your budget/HO
CSS125 would be good for you.

[joeski3]

Thx for the input everyone. I am going to check into that D&D. It sounds like a decent skimmer. I retired my Lifereef and for now am sumpless. Anyone have other models i should consider?

[luke33]

The D & D is much cheaper and better than the Css 125. $70 vs 125

[joeski3]

I was just checking the D&D out on F&S. $67.99! Question...what about the return? Any micro bubble problems?

[ordy1]

I've used a Top Fathom 110 HOT, on a fish only 55 gallon tank, for about 10 years. It's a Venturi and it's still in use, good as new, and pulling brown sludge....

Ordy

[cristhiam]

Weekly skimate :)
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~pinatas/skim.jpg

[luke33]

Look at Kody's 5g bucket from the weekend with a $68 skimmer, you'll be amazed, i'll fill up half or more of that gallon jug with black skimmate in a week.

[luke33]

Sorry, pics are in his gallery.

christiam, thats nothin to be ashamed of! You should see my 300 dollar remora pro's skimmate in a week : ( makes you feel like less of a man......its selling soon!

[McCrary]

The CSS 220 is always a possibility, if you are going to get a CSS125 you might as well get a little bit bigger one for a little more money. What you must remember is that the skimmers kodyboy and cristhiam are using on their 100g and 125g tanks, respectively, are going to pull out a lot more gunk simply because they have more gunk that can come out. There is going to be a lot more skimmate coming from their tanks then a lightly stocked 65g.