Cracked Protein Skimmer! Pls help me evaluate new one!

[earthboy17]

Hey everyone.

When I started my tank I bought a bunch of stuff from a local fish guy. He was real nice, helped me get started, took a ton of time answering a bunch of (noob) questions.

I connected with him over Craigslist. He sold me a Penguin 350, a Fluval 204, and a Odyssea Protein Skimmer (75) for a grand total of $32. Real nice guy.

Anyway, I cut my tank to fit the protein skimmer, but I later got a tiny crack around the intake. So it's got a minor but continual leak. My LFS is selling the same one for $99. I found one online for $29.90. Seems like a great deal!

(here's the link) Odyssea PS75 Protein Skimmer (http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=245)

But here's the problem I have. I know that the answer to "What kind of protein skimmer should I get?" is "The best one you can afford." And I know this is a cheap one, but it IS rated for 75 gallons (I have a 55), it IS affordable, and it IS custom cut to hang on the back of my tank (I don't have a sump, but I do have a small refugium, if that makes any difference.)

So do I pick up another one of these? Do I get a more expensive one (assuming that more expensive = better)?

I doubt that any other model would fit the custom holes I've cut for this skimmer.

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

Tom

[NeveSSL]

When you say you've cut custom holes, do you mean in the glass?

Brandon

[earthboy17]

Nay, the tank is acrylic. It's 36" long, 16" wide, and 20" tall. Across the top it has acrylic also, originally forming a big figure 8, with two large openings.

I used a drill and then a saw to cut holes for my canister filter input/output, I enlarged the hole in the back for the Penguin 350, I cut holes in the corners for cords and stuff, and I cut specific holes for the protein filter's input/output, and for the little arm that holds it onto the tank.

Thanks for asking for clarification.

Tom

[NeveSSL]

Ahhh... I see.

Well, I can't make a super educated guess, so I'll just make a normal educated guess. :D

I would say that if you don't want to mess with getting another one, just get another one you have. The great thing about those skimmers is that there are probably a TON of mods to make them pretty decent. Maybe not absolutely amazing, but more than capable of getting the job done.

Personally, I think I'd rather spend time trying to mod a cheap skimmer than cutting on a rather expensive tank. :)

Just my $0.02.

BTW, I think thats the first time I've seen the word "nay" on this forum... :lol:

Brandon

[earthboy17]

Ha ha, thanks. I was watching an old SNL today that was hosted by Matthew Fox and had Tenacious D as the band.

That reminded me of their song Tribute where the demon asks, "Be you angels?" and they reply "Nay! We are but men! (Rock!)"...anyway, good times.

One thing I forgot to add that I probably should is in regard to my water flow. I have two Maxi-Jet 1200s (295 gph x2), one Maxi-Jet 900 (230 gph), and a Maxi-Jet 400 (106 gph).

I also have the Penguin 350 pumping, the Flu-Val 204 running, and my refugium pumping (no idea how much...maybe 150gph?).

So all that together is 906 gph plus whatever the other three contribute. So I'm somewhere around 20x flow, maybe a bit higher.

Thanks.

[earthboy17]

Anyone else have any input on this topic? Thanks.