Best protein skimmer for under $150

[Sabunim]

I'm looking for a venturi skimmer for under $150 bucks for a 75 reef that I'm building and can't decide between:

SeaClone Protein Skimmer

Prizm Skimmers

Terminator II Protein Skimmer

Typhoon Hang-On Skimmer

Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer

I understand the importance of a good skimmer, but my checkbook dosn't.

Thanks in advance.

[shuturhole316tx]

Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer or Prizm Skimmers

these are the two that I would say. Are you setting up a sump or dose it have to be hang on? If you are setting up a sump I would look into ASM, they are a bit more but a lot better. Lastly I would say to wait a week or two untill you can aford the one that you need and wont. I bought a SeaClone Protein Skimmer because of the price but ended up costing a lot more as I had to upgrade. This is not the hobby for just buying somthing now because it is cheep. Good luck

[Thinslis]

I'd nix the Prizm Skimmer, I had one and replaced it quickly.

[bpd964]

I would say an Octopus Needlewheel 150.. Way better than anything you have listed there for the price..

[Thinslis]

I would go with a Remora AquaC

[Sabunim]

I can't decide yet as to a hangon or a sump version. I'm moving into our new house next Monday and will decide how much room I have. I'm thinking of turning my old sump into a refugium so I can seperate the lighting so under cabnit would make the whole system look cleaner as there won't be a thousan wires and pums sticking out of the aquarium. There I can also monitor stuff alot better. Unless the best skimmers are hangon then I can change my mind. Just looking for the cheapest way to get back into the hobby(lifestyle) with what I have now.

[tpenn187]

i was in the same delima and was recomended the octopus nw-150. it is operating great for me. from the threads that i have read about hang on skimmers, most people dont like them, i am sure that there are some exeptions. if you have the option to go to a sump version you will be much happier.

[Thinslis]

The best skimmers are not HOB but if you don't have the room for a sump version you can pickup a Remora on the used equipment forum for under $100

[[17]shawn[17]]

i would go with this
http://www.mopsdirect.us/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/us-skus/PSAS-G.html?L+us+kgjk1509ff29d929+1187540650

[Nano Chris]

The Coralife one works well for the price.

[ReefingBuddha]

HOB is usually not worth it and a sump is always a better option to have if there is room and money available.

I had a prizm for about 5 minutes and HATED it. I gave it to a friend and he hates it to, have to constantly adjust it and doesn't really work well at all.

So I got my self a sump and a ASM g4 skimmer. As mentioned before. a little more expensive but if I had bought a ASM before the prizm I would have saved myself the money of the crappy prizm. Plus a skimmer is pretty important, don't want to skimp on that piece of equipment, well worth the investment.

For huge savings look for second hand at some of your LFS. Also look out for DIY options. A skimmer isn't especially hard to make.

[sheepdog43]

Take a look at the AquaTraders PS160.
May need a mesh mod depending on your load (easy to do), but should do quite well for you.

Also it can be configured as HOB or sump (comes with all you need).

It is so cheap that if you decide to upgrade it later, it will not be a ton of money wasted either and there is also a whole thread on making these things better.

It is at least as good as half of those on that list in stock form.

[Noobie99]

Get ya an AquaEuro skimmer. The classic 135 runs about 140 bucks on www.reefnut.com
I love mine pulls alot of ickiness from the tank, very low maintenance and works great out of box, which is good since I'm new at this and when people start talking mods...i get an image of the mushroom shaped cloud exploding from where my house now stands.

[SaltyDr]

Get an in sump skimmer. I love my Euroreef which cost $180 new with free shipping from Marine Depot. Look for a used skimmer either on Craig's list or on the used goods forum here.