Protein Skimmer(s) options

[Don Z]

I'm looking for a HOB Protein Skimmer(s) options for my 135g tank. Not looking for opinions mind you on the different brands.....Just spent 5 hrs. reading through various skimmer threads and I think there's just as many opinions here as members...lol

I'm really looking for the specific Brand and model options you think would suffice for my tank and will research the forum opinions and suppliers further from that point. Want to make sure I didn't miss any options.

I've identified so far: Coralife Super Skimmers, AquaC Remora Pro, Octopus BHF300, Seaclone CD-1179, Red Sea Prizm Pro. Any other HOB skimmer options out there I'm not aware about?

Not that I'm leaning towards a AquaC pro just yet but the Pro is only rated to 120g and I've read so much about typically doubling the manufacture rating. Is is feasible/practical to run two skimmers on a single tank to bring the total skimming capacity up? That may give me additional options also.

This is going to be a FOWLR tank, not a full blown SPS, LPS tank if it matters.

Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong forum. Being a noob I thought this one was appropriate vs. the lighting, filtration, and other equipment forum. I'm sure a mod will move it if I was wrong...:)

Thanks everyone.

[Deb91]

For such a big tank I would not go with a hob skimmer myself.Can I ask why you want to go that route?

[sherm71tank]

Bermuda makes good HOB skimmer.

http://www.bermudaaquatics.com/bpshobby.htm

Please do not buy a Remora skimmer. It's junk.

[sgarron]

I had a Remora pro on a 65 and it did a very good job. With a 135 I would definitely go wit an in sump skimmer. If you just can't, than thebermuda is pretty good or look at this one.

http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/mce600.php

I don't think any hob skimmer would compare to a good in sump skimmer.

[bertoni]

I don't know much about the Octopus skimmers, but the others in your list would be lacking for a 135g tank, in my opinion. The Deltec HOB skimmers get very good reviews, but are very expensive.

[Don Z]

Deb91 - Thanks for responding. My tank is not drilled or reef ready. I'm trying to keep this simple and not use overflows (flooding potential, noise, etc.), sump, return pump and all the extra plumbing and valves, etc. If I can accomplish this effectively with an HOB(s) great, if not back to the drawing board with a sump design and try to make it as bullet proof as possible. That's why I'm exploring the HOB skimmer options now

I'm leaning towards a DSB and LR (TBS) for primary filtration. Researching on TBS's website they state a sump isn't necessary when set up properly. I thought one or two HOB skimmers would be simpler than a sump set up, all self contained if you will. I haven't totally ruled a sump out just yet, exploring options.
I do know I can fit a 40L under the stand if need be and should be able to make/design a somewhat effective sump if necessary.

Sherm71tank - Thanks for the info haven't even heard of Bermuda before now.

[sherm71tank]

You're welcome. FWIW I had a Remora Pro several years ago and while it seemed to do a good job at first it quickly went down hill. There are much better choices out there now.

[matt880305]

ok i said the same thing when i started my 75 didnt want to do a sump what so ever so i got a cpr bak pac mag 350 etc. THE WORST IDEA EVER protein skimmed sucked seemed like water was never going to stop cycling trust it seems like it is hard to build a sump but it isnt it took me a day to make a sump and i got my skimmer the next day and had it up and running that day. trust me a sump is the way to go.... i wish i would have never of wasted my time/money on that other crap

[sgarron]

You really should seriously consider a sump. Lifereef makes overflows that are pretty fool proof. They don't lose syphon and don't require an aqualifter. Not only will you have much better skimmer choices but you also get to hide all your equipment, heaters, probes etc. in the sump. Maybe even a refugium which imo is one the most important parts of a reef tank set up. My zero nitrates are because of my refugium where my chaeto doubles every two weeks or so.

[sherm71tank]

^ Agreed. A sump makes life alot easier!

[matt880305]

and like i said it might look hard to set a sump up but it isnt took me a total of 2 days

[Don Z]

Now you guys/gals really have me thinking about a sump. I stand corrected on fitting in a 40L in. I measured it again just to make sure and I can't fit through any opening (top, side, back, etc.), and this even if I knock out a finished panel temporarily. I'm about 1.5" to narrow.

bertoni, sgarron - that Deltec is looking better and better thanks for the info...lol

I'm going to also look at building a custom rectangular "box" that I can slide in from the top for a sump and possibly tailor the design after Melev's "F" Sump design.

Thanks for the info..

[sgarron]

What are the dimensions inside your stand?

[Deb91]

Don, I was reading up on that deltec hob skimmer and they said it was [profanity]. They even have their own forum here on R.C. I hope you can say [profanity] on here but thats how a couple members described it lol!!Good luck on whatever you decide! :)

[Don Z]

sgarron - The inside is about 69.5" long and 16" wide wall to wall (front to back). The stand has two swing out doors in front in which the openings are 26"H and 19.25" W. No way I can negotiate a 40L in thru the doors. If I remove the tank and go thru the top the width at the top between the bracing is 13.75". The tank itself is 72x18x24. The top of the stand only has one middle brace running front to back at the top so I have about a 32"Lx13.75Wx26"H "hole" to slide something down into.

Darn, I just rechecked the measurements on a typical 40L (on the web as I don't have one) and they show to be 48.25"Lx12.75"Wx16.85"H. I might be able to do a 40L. I think I may have previously mixed up the height with the width measurements. I thought I was 7/8" too narrow.

Deb91 - I know what you're saying and only 20watts too. Advancedaquarist had a good product review and I also read Deltec's operating manual. Like you and most other reviews say "kick a@@"....lol If I do go the HOB route I think this will be the one but I maybe on the edge of capacity for it, especially if I do end up inadvertently overstocking. But no one does that right..:)

So approx. $560 with accessories for the MCE600 vs. a sump/fuge solution which if properly sized and designed should give me more stocking capacity also...sheesh!! decisions, decisions...:rolleyes: Looks like it's back to researching the forums now as I know nothing about insump skimmer options.:o

[matt880305]

you could start with asm or a reef octo, euro reef, e.t.s.s,and Precision Marine. those are all good skimmers to start looking at for in sump here ill give you a link were you can get them all.
http://www.aquacave.com/ProteinSkimmers.aspx
hope that helps
Matt

[sgarron]

You'll be better off with the sump set up. Everything looks much cleaner with all the equipment out of the tank. But, if you do go with the Deltec hob chech out the for sale forum here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2

and the Deltec forum here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=337

You can usually get a pretty good deal on a used 600. People sell them when they decide to go sump.

[Saltwater_Dog]

I have an octopus HOB on my 100 and it works great. It is a grear skimmer. Has been on my tank for three years now.

[sgarron]

Don, you could fit an acrylic 45 or even 55 in that stand. Glasscages actually ships tanks that size. Think they are 105 for the 45 and 145 for the 55. And for a few bucks they will convert it to a sump for you. Their design or yours.

[Don Z]

sgarron - you're right!! The 45 is 17" tall and the 55 is 21" tall and both would fit width wise.

Most of the skimmers mentioned here which I've been looking at are 22-24" tall. Think I would have enough height clearance to do the necessary maintenance on these skimmers with only 26" of total head room in the stand with one in the sump? The Euro RS-180 is 24" tall, Precision Bullet 2 is 24", ETSS Sumpbudy 60 is 24", ASM G2 is 21.25", Octopus PS-200 is 24", Deltec AP600, etc. I've also been reading about water height in the sump and sometimes needing to set the skimmer on a platform to raise the water level for adjustments and I'd really be limited here. Not even sure I could get one in and out of the sump using the 55 with it being 21" high and only leaving 5" of headroom.

Think I'd be better off with an external skimmer (non-sump) for ease of maintenance? LOL - then I could definitely use the 55 and have the bigger sump/refuge. See how this hobby can snowball...:)

Sorry for all the questions, skimmers (including maintenance and clearances) are new to me and I want to set this up right the first time with no regrets.

[sgarron]

If you go in sump go with the 45 because of the height issues. All of those skimmers require 1" or less to remove the cup so that won't be a problem. As far as the water level just get a recirculating skimmer and the level doesn't matter. If you're considering an external skimmer you'll have to go recirc anyway. Recirc skimmers are more money of course. Also the G2 is too small, G3 minimum for your tank. Always go with a skimmer rated twice your tank size, unless you go with the high end skimmers they are usually pretty close to what they claim. (Deltec, Bubble King, H&S, etc).

Snowball? You have no idea...LOL. I started with a 65 gallon tank and a canister filter just a year ago.

Definitely do it right the first time, it will save you tons of money in the long run.

[jbupland]

i just got a typhoon my tank is not too much smaller than yours and it seems to work verry well i dont know about anyother skimmers though but this one only cost about 100.00 and it does good

[sgarron]

Another thing, if you go wit an in sump skimmer and are worried about optimum water level just find out the best level for that particular skimmer and make your first baffle that height. The water level in the skimmer section should remain pretty consistent.

I'm no skimmer expert, but I have read and learned alot right here on reefcentral. I've also learned a bit from the 3 skimmers I have bought, used and then sold.