Hob Skimmer suggestion

[evil4g63]

What's the best skimmer for a 30 gallon oceanic that will house mainly lps
and softies with a few sps. It needs to be lower than $300. That's all I got
to spend right now on a skimmer.

[mr9iron]

What's the best skimmer for a 30 gallon oceanic that will house mainly lps
and softies with a few sps. It needs to be lower than $300. That's all I got
to spend right now on a skimmer.

Well there are several on the market right now and opinions will vary. You may look at the new Super Reef Octopus LX1000 or the EuroReef nano skimmers or possibly even the Warner Marine H1 or H2. For me it's a toss up between the SRO and the Warner Marine.

[evil4g63]

Ok. How about the other octopus hob? Are they any good? I have that to spend but if I can save some for something else would be perfect. Also, I want the pump to be outside the tank. I thought about the lx1000 but I'm not digging the red color. If it was black I would give it some serious
thought.

[evil4g63]

Bump

[Chiefsurfer]

check out the eshopps. I have their psk75H on my 20 tall, and LOVE IT!!!!. The pump is outside the tank, and it pulls like nobody's business.

I have heard similar praises for the ReefOctopus.

[evil4g63]

do you have microbubbles on the tank? are you running it with the sponge on the output? i was considering the psk100 but that sponge on the inside of the tank just doesn't look pretty. could it be removed and don't have any problem with micros? I was really interested in the octos but I've been researching a lot and it seems they like to overflow a lot. is this true? I was considering the wm h1, psk100 and the octo bh2000. any suggestions?

[Chiefsurfer]

WMH1, as I have stated in other posts, as there seems to be a lot of interest lately, is HUGE. It probably holds 5-6 gallons of water by itself. Other than that, seems like a great skimmer.

I do run the sponge, and even had to go to a larger one than the one they supplied. The one that comes with seemed to get pretty easily clogged, leading to overflows. I got a larger sponge, like for a pond-filter, and it never clogs, overflows or anything. It is a little unsightly, but mine's partly hidden behind rocks. I did run mine for 3-4 days without it, mainly because I washed it in bleach without any clorine-remover, so I had to let it dry. Although I did not have enough courage to leave it off entirely, it seemed to have little to NO bubbles after 3-4 days of running w/o the sponge.

Never heard of the octopus overflowing, but have heard good things. Out of those, if you have the space, I would go with the warner marine. BUT, be aware of the size. Before I have suggested cutting a piece of paper/cardboard and just seeing how big it really is. The one I saw, was huge.

[evil4g63]

Ok. Wm it is then. It says it's for 40 gallons. Is this underrated or will it be to small for the system? It looks a lot better than other skimmers but it's rated for a lot less. Is this right?

[Sinful Aquatics]

I have the remora and I like it

[evil4g63]

Thanks but I want the pump to be outside the tank.

[nanoreefchrisv2]

My remora on my 29g is AWESOME. People sometimes bash it because they are high and mighty acting.. but it truly is a good skimmer. It makes a little noise but its nothing you cant get used to. You can even go to a remora pro which uses a Mag drive pump.. if say you have an all SPS tank and dont do water changes every week.

[nanoreefchrisv2]

Thanks but I want the pump to be outside the tank.

well then thats a lot harder to answer.. lol

[MikeandNicole]

I know you want the pump to be outside the tank, but if you change your mind I will also vouch for the AquaC Remora. I have the same tank (30g cube) and I run that with a HOB fuge and have nothing but good things to say about it. You can always buy the skimmer box that goes around the pump if you are worried about things getting pulled into it.

[Chiefsurfer]

I'd say the warner marine is one of the most accurately rated skimmers, as with the eshopps 75, I would never use it on anything over a 40, I would bump up to the 100, and never use the 100 on anything more than a 55-75 gallon tank. I don't believe there will be a LOT of first-hand experience with the Warner Marines, as I think they are relatively new, and have just very recently become pretty popular.

[evil4g63]

I'd say the warner marine is one of the most accurately rated skimmers, as with the eshopps 75, I would never use it on anything over a 40, I would bump up to the 100, and never use the 100 on anything more than a 55-75 gallon tank. I don't believe there will be a LOT of first-hand experience with the Warner Marines, as I think they are relatively new, and have just very recently become pretty popular.

do you think they can skim an sps dominant tank with 5-6 fish in there?

[tprize]

I know you mentioned HOB, but I was so happy with my Tunze Internal nano skimmer that I have to suggest it. For one thing it's black so it blends right in, and for your $300 I believe you can get the nano reef pack which will also give you a place for carbon phos etc.. and it works as a surface skimmer to suck all that junk off the top. p.s. 0 bubbles from mine and customer service is incredible.

[evil4g63]

Are there anymore I should be considering?

[evil4g63]

Well, guess I made my mind. Just ordered a WM h1 gen 2 skimmer for an amazing price and it's new. Will take pics as soon as it gets here.

[mr9iron]

Well, guess I made my mind. Just ordered a WM h1 gen 2 skimmer for an amazing price and it's new. Will take pics as soon as it gets here.

+1

I ordered one today as well along with a Sybon refractometer. I will try and document the setup of the H1 in another thread.

[wastememphis]

Read some reviews of the deltec HOB... MCE 300 or 600... I have the 300 but haven't set it up yet, if u can find a used 600 it would skim with any load you put in there. Similar to the warner marine skimmer design too.

[mr9iron]

Read some reviews of the deltec HOB... MCE 300 or 600... I have the 300 but haven't set it up yet, if u can find a used 600 it would skim with any load you put in there. Similar to the warner marine skimmer design too.

I looked at the MCE600 but couldn't part with the $600 for it.

[evil4g63]

I looked at the MCE600 but couldn't part with the $600 for it.

Yeah, $600 for a HOB skimmer is to much and finding one used is not easy. I'd be better off just getting a sump and end up spending less for something that's better. The octopus guys say the bh100f is better than the deltec MCE300 but I think the H1 is better designed than the octopus. Will see what happens when is up and running.

[nattarbox]

I'd be interested in hearing from a Warner Marine owner what the sound levels are like on that skimmer. My Tunze Nano is quieter than the exhaust fan on my light fixture, you'd never even know it was running. Important when your tank is in the living room.

But I think I could use more skimming capacity, it is certainly not the most powerful skimmer out there. Warner Marine has a good price and looks powerful.

[nattarbox]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mes2y8rhy34

Sounds pretty loud. Getting some Coralife Skimmer flashbacks. ;0

[evil4g63]

As soon as it gets here I'll put it to work on my tank with the vinegar bath and let everyone know the sound level and my first impressions.

[nattarbox]

Watching the video for a second time, it might just seem loud because the guy has his camera and mic right up next to it.

[evil4g63]

Might be, because I thought it was pretty silent. But will see. It's going in the living room so it has to be silent or is bye bye for him.