Is this an Ok Protein Skimmers?

[frazin78]

Well after doing alot of reading on this board, I think that I determined that my protein skimmer may not being doing it's work. I would like to know besides the branding of the skimmer if a person has a good working skimmer? and if so which type is the most effective.

I included a picture of what I have set up on my tank. I have a 1.5 inch air stone powered by a Tetratec Deep DV 12. I purchased this skimmer at Big Al's Aquarium Services.

The water is being pumped into my skimmer directly from my Eheim canister filter. It has a flow rate of 115 Gph.

I have a Powerhead 201 feeding my biowheel. ( I think that biowheel will be removed) That is the only filtration I have. I have a total of 240 GPH.

Thanks

Jc

[Stephen]

The skimmer I use is an excaliber. That's about all I can tell you about the brand name of it besides it's dimensions and that it's placed in the first chamber of my wet/dry filter. It has it's own water pump attached to the side and a length or airline tubing that is fitted to the side of the intake. Water enters the pump and is mixed with air. It is all pumped into the tube that's open at the bottom where it creates a swirling action. The foam eventually builds up and the collection cup at the top is filled. I've heard people mention fine tuning a skimmer but I can't offer any advice on this. My information about them is pretty limited. Except that if you're getting a nasty looking colored water in your collection cup over time the skimmer is working.

Your pic looks like mine at the top. Can't tell if you've got anything but foam in the collection cup though. BTW. Make sure you clean the collection cup when it's full. Or even half way full.

[Guy W]

if it's making that much foam it looks like it is doing ok to me.

[frazin78]

The skimmer has an outlet tube for the disposal of the sludge, it's always pretty dried up but I do know that it's foaming alot especially a few hours after feeding. I paid $50 for it and I thought maybe there would be a performance difference between it and the $150 or even $200 ones.

Thanks

Jc

[BrianH]

IMHO there is usually a large increase in performance between a $200 skimmer and a $50 skimmer. Give us some more details about your tank(size, sump or not) and we can make some suggestions about skimmers.

Brian

[frazin78]

Originally posted by BrianH
IMHO there is usually a large increase in performance between a $200 skimmer and a $50 skimmer. Give us some more details about your tank(size, sump or not) and we can make some suggestions about skimmers.

Brian

It's a hang on the back version. It is 2 feet tall and my tank is 46 G. I put an image of it in my first post.

Thanks

Jc

[BrianH]

IMHO the Aqua C remora pro is the best skimmer for your set up, hands down. The problem is that it is expensive(about $280 with surface skimmer). The other option is to down size to the regular remora, or go with the bak pak. Out of these 3, I only have direct experience with the remora pro. However, I've heard good things about both the remora and bak pak.

Brian

[frazin78]

After reading all the reviews on the Aqua C Ramora pro I am going to splurge on one. I think my gf is getting me one for x-mas I know a little lame since I already know my gift but this will be a COOL gift. :)