Skimmer to suit my needs?

[mcsassy]

I'm looking for an in sump skimmer to fit in the space I have.

My tank is 72 gallons, but I want one that's rated higher...probably up to 125 gallons or so.

The available space I have right now in the sump is 12" x 5"

I want one that does a good job and doesn't release micro bubbles back into the sump, which are then always released back into the tank (very annoying).

I've noticed that good skimmers are very expensive, so the MAX I'm willing to go is $500.

Thanks

[Ace25]

Remora.. Urchin.. Deltech.. All 3 are good skimmers for the price, but probably right at the limit of being too small for your tank. For around $250 though they are excellent skimmers IMO. I am an oddball when it comes to skimmers though. After reading that Advanced Aquarist article on them I no longer think it is good to buy the biggest baddest skimmer that cost $1500. I actually want the stuff in my water for a little while to feed my corals. My opinion is.. my $175 skimmer may take 10 passes to get all the DOCs out of the water vs 1 pass from a $1500 skimmer, but that is 9x more chance for things to get fed in the tank before being removed.. which still happens in under 30 minutes anyway. The big expensive skimmers I feel actually strip much more out of the water than DOCs.. and IMO this is not a good thing. There is such thing as pulling too much out of your tank. I know one person who used to brag his $1200 Bubble King could suck a sheet of seaweed right out of the tank through the skimmer.. and it did.. but I asked him "How is that a good thing? Now your fish don't get to eat it" and he didn't have an answer.

[mcsassy]

Remora.. Urchin.. Deltech.. All 3 are good skimmers for the price, but probably right at the limit of being too small for your tank. For around $250 though they are excellent skimmers IMO. I am an oddball when it comes to skimmers though. After reading that Advanced Aquarist article on them I no longer think it is good to buy the biggest baddest skimmer that cost $1500. I actually want the stuff in my water for a little while to feed my corals. My opinion is.. my $175 skimmer may take 10 passes to get all the DOCs out of the water vs 1 pass from a $1500 skimmer, but that is 9x more chance for things to get fed in the tank before being removed.. which still happens in under 30 minutes anyway. The big expensive skimmers I feel actually strip much more out of the water than DOCs.. and IMO this is not a good thing. There is such thing as pulling too much out of your tank. I know one person who used to brag his $1200 Bubble King could suck a sheet of seaweed right out of the tank through the skimmer.. and it did.. but I asked him "How is that a good thing? Now your fish don't get to eat it" and he didn't have an answer.

:lol::lol::lol:

Good point Ace!

From the dimensions I have in regards to open space, it seems like this one would fit the tank the best. What do you think? Is it good or overkill?

http://www.marinedepot.com/Deltec_Internal_Protein_Skimmer_MC500_In_Sump_Vent uri_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-D_D_The_Aquarium_Solution-DD1513-FIPSISNW-0-vi.html

[Ace25]

Hmmm. Don't know how I missed that one when I looked on there. I saw the 300 and 600, not the 500 though. I have zero experience with that one, but from the others I have played with I will say 99.9% chance it is a great skimmer. For the price it better be... but I know the company's rep and they are very good.

If you want to spend that much on it, close to your limit, then ya, excellent skimmer and no I don't think it would be overkill for your tank.

[mcsassy]

Hmmm. Don't know how I missed that one when I looked on there. I saw the 300 and 600, not the 500 though. I have zero experience with that one, but from the others I have played with I will say 99.9% chance it is a great skimmer. For the price it better be... but I know the company's rep and they are very good.

If you want to spend that much on it, close to your limit, then ya, excellent skimmer and no I don't think it would be overkill for your tank.

The price is a push, but if you get what you pay for, then I would rather do it right the first time instead of buying two mediocre ones or buying a crappy one, then having to spend a load on a good one, you know?

Time to start saving up...

[mcsassy]

I just read that Deltec will have a new line of skimmers out during MACNA

I will probably just wait on those...they look similar to the bubble kings.

http://theaquariumsolution.com/new-deltec-skimmer-range-more-information

Edit: Nevermind...it seems like they are only for larger tanks.

[Amphiprion]

If you decide on Deltec, it's a great choice. They are pricey, but they work--that's the bottom line. There are lots of skimmers out there, but few are guaranteed to work and work well. Deltec just happens to be one of them.

On another note, I have finally done something I've wanted to for years--build an algal turf scrubber. I'm keeping my skimmer and carbon, though and simply tuning the skimmer down.

[Miss my puffer]

Sorry to hijack, but Amphiprion are you planning on posting your turf scrubber build or putting it on the turf scrubber build thread? I am getting ready to build a turf scrubber as well and am hopefully going to have some pics to upload if I ever get a chance to work on it (I think I have the parts now, so it is just working out the final details I am stuck on now).