View Full Version : what skimmers do you use/recommend?
moose1960
12-03-2002, 6:32 PM
I have a 55g brackish tank which will eventually be turned into marine as the fish get older. Right now salinity is aprox 1.006~1.008 and slowly rising every week about 1 thou. I have seen prices ranging from 40 bucks to 500 bucks for skimmers and different styles. So far planned is a FO tank as i am not sure what else to put in with columbian sharks, monos, and scats. Eventually I would likely be going to a larger tank so I would like to purchase things slowly and as $ permits. Every shop i have been to has said aprox $2000 to convert a 55 to marine.
So basically
1. What skimmers recommended
2. What else in order of importance should i research/budget on?
quantim0
12-03-2002, 7:40 PM
i use a Prism skimmer. it's the only skimmer i've ever used and i really can't tell you about others. but it does a good job at extracting some nasty stuff from my tank.
Pineapple House
12-03-2002, 10:00 PM
Prizm and Sea clone skimmers really don't work too well, and don't pull out even a fraction of what a quality skimmer would. Euro reef skimmers would be my recomendation. Check out www.euro-reef.com for exelent deals!
PH =)
Daverman
12-03-2002, 10:00 PM
I recommend SeaClone 100 by Marineland. Contrary to what people say about this protein skimmer, (from my experience) it is quite effective at removing a large amount of organic waste. Since I started to use it, the water quality has been really good. I can actually see a lot of dark brownish gooey waste accumulating in the collection cup. My opinion may not be objective since this is the only protein skimmer that I've used. But, I can say for sure that SeaClone doesn't do a bad job. I know that many people recommend Prism Protein skimmer. The decision is up to you. I just wanted to share my expirience with people on this board.
I run a Euro-Reef CS6-2 on my 100g and it's an amazing piece of equipment! Pricey, but worth every penny.
slipknottin
12-04-2002, 10:43 AM
Do you have a sump? If not you might want to consider using one.
for skimmers id recommend the Aqua C urchin. If you do setup a sump they have other models that can go in there, if not then there are models that hang on the back of the tank.
http://www.marinedepot.com/a_ps_ac_remora.asp?CartId=
moose1960
12-04-2002, 4:20 PM
Slipknottin:
What do you recommend for sump size for 55g, but with the thought of moving to a larger tank 120 min size, if santa can fit it in his sleigh. Could I just use an old 25 g tank?
If i use the tank as a sump is a sump skimmer better then HOB skimmers?
A 25g would be a very nice size sump for a 55. It would also work for a 120, assuming you could fit all the equipment in there (i.e. more/bigger heaters, larger skimmer, larger pump, etc.). The bigger the sump the better though - I'm running a 40g sump on a 100g tank and it works great.
If you go with a sump, an in-sump skimmer is definitely the way to go. No real sense in hanging a skimmer off the edge of a sump capable of accommodating an in-sump skimmer.
prizm
prizm prizm
and i don't work for them...:D
Originally posted by makai
prizm
prizm prizm
and i don't work for them...:D
Those are fine skimmers for tanks up to about 30g, but they don't work very well for larger tanks.
slipknottin
12-04-2002, 6:49 PM
agreed with gcvt on pretty much everything
(what else is new :rolleyes: )
slugstheone
12-10-2002, 7:28 PM
I am new to this to and i use an amiricle skimmer and have had good steady salinty.
ERRN7
12-11-2002, 12:09 AM
I love to throw in a monkey wrench but .....I use a Prizm on a 72gal Bow Front.....It has 4" LS and 50 # of Gulf View rock. I know people put them down alot for their lack of ......but for Me it has worked great. I have three mushroom rocks a bubble coral and a fragged Leather. The tank has been up and running for almost two years. I usually get half cup of gunk with each water change which is monthly. If I were crazy enough to put up another salt tank I would use prizm again they now have one for larger tanks as well....
SunnyX
12-18-2002, 6:55 PM
Do you have a sump? If not you might want to consider using one.
1.What is a SUMP?
2.WHat are the advantages of having one?
3.Should I be using it with my SeaClone
Protein Skimmer(100)? It is in a 55gal tank.
4.If I need it how would I go about building a SUMP?
slipknottin
12-18-2002, 11:00 PM
a sump is just another watertight container (another tank, a rubbermaid storage bin, etc.) that is usually placed below the main tank.
You either get your tank drilled or use a "siphon overflow box" like the Amiracle model that sells for $40
You also need a return pump. The water flows from the display tank down to the sump, and the pump pumps it back up.
You can place heaters, skimmers, etc., etc. in the sump. You could also light it and grow algaes.
FishBait
12-19-2002, 2:08 PM
Well, you'll prolly need even bigger than a 120 eventually, so I'd plan on getting some things to suit the NEXT next move ;) If you get the 120, you'll only have 4' of cabinet room for a sump, as opposed to 6' for a 125, but that's all I have too. I have a 90 gallon with an $8 ~30gal Rubbermaid sump. Even on a 6' tank this should be adequate. My skimmer is a Turbofloter 1000 which sits in the sump. I replaced the crappy Rio pump that came w/it with a Mag 7, and for the price...it's a heck of a skimmer.
Pisces
12-19-2002, 7:22 PM
We're running a SeaClone 100 on our 55g reef and a Hang-on Berlin Turbo on our 125g and they're both doing a great job of pulling out the gunk. The SeaClone's been running for about 3 years and the Berlin is about a year old with no problems from either one...yet.
sandl215
12-20-2002, 8:39 PM
Euro-Reef Cs61. Unbelievable piece of equipment.