Anyone have experience with the HOB skimmers

[SaltISlife]

Now my 135g 6 ft tank has no sump or skimmer. And i use tap and T5 lights and hinestly i can grow any coral you throw at me just fine. Acros. Sps lps leathers.. whatever.

But ive been curious about maybe trying a protien skimmer. Probably best if i dont and just keep doing what i do since it works. But ive been eyeing the seaclone 150 from instant ocean.

Has mixed reviews but i feel alot of them are user error more than anything.

What are your thoughts on hob skimmers . And before you mention it. My tank is 40 years old. Im not drilling glass that old im not getting a sump. So plz dont suggest that to me. I just dont want the risk of overflows with a J tube style piping going to a sump. Seen it first hand overflow during power outages and stuff.. im sure there are ways to keep it from happening.. but it isnt worth it to me.

I just want something simple.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

My first skimmer was a HOB sea clone. I would not recommend it as it quit skimming a few weeks in even after taking it apart and cleaning it well. Coralife makes a decent hob skimmer. It worked great for me until I installed a sump and switched to a reef octopus internal.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Aquamaxx HOB 1.5

 

[Uncle99]

Used the Corallife HOB skimmer for 4 years, worked great.
The only issue I have with HOB skimmers is some don’t have a drain at the top in case the cup overflows. I had to put one into my skimmer cup. This drain allows for any potential overflow to just a back into the tank....and not on your floor.

When everything is going well, I change nothing.

 

[Dkmoo]

i probably ran thru all the HOB skimmers before i set up a sump - reef octo, Aquamaxx, aquatic life, tunze - while they all performed satisfactorily, i eventually got rid of them all and set up a sump b/c of 1) it makes my DT "ugly" - i don't want it to look like inspector gadget - i prefer the simplicity of just the tank and light. 2) the smell - a property "broken in" skimmer's dry skimate is gag inducing - once i accidentally knocked it over and some got on my sofa - whole room stank for a week.

 

[StlSalt]

Have a reef octopus classic 90 HOB, and an Aquamaxx 1 HOB. I love the RO 90 HOB classic, the Aquamaxx does a good job but I like the control of the RO90, it's easier than pushing a collection box up or down to adjust the skimmer water height. The RO90 has a tube/valve you twist instead of a box with a rubber band on it.

 

[Frogspon]

I have the Reef Octopus 1000 HOB Skimmer on my 40 breeder. Been using it for two months so far and love it.

I would stay away from Instant Ocean skimmers but that's just me.