Best protein skimmer for first reef tank?

gooicide · Aug 7, 2016

Hello, I am looking to set up my first reef tank, second SW tank, which is currently undergoing its cycle. As of now, I do not have a skimmer, but I will add a skimmer when I start adding corals. I will be adding fish and inverts first, then moving onto soft corals, then maybe one LPS, and a couple moderate difficulty SPS such as birdsnest and monti cap. I have a 37G that will have a total of five fish and seven corals. I want to avoid HOB skimmers. What kind of skimmer would you suggest for this type of setup?

reeferfoxx · Aug 7, 2016

gooicide said:
Hello, I am looking to set up my first reef tank, second SW tank, which is currently undergoing its cycle. As of now, I do not have a skimmer, but I will add a skimmer when I start adding corals. I will be adding fish and inverts first, then moving onto soft corals, then maybe one LPS, and a couple moderate difficulty SPS such as birdsnest and monti cap. I have a 37G that will have a total of five fish and seven corals. I want to avoid HOB skimmers. What kind of skimmer would you suggest for this type of setup?

Does your tank have a sump? Is it all in one? Or just standard?

gooicide · Aug 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Does your tank have a sump? Is it all in one? Or just standard?

My tank does not have a sump. Is one necessary? I don't know much about sumps, sorry.

reeferfoxx · Aug 7, 2016

gooicide said:
My tank does not have a sump. Is one necessary? I don't know much about sumps, sorry.

They arent necessary. But they do hide the eye sore of skimmers.

If you had an all in one tank, you could hide one in a chamber. Otherwise your options for a standard tank would be to have a hang on back, unfortunately. However, they make good hob skimmers.

If it bothers your tastes and you can spend some extra money, hang on back overflow to sump with return pump can achieve a nice look. Kind of hide the skimmer and most the filtration.

gooicide · Aug 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
They arent necessary. But they do hide the eye sore of skimmers.

If you had an all in one tank, you could hide one in a chamber. Otherwise your options for a standard tank would be to have a hang on back, unfortunately. However, they make good hob skimmers.

If it bothers your tastes and you can spend some extra money, hang on back overflow to sump with return pump can achieve a nice look. Kind of hide the skimmer and most the filtration.

I'm looking at the reef octopus bh1000. I hear that's a good model.

twilliard · Aug 7, 2016

This will bring you into the learning curve of tank ownership

HOB skimmer is the option for a tank with no sump.
To add a sump to a non drilled tank you have to invest in a reliable overflow. These however are NOT maintenance free so don't overlook this.

twilliard · Aug 7, 2016

gooicide said:
I'm looking at the reef octopus bh1000. I hear that's a good model.

Skimmer shopping is not easy.
There are many factors that sets skimmers apart from the good to not so good.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/skimmers-explained.227824/

reeferfoxx · Aug 7, 2016

twilliard said:
Skimmer shopping is not easy.
There are many factors that sets skimmers apart from the good to not so good.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/skimmers-explained.227824/

Thats a nice write up!

FWIW I use a HOB skimmer and hands down Aquamaxx HOB-1 is excellent. They use a quality needle wheel sicce pump. The design is simple for easy cleaning. And it skims. It does the job.

Cleo642 · Aug 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Thats a nice write up!

FWIW I use a HOB skimmer and hands down Aquamaxx HOB-1 is excellent. They use a quality needle wheel sicce pump. The design is simple for easy cleaning. And it skims. It does the job.

What is the cost of that skimmer?

gooicide · Aug 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Thats a nice write up!

FWIW I use a HOB skimmer and hands down Aquamaxx HOB-1 is excellent. They use a quality needle wheel sicce pump. The design is simple for easy cleaning. And it skims. It does the job.

What size tank do you have?

reeferfoxx · Aug 7, 2016

Cleo642 said:
What is the cost of that skimmer?

I've had this skimmer over a year now, at least. I want to say i paid around $230

gooicide said:
What size tank do you have?

I first used it on a 20 gallon. Now it's on a 30 gallon. If you go for this skimmer, make sure it comes with the bubble stopper.

And I think it's rated for 70 gallons?

reeferfoxx · Aug 7, 2016

This 5 days worth of skimmate. Don't cringe too much lol. I need to clean it...

Salty1962 · Aug 7, 2016

Remora's are great skimmers. Your only other option for a PS is one inside your tank, Tunzes are good.

reeferfoxx · Aug 7, 2016

Salty1962 said:
Remora's are great skimmers. Your only other option for a PS is one inside your tank, Tunzes are good.

I've considered one of these once. Do you think the vibrations are too much? I was worried because its right in the display.
Sorry the tunze is what i was ref.

DracoKat · Aug 7, 2016

I love the Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer, I used mine for about 3 months before I upgraded my tank. I actually have it for sale now

Salty1962 · Aug 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
I've considered one of these once. Do you think the vibrations are too much? I was worried because its right in the display.
Sorry the tunze is what i was ref.

I don't believe that any harmonics given off by the PS is of concern. Mine doesn't bother my tank any at all.

AdamNC · Aug 7, 2016

The AquaC Remora is a good novice level skimmer. Been using mine for 2 1/2 years. About every 3 days I need to empty the collection cup. Every time I empty the cup it also gets cleaned.

Here's after 1 day with only 1 fish in a 29 gallon standard.