Best protein skimmer out there?

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 · Dec 27, 2016

I'm looking to buy the BEST OF THE BEST Protein Skimmer on the market and need y'all help to find it?

Money isn't a problem and I want the best of the best for my tank?

Give me your thoughts?

Thank you

skim · Dec 27, 2016

Bubble King and then I would have to say Vertex Alpha series. Big Bucks though. What size is your tank and what are your plans for this tank, and what equipment do you have now.

bubbaque · Dec 27, 2016

Deltec makes a great skimmer. I previously was using a reef octopus and it didn't compare to the deltec.

twilliard · Dec 27, 2016

Orphek helix 5000 hands down

MaiReef · Dec 27, 2016

Bubble King appears to be the best brand, but I would get a recirculating one with one pump for the water and another for the bubbles.

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 · Dec 27, 2016

I have a Red Sea reefer deluxe 170 with hydra 26, I plan on redoing the tank and making the rocks look like there floating and a zoa dominated tank

skim · Dec 27, 2016

Zoa dominated tank, I would save your money and just pick up a bulk supply of chemipure ( comes in six pack ) and put it in the sump.

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 · Dec 27, 2016

Well it's mainly going to have zoanthids but I'm definitely putting sps and lps as well

GoVols · Dec 27, 2016

I've been running my Bubble King for a little over two years.

It is truly set and forget. Once broke in (less than 24's) it's been like setting your home AC thermostat to a temp selecting "auto" and walking away. I always have to remember to clean out the venturi because I just have to clean the collection cup.

Dead silent too

If you can afford one and want the absolute best then OP"s answer is "Bubble King".

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 · Dec 27, 2016

Ok @GoVols which bubble king would you recommend for a 45 gal tank? I been doing some research on bubble king the benefits are outstanding!

GoVols · Dec 27, 2016

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 said:
Ok @GoVols which bubble king would you recommend for a 45 gal tank? I been doing some research on bubble king the benefits are outstanding!

Sorry, Unless somethings new they don't make a skimmer that small.

I want to add one thing. There's been scientific research done on skimmers. Once dialed in there's is only so much DOC "funk" ANY skimmer will pull out. It's just physics.

The Bubble King's can't pull anymore "funk" than another dialed in skimmer, But they stay dialed in built like tanks and build the quality is unbelievable.

Do you have a sump?

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 · Dec 27, 2016

Oh ok that's pretty cool, yes I do have a sump, ok then what skimmer would you recommend for my tank that's legit?

luke33 · Dec 27, 2016

Funny question as you'll get a thousand different answers. Anymore most skimmers similar in design skim similar. Just find one that has the features and pump you like. It's also important if you can find available parts. What I look for is efficiency of pump, air pull, footprint, quietness, transition to collection cup and neck diameter. Also price. You can spend a grand or two hundred bucks on a skimmer that will perform about the same these days.

Oldreefer44 · Dec 27, 2016

Have owned several over the years. Have a Bubble King and a Vertex. Vertex is almost a carbon copy of the Bubble King. Both have been by far the best of any I have used.

runzwithscissors · Dec 27, 2016

I think you're going to get at least 1 vote for every skimmer manufactured..
What one person attests to the best, another will have had a bad experience with.
Just an observation, I think since $ aren't an issue any top of the line from a manufacturer will do.

GoVols · Dec 27, 2016

Xerxes_Zoanthids444 said:
Oh ok that's pretty cool, yes I do have a sump, ok then what skimmer would you recommend for my tank that's legit?

Also the BK's Red Dragon pumps are dead silent too.

I just noticed they are now making a double cone 130 and 150. They may be perfect for your tank but I haven't used a BK cone that's that small so I can't say you would not be tweaking it all the time.
http://royalexclusiv.com/Skimmer/Sk...-130-250/Bubble-King-Double-Cone-150::53.html

How high is your water line in your sumps skimmer chamber?

GoVols · Dec 27, 2016

OLDREEFER44 said:
Have owned several over the years. Have a Bubble King and a Vertex. Vertex is almost a carbon copy of the Bubble King. Both have been by far the best of any I have used.

I just saw the BK's double cones (130 and 150) for the first time. They do look like the Vertex and I believe Royal Exclusiv shares with Vertex but a Vertex doesn't have the Red Dragon pumps.

After BK's double cones (130 and 150) and these models could be hard to dial in there's nothing in Vertex's line that is a BK.

justingraham · Dec 27, 2016

If money is honestly not a problem go with what @twilliard said
I do like deltec but twillards skimmer is crazy post up ur pic please

GoVols · Dec 27, 2016

justingraham said:
If money is honestly not a problem go with what @twilliard said
I do like deltec but twillards skimmer is crazy post up ur pic please

Those Deltec MC500's where awesome!
I don't know if Deltec still makes that model anymore...

twilliard · Dec 27, 2016

justingraham said:
If money is honestly not a problem go with what @twilliard said
I do like deltec but twillards skimmer is crazy post up ur pic please

Yup coming right up!
No I have owned a LOT of skimmers since 2005 and have picked the workings apart down to the fine detail of each skimmer I have owned.
A lot of trial and error and a LOT of money spent through the years.