Best Protein Skimmer

[Bpb]

I do like me a Tunze

Im using a Tunze 9430 on my 150 gallon and absolutely love it. They're absurdly over priced if purchased new. I got mine used, and if the pump dies, they're reasonably priced to replace. It's a beast though. Favorite skimmer I've used thus far. Previous brands I've used are Eshopps, Bubble Magus, Lifereef, and Simplicity. The lifereef uses more robust materials, and sports a craft/boutique/handmade quality, I just am not a fan of the design, unless you have one of the 4 foot tall ones. The short ones just dont have near enough contact time, and fail to take advantage of all the benefits of a venturi skimmer.

 

[Bladezz]

They're absurdly over priced if purchased new.

LOL! I agree and so are many other things in this hobby.

 

[Fredrxn]

Maxspec jump sk 400

 

[mandarin417]

The performance and heavy duty build quality of the Ultra Reef Akula skimmers are amazing. I loved my Nyos but the Ultra Reef tops it by a long shot.

 

[homer1475]

We have most brands, but I was thinking of using a bubble magus curve 9 or curve 9 elite as it is the most common here for the most part.

Buy the elite if going this route. The addition of a sicce pump makes it easy to replace if you ever need to.

 

[X-37B]

Tunze 9430dc is a beast.

 

[ReefGeezer]

There is waaaaay too much hype about skimmers. They all do a fairly good job and there isn't much difference in performance between an super expensive and moderately priced models. I have a Bubble Magnus Curve 7 on my 90. That's on the cheap side of the moderately priced category. It is ok, but the water level adjustment is very flaky. It overflows easily. It replaced an old Reef Octopus NWS-150 external that was just too big for my system. The old Reef Octopus was rock solid and still works today, it is just inefficient, big, ugly, and noisy. I think the Bubble Magnus Curve 9 would be slightly undersized for a heavily loaded 150. I would suggest the Classic 200 INT 8" from Reef Octopus. It is a good value at about $400.

 

[areefer01]

Watch for a lifereef model skimmer Used. Most want the latest and greatest with all the bells and whistles. Lifereef just delivers performance.
SVS2-24 in-sump 22 1/2" tall should run your tank fine.
I have a shelf of used skimmers that are of no use since I discovered the Lifereef. When the pump go's bad you can use any pump you can find as long as it pushes enough water thru the Venturi. It never becomes obsolete.

I'm using the same lifereef skimmer I bought in 1999....go figure.

OP - there is no best per say. Really comes down personal preference, budget, requirements, etc. As someone said there are a lot of skimmers out there and most do the same thing. Some of course do it better than others or are more efficient. Best bet is to just scour the net to see what is being used, then look at their display, then read up a bit on the skimmer in question to see if it works for you.

 

[Magic031707]

I'm a big Simplicity fan