Protein skimmer help!

johnyboy · Mar 8, 2015

Hey guys

Just wondering what a good priced as well as a good performing protein skimmer. My tank is 3 weeks old and I have enough money to get my skimmer soon. I was looking at the coral box skimmer. Please give me suggestions on exact models that are good. I have a 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump tank. Thanks guys.

Reefing Madness · Mar 9, 2015

http://www.scaquariums.com/SCA-302-180-Gallon-Protein-Skimmer-p/sca-302.htm
http://www.swcskimmers.com/product5.html
http://www.swcskimmers.com/product3.html
http://www.swcskimmers.com/product15.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/super-reef-octopus-1000lss-protein-skimmer.html
Vertex Omega 200i Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
Skimz Kone SK202 External Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
Super Reef Octopus SRO-3000INT 8? In Sump Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply

johnyboy · Mar 9, 2015

Thanks man

johnyboy · Mar 9, 2015

I need something in the 200-250 range.

Reefing Madness · Mar 9, 2015

250 price range?

johnyboy · Mar 9, 2015

Reefing Madness · Mar 9, 2015

SCA-302 180 gallon Protein Skimmer

hart24601 · Mar 9, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
SCA-302 180 gallon Protein Skimmer
SWC 250
SWC 160
SWC Mini S Cone
Super Reef Octopus 1000LSS Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
Vertex Omega 200i Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
Skimz Kone SK202 External Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply
Super Reef Octopus SRO-3000INT 8? In Sump Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply

Aren't some of those a bit big for 105g total? I see the vertex 200i, I have the 180i and it seems like anything smaller than my 140 heavy stocked system with carbon dosing would be a bit small for it and not produce consistent skimmate. That 200i flows up to 2,000 l/hr of air!

Reefing Madness · Mar 9, 2015

Nope, none are to big for a system of that volume. You want the skimmer rated for twice your total volume of water.

hart24601 · Mar 9, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
Nope, none are to big for a system of that volume. You want the skimmer rated for twice your total volume of water.

I don't quite agree on that. Manufactures vary greatly on skimmer ratings. I have found that it's better to look at air flow and select based off 5-10x the total system volume. So for 105g total it would be 1000 l/hr air for consistent performance. I did not get that info from here, but it's a nice general guide:

Selecting a New Skimmer - Reef Aquarium

I don't have experience with many of those other skimmers, but I can guarantee while it would work that 200i would not work as well compared to a smaller skimmer. Even the 180i would be pushing it and unless a super heavy bioload it would be too big. While a huge skimmer will work, it will be inconsistent, sitting idle until enough DOC build up and then making foam, but after a while they drop back down and just sit there. Hard to adjust because people freak out and adjust the skimmer, but the DOC builds up and the skimmer overflows. I ran the 180i in a heavy stocked 95g and it would sit doing nothing for a few days before making nice skimmate, but then would drop back down. Now my 120 is done it works great.

Here is a thread with slief's experiences with oversized skimmers (his experience trumps mine by 10,000X) and it's pretty much the same as mine.

Skimmer too large? - Reef Central Online Community

Reefing Madness · Mar 9, 2015

Ok man. No such thing as overskimming. The skimmer will always catch up to the system if it removes the organics, it will sit idle of course, but if left alone, it will always catch back up. An under sized one on the other hand will never catch up. I'd rather overskim it like crazy, than have to small a skimmer and have to carbon dose all the time, like I currently do.

hart24601 · Mar 9, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
Ok man. No such thing as overskimming. The skimmer will always catch up to the system if it removes the organics, it will sit idle of course, but if left alone, it will always catch back up. An under sized one on the other hand will never catch up. I'd rather overskim it like crazy, than have to small a skimmer and have to carbon dose all the time, like I currently do.

Ok man! :wink:

NanaReefer · Mar 9, 2015

I also recommend the SCA-302. Very budget friendly, well performing, quiet skimmer.
I've been running the 301 on my 40B for 9 months and am very pleased with it's performance. Very easy to adjust. Just a great skimmer all around. Air flow is about 7 1/2x total water volume.

hart24601 · Mar 9, 2015

NanaReefer said:
I also recommend the SCA-302. Very budget friendly, well performing, quiet skimmer.
I've been running the 301 on my 40B for 9 months and am very pleased with it's performance. Very easy to adjust. Just a great skimmer all around. Air flow is about 7 1/2x total water volume.

Looks like a nice appropriately sized skimmer!

firemedix911 · Mar 9, 2015

JNS CO-1 at bigals is a very good option and a skimmer that from my research has very little issues compare to the sale volume. Same skimmer as the aquamaxx CO-1 but 50 less. Good luck.