Protein Skimmer, No Sump

[chrissymoon]

I need to purchase a new protein skimmer. Looking for recommendations for a 120 gallon, moderately stocked, sumpless tank.

thank you in advance

 

[Stigigemla]

Tunze 9012. Comparably small for that high air intake.
Normally works very good but there are 3 traps to avoid.

1. Be careful when positioning the skimmer cup so it is in its correct place or it will be leaking air bubbles between the body and the cup. When You have learned to avoid that it is absolutely not a problem anymore.

2. The other is a common problem with most skimmers. If You reduce the air intake to almost nothing the air bubbles will be very small and spread all over the tank because they rise so slow.
If You just increase the air that problem will be gone. This problem only comes when You start the new skimmer in an unskimmed tank with a lot of dirt in the water. If You accept to empty the cup some more times when the skimmer dials in that problem is gone.

3. For a few people it is difficult to unmount it for cleaning and put it together again. Therefore I recommend You to do that when You open the box the first time and You have the dry skimmer and manual to work with.
When You have done it one time it is easy to do it again.

In my opinion it is the best compact in tank skimmer for 100 to 200 gallons.

 

[chrissymoon]

Tunze 9012. Comparably small for that high air intake.
Normally works very good but there are 3 traps to avoid.

1. Be careful when positioning the skimmer cup so it is in its correct place or it will be leaking air bubbles between the body and the cup. When You have learned to avoid that it is absolutely not a problem anymore.

2. The other is a common problem with most skimmers. If You reduce the air intake to almost nothing the air bubbles will be very small and spread all over the tank because they rise so slow.
If You just increase the air that problem will be gone. This problem only comes when You start the new skimmer in an unskimmed tank with a lot of dirt in the water. If You accept to empty the cup some more times when the skimmer dials in that problem is gone.

3. For a few people it is difficult to unmount it for cleaning and put it together again. Therefore I recommend You to do that when You open the box the first time and You have the dry skimmer and manual to work with.
When You have done it one time it is easy to do it again.

In my opinion it is the best compact in tank skimmer for 100 to 200 gallons.

Thank you! I literally ordered a bubble magus curve 5 elite after posting this ‍ I hope it works well! I wish I would’ve checked to see this comment because the one you suggested looks so much sleeker!

 

[Idech]

Tunze 9012. Comparably small for that high air intake.
Normally works very good but there are 3 traps to avoid.

That’s the one I bought for my 75 gallons. I recommend the DC version so you can more easily adjust air flow.

Mine is breaking in at the moment and it’s already doing a good job at removing nasty stuff from the water.

 

[Midrats]

The Tunze also has the added benefit of surface skimming.

 

[Uriken]

I think you will be happy with the Bubble Magus 5. Just be prepared for some break in period before it settles down. I had that skimmer for a bit but now have the Aquamaxx 1.5 which has been a good skimmer also.

 

[chrissymoon]

I think you will be happy with the Bubble Magus 5. Just be prepared for some break in period before it settles down. I had that skimmer for a bit but now have the Aquamaxx 1.5 which has been a good skimmer also.

Any tips on setting it up? I’m new to all this

 

[TheDragonsReef]

Reef octopus makes the best hang on skimmers imo

 

[sfin52]

I need to purchase a new protein skimmer. Looking for recommendations for a 120 gallon, moderately stocked, sumpless tank.

thank you in advance

Hob reef octopus they are fantastic