Thoroughly confused by protein skimmer selection

[AGWL]

I need someone to talk to me like I'm five years old....

I'm currently running a 25-gallon with a Reef Octopus Classic NS-80. Eh, I don't hate it. However, I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 55-gallon. Looking for an in-tank or HOB skimmer that won't break the bank. I've gone down a rabbit hole with researching and have myself completely confused. Right now, I'm looking at a Bubble Magus BM-Curve 5. Good choice? Don't waste my money? what the heck am I thinking?

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[dedragon]

I would probably look at the icecap or larger reef octopus hob skimmers, but in your case as you are upgrading tank, ditch the hob skimmers all together and just run a sump and normal protein skimmer. No need to worry about it overflowing and less fickle in general than hob skimmers, if you setup a proper sump

 

[Nano sapiens]

If you want to totally unconfuse, save money and hassle, running an aquarium without a skimmer is a perfectly viable option (many do, myself included both with my previous 55g and my current 12g).

If you really want a skimmer, then the size and type will depend on many factors such as the bioload you're planning to keep in the 55g, what you find visually acceptable/appealing, how much noise you can tolerate (some are quieter than others), brand reputation, etc.

Perhaps the easiest way to determine this is to look at successful tank builds of a similar size to your upgrade and see what skimmer they are using and why.

 

[HighlandReef]

Best advise I can give you is don’t go cheap on the skimmer.
Basically, buy once, cry once.
Aquamaxx and reef octopus both make good HOB skimmers.
With that said, if your looking to upgrade and have the room, an external skimmer would do you well. They are much easier to dial in and don’t really suffer from water levels varying during evaporation throughout the day.

When I first setup my 55 gallon years ago, I went cheap on the skimmer. Skimmer sucked and I just ended up buying it twice. Don’t waiste your money, this hobby is already expensive enough now.

Also, check out the 60 breeders when it’s time to upgrade.
Aqueon makes one, possibly others.
I wish aqueon had the 60 breeders when I setup my 40 breeder frag and QT tank, I would have went with the 60 breeder. Same footprint as 75 gallon, just not as tall.
If you go with a 60 breeder, you should be able to run an external skimmer, something along the lines of a reef octopus 110ext.
I have a larger system but run the reef octo sro5000 external skimmer, it’s a total beast.
Besides standard cleaning, I haven’t had to touch it in months, just does it’s job and does it very well.

almost forgot to mention, I always recommend running a skimmer. Not necessarily 100% necessary but for most it is the main piece of equipment for oxygenation. I have my skimmers air line run outside and sucks in fresh air. Very much helps with PH. Without the outside line drawing in fresh air, my PH hangs around 7.9. With the skimmers airline run outside sucking in fresh air, my PH now hovers around 8.2. Made a big difference on my tank.

 

[AGWL]

Thank you, everyone. I am now re-evaluating all my equipment plans and am considering a sump (was going to go with a canister before). Geez. Need to wait until my stand gets here and assembled so I can figure out how much space I'll need.

 

[theMeat]

Thank you, everyone. I am now re-evaluating all my equipment plans and am considering a sump (was going to go with a canister before). Geez. Need to wait until my stand gets here and assembled so I can figure out how much space I'll need.

This would be the best option imo. A skimmer does more than lessen the need for water changes by helping to control nutrients. It also helps aerate and ph.
In a saltwater tank most proteins float to the surface so an overflow design filter is superior because it skims water from he surface and delivers it to the sump/filter. An in sump skimmer is a safer option than hob

 

[AGWL]

This would be the best option imo. A skimmer does more than lessen the need for water changes by helping to control nutrients. It also helps aerate and ph.
In a saltwater tank most proteins float to the surface so an overflow design filter is superior because it skims water from he surface and delivers it to the sump/filter. An in sump skimmer is a safer option than hob

Now I just have to figure out how to set all this up. I've got a 30g just chilling in my garage, but I don't know if it'll fit in the cabinet or not. Cabinet is supposed to be delivered today, but considering my area is covered in several inches of ice, I'm not banking on it making it.

 

[theMeat]

Now I just have to figure out how to set all this up. I've got a 30g just chilling in my garage, but I don't know if it'll fit in the cabinet or not. Cabinet is supposed to be delivered today, but considering my area is covered in several inches of ice, I'm not banking on it making it.

Would be nice if the 30 gal would fit but could go to lfs or petco or whatever and pick up a cheap tank. A “long” style tank works best. 30long, 20long etc. Because the skimmer water level height it sits in cannot be too high. Would recommend picking a skimmer then you have dimensions and water height, then build the sump around that. Make sure the sides of sump aren’t too tall so you can get equipment in and out.

 

[pap2]

I used a Aquamaxx hob 1.5 and loved it. only got rid of it because i now have a sump

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Follow build threads, join a local club, go to LFS and have them show how a good sump works, you do not have to spend a mint, but it will cost you, stay away from Bubble Magnus Curve 5 too many love or hate it going on, look into Simplicity DC 120

120 DC Protein Skimmer - Simplicity$225.95SaltwaterAquarium.com
Also look into their return pumps, they have great CS you can them and they will answer the phone. I have their DC 2100 return pump for my 120 tank and the DC 240 skimmer for the same tank.

 

[Cell]

If you can source it, Tunze 9004. They were hard to find for awhile though during Covid. Not sure about now.

 

[AGWL]

Okay, friends, this is getting silly. The stand I ordered for the 55g won't hold the sump. None of the other stands I can find look like they will, either, due to design specs.

Where do you all find a flipping wood stand that will hold a 55g and a sump? Or do I get a metal stand and hang a curtain or something to conceal the sump?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Great skimmer advice above but if it’s not too late I’d reconsider a 55g tank. The footprint is horrible. If u want a 4ft system get a 75.

 

[Avinaash]

Okay, friends, this is getting silly. The stand I ordered for the 55g won't hold the sump. None of the other stands I can find look like they will, either, due to design specs.

Where do you all find a flipping wood stand that will hold a 55g and a sump? Or do I get a metal stand and hang a curtain or something to conceal the sump?

My advice would be to stick to your original vision of having a sumpless tank with a hob skimmer. I have a similar experience of questioning my initial choice of not having a sump and trying to add one later due to other people telling me i need a sump.

In the end i realised i was straying from my initial plan for my tank and had wasted money on a tank for a sump , plumbing , return pump , hob overflow & most importantly time & effort and was left frustrated.

If you want a hassle free set up process and don't want to think too much about it just get a hob skimmer and call it a day. I currently have owned a reef octopus hob 90 skimmer for 7 months and am very happy with it. Pulls great skimmate and is relatively quiet , it is quite big though. My tank is right next to my bed and i am still able to sleep peacefully. Your noise tolerance might vary though. Moral of the story is don't make reefing hard for you if you want to keep it simple. Just stick to 10% weekly water changes , turkey baste the rocks once in a while and let the tank mature