What skimmer should I use?

tonybwill · Apr 8, 2015

Tank now as we speak......
45g reef 36x13x24
bh-1000 skimmer
hob cpr refuge

Thinking of going with........
hob overflow lifereef
eshopps sump R-100 (20g)
Danner mag 9.5 pump

Tank up and running for 1 year now, all is well. I don't want to breakdown and drill. I will get a larger reef ready tank down the road.

Help me choose a skimmer and any other suggestions are welcome. Thx

krystalreef · Apr 8, 2015

I tried eshopps but it broke and I could not get a part for it it was a OKAY" Skimmer but after it broke I got a reef octopus and it works like a dream I love it and it is avalible on bulk reef supply . I have a 55g reef set up for a year as well. This skimmer pulls a lot out of the water its really a good skimmer so look in to it

tonybwill · Apr 8, 2015

krystalreef.......Thx, What are you using for your sump and overflow?

krystalreef · Apr 8, 2015

I have am getting a 20gal long to fit more room in the refugiom and I have the skimmer and filter sock and a pump to pump back up I think it it 900gph and I got the overflow from cregslist

krystalreef · Apr 8, 2015

It is kinda cramped now but can't wait for new tank

tonybwill · Apr 8, 2015

Any problem with hob overflow? Hope not, lol.

krystalreef · Apr 8, 2015

No none at all

tonybwill · Apr 8, 2015

rjcranor · Apr 8, 2015

I have the reef octopus bh 1000 ,works great on my 50 gallon

tonybwill · Apr 9, 2015

BH 100 is a gr8 hob skimmer, will replace with reef octopus for a sump.

LILBUDDHA · Apr 9, 2015

To the OP I am really surprised u want to go to a sump since your tank looks clean , corals look healthy and it look's great .
HOB's overflows work but have some caveats . It's proly better to wait until you can drill ,for peace of mind .
I guess we all like to tinker .

NanaReefer · Apr 10, 2015

Sump adds water volume, creating more stable parameters. Houses equipment, adds to filtration choices. I was sumpless for 5yrs, will never run a tank without one again.

Having said this I'm running the SCA-301 in sump skimmer on my 40B/20L sump. Rated for up to 65g. My first in sump skimmer. I ran the BH-1000 for 2yrs. This SCA puts it to shame. Great skimmer at half the cost to the BH-1000.

tonybwill · Apr 10, 2015

Thx nanareefer, I'll check it right now. What's your though on the lifereef hob overflow?

glb · Apr 10, 2015

I'd say if your tank is doing well it might be best to leave it alone. That equilibrium is hard to reach and sometimes in an attempt to make my tank better I've made it worse by making changes. Good luck!

NanaReefer · Apr 10, 2015

Personally...you cannot go wrong when adding extra water volume. As for Lifereef HOB overflows, getting good reviews.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2029766

vlangel · Apr 10, 2015

I have always used HOB overflows, (since 2007) with no trouble. I am using an in sump skimmer, SCA-302. It is oversized for a 70 gallon system but I have seahorses which are dirty. I am very impressed with its performance.