Protein Skimmers

[MartinShaver]

I am going to be setting up a salt tank in a while but just want to do research before i do.

What would happen if you put a skimmer on thats rated for a tank a lot larger than you are setting up?

[pat]

my opinion, a skimmer can never be to big.

[tcharger67]

I agree, buy a good quality, overrated skimmer, you'll be glad you did.
believe me you get what you pay for!

[foozdog]

deltec all the way if your buying a hang on expensive but worth every penny

[CrazyFish]

Skimmers, theres lots out there Deltec is a great skimmer, heres another one I would reconmend, LifeReef heres a couple of pics of mine.



http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/crazyfish_2006/IMG_0779.jpg


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/crazyfish_2006/IMG_0783.jpg

[sphelps]

I would stay away from both hang on skimmers and beckett style skimmers.

Hang on skimmers can work but they need special attachments to skim the water surface better and you usually don't get too much control out of them, plus you always get a size limitation.

Beckett style skimmers can work really well, however they require a large pump and high velocity, which means you're using much more power than you need to and you're not getting much contact time. Both of these are important for skimmer efficiency.

Best skimmer design in my opinion is the recirculating design; these skimmers usually use a smaller pump with a needle wheel impeller. Such pumps are Red dragon (bubble king) and Ehiem (Deltec). The Ehiem doesn't come with a needle wheel; Deltec modifies the pump with their own impeller which drives the price up. Ehiem is releasing a new pump soon with a needle wheel which should bring Deltec skimmer and pump prices down.

ASM skimmers are also good for the money, they use a needle wheel Sedra pump, they do not come as a recirculating skimmer but it's an easy mod to make.

Also I design and build custom skimmers, my skimmer design is not only recirculating but it's designed to work inline with the overflows. It draws the aerated water from the overflows and it goes through the pump first chopping up the air. This usually makes enough air for the skimmer to operate but there is still a venturi for additional air injection. I find this design to be unique and very efficient.

[MartinShaver]

What about brands like Coralife that you can find on the J&L website?

I am just starting up right now and I know everyone says buy what you can afford.

[sphelps]

What about brands like Coralife that you can find on the J&L website?

I am just starting up right now and I know everyone says buy what you can afford.

Never used them myself, but I think they are pretty good. Have you looked into ASM skimmers? They seem to be the best bang for the buck.

[MartinShaver]

ASM? I am really new to the reef tanks so I really dont know much about the brand names for equipment.

I need a cheap, good quality protein skimmer for a 20g tank I want to start. Any suggestions?

[Ryano]

i would say it all depneds on how long till you upgrade from a 20. If you gonna keep a 20 gallon saltwater tank forever a seaclone 150 should work or even a prizim.
Ryan Shirley

[scary gary]

I ran a 100 then a 150 seaclone on my 65 gal. for a few years. I had O.K results with them. I would run either on a 20 gal.

[Bayside Corals]

Honestly if you are looking for a cheaper skimmer then the Coralife super skimmers are the way to go. Don't waste your money on the Seaclone skimmers, because it would be a waste of money.


But if you can afford it like others said go with an ASM, Euroreef, or Deltec skimmer.

Best Regards,
Colby
________
LovelyWendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

[MartinShaver]

Dont get me wrong, I am not looking for real cheap, just something affordable.

So a Coralife is a good choice then..... hmmm

[Gonefishing]

I was just at a store in town ,I won't say the name, they had a seclone 100 for $300:hysterica it has to me a mistake. Im curently running a seclone 150 & it works good, after about 3 weeks of running it really started to take out the junk, it foams so much that it comes out the top breather hole, I empty the cup about every 3-4 days. Its not the most effecent skimmer & it is somewhat hard to cotrol but now that I got the hang of it its not bad. I will be upgrading I just got this on because I needed one asap. I think I would buy a ASM or a berlin. If I were you I save up & buy a really good one so that in the future you can get bigger tank & you'll have a good skimmer already. I wish I could have waited & buy a good one because now I wasted money allready on this 150. Coralife was my first choice for my first one but as I said I needed one asap & the 150 was in town.

[MartinShaver]

How long can I run a tank for without a skimmer? I am going to be buying live rock this weekend then setting up a tank to let it cure for a month or 2 before I add any fish. Will inverts be fine with no skimmer?

[Gonefishing]

I ran my tank for about 4 months without a skimmer. I got one of those fluval surface skimmers $20 & used it for my filter intake. Just have to maintain your filter more without a skimmer, you should be ok.

[Ryano]

honestly for a tank that small you could just do a water change weakly. That would pretty much take the place of a skimmer. Without a skimmer you need to water changes but as soon as you add a skimmer your tank requires very lilttle need for replacement of water.
Ryan Shirley

[MartinShaver]

Any info on seaclones? My instructor from school is willing so sell me his that he used for a month.

[wil0311]

I have nothing good to say about seaclones. If your going to get one get sphelps to build you one. I've seen his work and would definatley recommend it. Would really be money well spent. This is one area that everyone cheaps out in the start and in three months you'll be saying to yourself dam I wish I didn't waste my money on this seaclone. Exactly my experience.

[tcharger67]

amen, i bought a seaclone 150 which is supposed to do way more than what my tank is rated for, and it does nothing, and i mean nothing

[tango]

I was looking at buying a seaclone 150 when I first started then everyone says that they are a waste of money so I saved a little more and bought a way better skimmer.:banana:

[stinga]

I've had success with prizm,seaclone,and coralife(superskimmers)..And like the prizm the best..The surface skimmer attachment is a REALLY good addition.:crazy: FOR TANKS UNDER 20GAL WITH LITTLE OR NO FISH THESE WILL WORK.