What is your favorite protien skimmer?

Dani · 01-21-2006, 12:47 PM

Since I'm looking to buy one, I want to know what everyone's favorites are.

The only recommend I've had so far is an AquaRemora ( i think that's what it was)

So, what kind of protein skimmer are you using and why do/don't you like it?
How loud is it?
Effeciency?
Cost?
Size?

flashardy · 01-21-2006, 12:53 PM

I like the Euro Reefs
It is not loud at all.
Cost was 200 but that was from a local reffer (thanks R3)

100

6"

20"

8.5" x 10"

1 x SP2

28W

420

1.25"

Probably less then 2bucks a month running it?

Hope this helps?
CLH

reef_noob · 01-21-2006, 12:56 PM

I have a myreefcreations mr-1. www.myreefcreations.com
Andy at Myreef makes awesome skimmers.

Pros:
It could skim pure water and still pull out gunk.
Well designed.
Rock solid.
Easy to clean.
More than I'll ever need for this tank.

Cons:
a little pricey(300 shipped).
somewhat large footprint.
pcx-30 pump is fairly loud (of course, mine is outside the stand. if kept inside the stand it would be much quieter.)
Dialing it in can be a bit tricky (lots of minor adjustments until it is "just right")

The thing to keep in mind is the type of corals you are wanting to keep. If you want to keep softies and maybe some lps, an aquac remora pro or urchin pro would be plenty. If you hope to keep sps, you need a very efficient skimmer like an MRC, euroreef, precision marine.

Dani · 01-21-2006, 01:01 PM

Whoa flashardy-what are all those numbers for?

You can keep skimmers in your sump, right? So, Chris, what would be the benefit to keeping it outside the stand?

I'd like to be able to keep everything, but that's a whole other topic. I got the 'bare minimum' when buying my lights and now I regret it. So perhaps I should go with a more versatile skimmer so I have options...

three90s&125sump · 01-21-2006, 01:04 PM

I'm using a ASM g-6. Its freakin awsome.

I just filled my tank up and in the first hour of running (in pure RO and oceanic salt water mix no live rock nothing else) it pulled out a gallon of gunk. Its still getting gunk out. Its set pretty low too I have it turned way down, I could turn it down more but its not nearly close to be at full eficiency.

Its pretty loud but it has 3 sedra 9000 pumps on it, but its not as loud as a single mag18.

It cost me about $700 shipped. But, I think it was worth every penny of that and more.

Its huge, 4 feet tall 8" reaction chamber.. I have my sump in the basement so it doesn't matter.

Its is extremly efficient as stated above.

The way it is designed it is set it and forget it. Very nice.

I will never risk another skimmer company, I will only buy ASMs as long as they keep making them.

craigGP · 01-21-2006, 01:05 PM

i think you should narrow the topic to "hang on" type of skimmer if that is what you are looking for. that is what the remora is. if you have a sump, then leave it open ended as currently stated.

if HOB type is what you want, the coralife super skimmer is well thought of. i have one and like it.

if you want an "in sump" type of skimmer, i agree with the euroreef recommendation. ASM is a euroreef knockoff that is a little cheaper if you are looking at the bigger models. i haven't noticed that great of a price difference in the smaller models...

all three of these brands are similar technology (needle-wheel type), so they all should be relatively quiet, energy effecient (doesn't take a high powered pump), and produce good results.

reef_noob · 01-21-2006, 01:10 PM

Personally, i'm not a fan of needle wheel skimmers, but that's just my opinion. I like the beckett style(like MRC).

>You can keep skimmers in your sump, right? So, Chris, what would be the benefit to keeping it outside the stand?

My pump is an external pump, and I have no room for it under the stand. In fact my enture sump isn't under the stand The skimmer is in the sump, but the pump is external.

Dani · 01-21-2006, 01:19 PM

hmmm...this is so much WORK!!

CraigGP-to answer your question: I'm not sure what I want. I'm looking at starting a sump, so I just figured I wouldn't want a HOB type. I mean, if you have a sump, your skimmer should most likely be in it, right? (If it fits)

three90s&125sump- FOUR FEET TALL!! That's huge! I'm guessing that is for all your tanks, right? Hoping so, cause I definitly need something smaller. I need for it to fit in the stand.

So everyone is talking about their protein skimmer and pump(s). So I need a pump in addition to the skimmer to run it? (Making a total of 2 pumps in the sump-one for the skimmer and one for the return?) Don't they come with pumps attached?

Dani · 01-21-2006, 01:21 PM

What is the difference between a beckett style and a needle wheel style?
Loudness? Cost? Size?

reef_noob · 01-21-2006, 01:26 PM

Here is my skimmer and the pump that runs it (I know...a bit messy right now)

reef_noob · 01-21-2006, 01:28 PM

To be honest, a big beckett or needle wheel skimmer is probably too much for what you want to do. I think an aqua c urchin pro (it's the same as the remora, but sits in the sump) would be a really good skimmer for a 46g with lps and softies.

Dani · 01-21-2006, 01:35 PM

So, what kind of style is the aqua c urchin pro?
Ya, that's a big skimmer.
Is the pump the blue thing in the second picture?
So I do need a pump to run the skimmer, they don't have built-in pumps? And if I went with the Aqua C Urchin Pro, what kind of pump would I need?
Now I see why reef-ready tanks are so convienent.
thanks for all the help, I'd be TOTALLY lost without it!!

reef_noob · 01-21-2006, 01:41 PM

The urchin pro comes with a pump, either a rio or a mag drive. I'd get the mag, they're more reliable. Marinedepot carries the urchin at a fairly reasonable price. http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ro.asp?CartId=

Here is the manufacturers site: http://www.proteinskimmer.com/products/Urchin.htm

Dani · 01-21-2006, 02:03 PM

Okay- I took a look at the link.
I see that they sell them with a drain fitting option. What is this and do I need/want it?
They are saying that you need no additional equiptment for this skimmer. Basically I can just plop it in my sump, right?
I'm kinda thinking about the urchin Pro, so if I ever upgrade my tank size, I can still use it (if my upgrade is smaller than 120 gal), or would this be a waste of money?
can I possibly keep sps with this skimmer?
Yes, I'd definitely go with the mag, I've hear too many horror stories about rios.

reef_noob · 01-21-2006, 02:10 PM

the drain fitting is so that you can run a hose from the collection cup to a waste container. It's nice to have but not necessary. basically, it allows you to go longer between emtying/cleaning the collection cup. In my experience with a remora, it wasn't super useful as emptying and cleaning the cup was a simple task. It is handy however if you plan on going away for a few days.

As for sps, there are a lot of issues with keeping them, water quality being only one of them. With sufficient light, enough flow, weekly water changes, reasonable feeding and good live rock husbandry, the urchin would probably be sufficient. The thing about a high end skimmer is that it keeps the water cleaner, which means you can be a bit more lax on some of the other requirements for sps.