Best Entry Level Skimmer?

The June FOTM Contest Poll is open!
FishForums.net Fish of the Month
🏆 Click to vote! 🏆

I have used CPR skimmers for a while and like them.

http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/bakpak.html

A shop owner suggested the Prizm is better, but I'm guessing it's not:

http://www.aquatichouse.com/Protein%20Skim...redseaprizm.asp

And I'm considering:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_protei...tem.asp?CartId=
because it looks cool

So... any recommendations?

I have used all three of those skimmers. I started out with the prizm (when I didn't know much about skimming I thought it was great) but it sucked. I was then recommended the CPR, I hated it. I thought it had alot of design flaws. I now use the super skimmer, and it is one of the best things that has happened to me, minus the replacement of the bubbletrap (which in my opinion doesn't work...) with my own mod which takes 20 minutes to make, if that.

In short, get the super skimmer, its not very expensive, and works very well due to its design. If you would like me to explain why let me know and I'll tell you. Or if you decide to take my word for it and would like to know how to make the bubbletrap mod, let me know :good:

EDIT: Haha, yes the super skimmer does look cool. It fits nicely in the niche behind my tank.
 
Buy a good skimmer, if you buy a crap skimmer you just have to spend more or risk killing your corals

A Deltec MCE 600 is excellent.

Steve
 
Buy a good skimmer, if you buy a crap skimmer you just have to spend more or risk killing your corals

Like the saying goes "buy it cheap, buy it twice" . Some things one should spend what they can to get the best they can (at that price). Since, you're looking at a CPR unit I'd say look at Turboflotor 1000 (T-1) in a HOB units. Spend a few extra bucks and live of PBJ and Top Ramen for a week :good: .
 
Buy a good skimmer, if you buy a crap skimmer you just have to spend more or risk killing your corals

Like the saying goes "buy it cheap, buy it twice" . Some things one should spend what they can to get the best they can (at that price). Since, you're looking at a CPR unit I'd say look at Turboflotor 1000 (T-1) in a HOB units. Spend a few extra bucks and live of PBJ and Top Ramen for a week :good: .

Ok, the Deltec is a very nice skimmer, so don't get me wrong, but for a 50gal it seems like it might be overkill. Same for my favorite, the ETSS 600, which I'd spring for if the tank was big.

Also, you should check out the newer CPR skimmers, they changed the pump on it and it's a much better now. Although, I'd never pay over $100 for it, its just not meant for a tank over 30ish gallons.. truly an entry-level skimmer.

Out of curiosity, what don't you all like about the CPR and what would you prefer at that price point? I think the Coralife super skimmer is a great deal at sub-$100 (if you buy online). I might go with that.
 
CPR - OK (not worth the cost)
Prism - Waste of plastic
Seaclone - Waste of Plastic
Coralife - Great value, possible tweaking requried
AquaC - Fantastic skimmer, a little pricey

Consider finding a used AquaC, if not, the Coralife is a great value.
 
Out of curiosity, what don't you all like about the CPR and what would you prefer at that price point? I think the Coralife super skimmer is a great deal at sub-$100 (if you buy online). I might go with that.
I didn't like the CPR bakpak for a few reasons. First off, it didn't seem to pull much out of the water, I felt like I had no control over it... The only sort of regulation was lowering or raising the collection cup. I didn't like the way it looked in my tank(the outlet made it look kindof tacy imo and I saw future problems with inverts screwing around with it) or the way it looked on the outside(it didn't fit well). Collection cup was also very tiny. The cost was also another issue, very pricey imo for the quality of the skimmer. I returned it for my Coralife Super Skimmer, and got over $50.00 in store credit. Super Skimmer works FAR better imo(note that I had purchased a newer model of the CPR), nice powerful pump, regulation valve, pulls a large amount of gunk from the water and looks nice. The only problem with the superskimmer was the bubble trap which I had to replace with a homemade mod which took me 20 minutes to make, and about 3 days to figure out that I made it wrong then tweak it.
 
I use the MCe600 on a 75 (uk) gallon reef, I feel it is better to overskim than underskim, that is the theory behing Berlin type filtration

I have used both the Prizm and Seaclone skimmers, I just didnt like the Prizm at all, and the Seaclone worked OK'ish after extensive modifications.

At the end of the day you pays your money and you takes your choice.

Steve :)
 
Hey Steve, are you a UK resident? Just curious cause as much as I like the Deltec skimmers, the cost for purchasing one here in the states is exhorbinant
 
Yup, in Lincolnshire

The MCe600 was the equivalent of $400 but it does outperform the base models and you can add Rowaphos or carbon to the media chamber.
Others are as good but cheaper but I need a hang-on skimmer
 
Figured, they're marked up a LOT here in the states. Pretty sure the MCE600 goes for around $600 :crazy:
 
What about the Deltec MCE500 (external) or MC500 (internal), cheaper than the 600 series, and probably better suited to your tank size?

I personally use the internal Tunze Nano DOC skimmer, because I didn't want an external hang on back type, works great and around £80 ish :good:
 
deltec have just released an entry level skimmer based on the MCE 600.....they have named it (very original) MCE 300!
by all acounts a pukka bit of kit and its only £130
 

Most reactions

Back
Top