Best Protein Skimmer?

[navy]

OK I've been reading up on Protein Skimmers but I am still unsure on which one is best. I am from Australia and would like something for 300L - 600L tank (for when I upgrade). I want something that isn't too noisy and too high maintenance, and of course something that does a good job! Would $300 be enough for a good one?

I am looking for one that hangs off the tank

Any recommendations would be fantastic thanks!

 

[Adrinal]

I'm not from the land down under, but you could check to see if Octopus distributes (or has a distributer there). Chinese knock-off of the ER and ASM. Not the strongest, good design and works well; it is a great bang for buck skimmer.

 

[navy]

Yes they do sell the Octopus brand 'down' here lol. I was looking at that model. Thanks, I might go with that one. Hmm not sure about the knock offs LOL.

 

[Colin_T]

I haven't yet found a good shop bought skimmer. There are plenty that claim to be great and they have brand names too. But they are seriously lacking in credibilty as far as I am concerned.
One of the best skimmers I have seen was a home made version on my cousins tank. It was simply a length of 4inch diameter PVC pipe with a collection cup on top. The water drained from the miain tank into the side of the skimmer near the top. It flowed down the skimmer and out the bottom. In the skimmer were a couple of airstones.
That skimmer removed more gunk from any tank than any store bought skimmer I have seen.
One of my LFS built their own as well. They used clear acrylic pipe about 6inches in diameter and about 4ft high. They had a water pump with an airline attached (creating a venturi) at the bottom. The water flowed in from the top and out the bottom.
Some of the marine forums have plans on building your own. They are generally a lot cheaper and more effective than store bought models.

 

[navy]

OMG Colin...waaaay too advanced for me! LOL. I'm just trying to get my head around how a skimmer works! Once I see it in action I'm sure I'll gain a better understanding. I wish I could make my own, would save me money!!! But for now I think store bought is the only way for me! I will buy online tho, as if I would go to the LFS...bunch of idiots most of them!

 

[Colin_T]

A skimmer is simply a tube where water and airbubbles mix. The air bubbles come in contact with protein (from fish food and waste) in the water and hold it at the surface. At the top of the skimmer is a container that collects the protein air bubbles (it is called a collection cup).
There are several types of skimmer, basic air operated skimmers, and power skimmers. The air operated ones use an airpump to blow bubbles inside the skimmer and do a reasonable job. The power skimmers use a water pump to pump air and water into the skimmer. They work a lot faster than the air operated ones.
A lot of the cheaper skimmers are made from a brittle plastic that can crack or chip when you take them apart to clean. If you have a look at your LFS you might be abe to see what I am talking about. The cracking or fracturing generally occurs around the top of the skimmer where the collection cup goes.
Before you buy a skimmer try to put the brand on here and the people on here can check it out. Otherwise go for the ones being advised above.

 

[navy]

thanks colin, that makes more sense to me than any book I've read! Hmmm well I might go for a power one I guess....

 

[Adrinal]

I work with acrylic all the time.

Skimmers are a PITA to do right.

Needle wheels are very solid at this point. With their low watt consumption and low noise, they make the best home skimmers.

 

[navy]

What about the AquaC Remora Pro w/ Mag 3?

http/cgi.ebay.com.au/AquaC-Remora-Pro-w-...1QQcmdZViewItem

I am after a hang on skimmer as I will not have a sump at this point in time. It seems to have got good reviews, it seems pretty easy for beginners....what do you guys think?

 

[Colin_T]

The AquaC remora is American and could be a problem if something goes wrong with it. It is also expensive.
I checked out my LFS today and saw a Queen-TS2000 internal skimmer for $99.00, not including pump. A Tunze internal for about $300 and a reefoctopus for about $210.
The Queen is a good skimmer but lives inside the tank. I have a Tunze and don't think it is very efficient without some modifications. I haven't used a reefoctopus but they have been recommended above. They are however, made of the brittle acrylic so care must be taken when disassembling them for cleaning.

 

[steelhealr]

Deltec 'over there' and AquaC make good protein skimmers. SH

 

[SkiFletch]

AquaC does make a great skimmer but man was that a lot of cash for shipping. Suppose you guys are used to that in Australia to some degree but yikes. Deltec also makes a good Hang On with their MCE 300. And although not hang-ons, Tunze's internal skimmers (like the 9002) are also good. I've never heard of an Aussie finding the TMC models down under, although they're a decent option in the UK. The other common hang-ons (Jebo, CPR, Prism, and Seaclone) aren't worth their weight in plastic IMO.

 

[navy]

Thanks guys, I had a budget for $1000 for set up (as I already have the tank etc) and just for the extra 'marine equipment' that is well over $1K not including sand, salt and live stock! The problem is I do not want to buy cheap nasty stuff that either isn't as good or is hard to clean etc. Like the Powerheads...I want the Tunze ones but they are soooo expensive!!! And I want an RO Unit because in the long run its cheaper then buying the water from the LFS.

I knew marine wasn't cheap....but yikes! I do not want to go back to freshwater just coz I can't afford marine (at the moment)...its just not the same

 

[Musho3210]

you want something quiet, well i wouldnt get an aquaC then, they are known to be quite loud (unless you do a mod).

 

[svirid]

I have AquaC Remora and I am very pleased with it I got it here

<a href="http/www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_p...uct_ID=ps-acrem" target="_blank">http/www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_p...uct_ID=ps-acrem</a>

they also have AquaC remora pro. Its my first skimmer so I cant really compare it with anything else,
I know this guys have an execelent customer support and they are ready to send u any detail to your skimmer at any time when u need.
they helped me to set it up properly.
It makes a little noise of the water being injected inside it so it does not bother me much compare to the sound I had with
hangon filter, it was crazy u can hear a water fall.

I love the design and in my case I needed something hang-on with the small cup compare to some other skimmers.

P.S. I dont know if u can hear other skimmers but this one u can hear a little.

By the way I noticed u looking for RO unit I got this one from Florida very good and have it for 6 month already
http/www.purelyh2o.com/product.php?produ...at=0&page=2