What do you consider to be the best Protein Skimmer?

[Dirt4dinner]

I am in NO way attempting to start a debate here. I just want to know what you consider to be the best protein skimmer on the market at this time for my new tank. I am thinking about getting a new one for my 70 gallon, it is going to be an insump set up...let me know what you think would be best. Thanks for the advice! -DIRT

[sticky]

Yes I would like to know as well on this topic. I have the CPR AquaFuge Pro and it has a Skimmer built in to the setup, but I would like to add an additional skimmer at the pump end of the tank.

I have a 55G tank, but I am looking for a larger rated Skimmer to help keep it clean.

[perpetual98]

Without trying to start a debate either, I think that the best skimmers out there are the Deltec skimmers. MyReefCreations and Euro-Reef are really good. ASM skimmers are Euro-Reef clones for the most part. I think the Berlin skimmers are good, and I think I've heard good things about the Coralife skimmers, but I'm not sure, maybe I'm thinking of another kind.

[jerryc]

I believe all the ones perpetual listed or good skimmers I'm plaining
on getting a ASM for my 75 I'm setting up.
My reason i believe it is the best for the price.

[Fatman]

I have the coral life skimmer the 75$ one, and as long as you adjust the setting on it every 4 to 6 days (due to evaporation) I see no problems with it. The minor bubbles it releases is annoying but it has a trap for this, and seems to be working as well as possible.

[dakar]

Any decent skimmer *can* work and perform well.... but some just require more tuning and in general playing around with or making minor modifications to maintain contant water levels and such to reach the point of acceptable or better performance.

Personally, I like the Berlin style, the multiple chambers the water must traverse *seems* to allow for more contact time with the air bubbles. But with that being said my airstone driven skimmer really rocks too, too bad the air pump is the lousest part of that whole system now. But if I get my hands on a very large air pump I like to do a side by side comparison between the Berlin and an equally sized airstone hacked DIY type skimmer.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Fatman]

Any decent skimmer *can* work and perform well.... but some just require more tuning and in general playing around with or making minor modifications to maintain contant water levels and such to reach the point of acceptable or better performance.

Personally, I like the Berlin style, the multiple chambers the water must traverse *seems* to allow for more contact time with the air bubbles. But with that being said my airstone driven skimmer really rocks too, too bad the air pump is the lousest part of that whole system now. But if I get my hands on a very large air pump I like to do a side by side comparison between the Berlin and an equally sized airstone hacked DIY type skimmer.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Yeah Dakar makes a good point, they all seem to be based on their "tuning" requirements, and as he said if you tune even the cheapest one everyday I dont see why it shouldnt work as the most expensive ones.

[Reptoreef]

The main thing about a skimmer is bubble size and reaction time... the skimmer body is a basic definition of where the main reaction happens and where the waste is sent for separation.A "cheapo" skimmer and stock pump w/ the addition of a high end needlewheel pump(for a recirculating effect-recirc style) can bring some serious abilities to the once "cheapo" skimmer.

[jerryc]

That is the reason i don't like the low end skimmers
I'm a set it and forget it kind of person

[davejnz]

I'd also like to point out,even your high-end skimmers won't perform well if they're not an optimum location.I have an ER skimmer with a Sedra3500 that is located/setup optimally.I can get 20oz(1 1/4 collection cup) of skimmate a day from it.I also have a brand new ASM G-2 with Sedra3500 on my new 75gal thats in an open sump with turbulent flow and an unstable water level.It barely gets a collection cup in 1 week.

[Dirt4dinner]

Dave...I think you better give me a REALLY GOOD deal on that G2 then...thats the one I have been considering the most! -DIRT

[davejnz]

Tyler,i wasn't trying to say ASM isn't a good skimmer.I just wanted to point out that even GOOD skimmers don't work well if they're not setup properly,
One more thing,if your thinking about the G2,then i would just go ahead and kick out the extra $30-40 for the G3.In hindsight,I wish i would have just went with the G3.It comes with the stronger Sedra 5000,that pump alone i've heard costs $100.

[carpenterwrasse]

just ordered the coralife superskimmer 125 from fosters and smith with shipping it came to 140.....worth it???

[Dirt4dinner]

Thanks for the advice everyone, after weighing the options, and the budget. I ordered the ASM G3 with the circulation mod, and gate valve mod done at the factory. A very nice set up I would say...especially for a 70 gallon tank! I will let you all know what I think once I get it! Thanks, DIRT

[MedicMike]

:) sweet

[PurpleAardvark]

I like the asm's for their simplicity, but a MRC will pull out more waste it just takes a lot more tweeking and getting use to on the skimmer.

[graphixx]

I run ASM, euroreef and a coralife. in all honesty the coralife is a machine, like stated above you have to adjust a little due to evaporation but that thing works like a champ!!!!

[mutts]

i don't know which is better but i want to put this here for someone else sake. leave the seaclones alone. they are not worth what you save in price.

but that is my opion... also many others when i talk to the few people i know in person and they ask what kind of skimmer i have, i tell them, and then i get "I'm sorry."

[PurpleAardvark]

You can mod a seaclone if you have one mutts to make it better. But I agree with you they arn't worth the price.

[mutts]

i keep that hope alive that with every over flow or mess up it brings me closer to a new and better one... we all have dreams

[dakar]

I have to ammend my previous note, I still like the Red Sea Berlin style skimmer, but have had a Coralife 125 superskimmer running on a 45g tank for a few months now hang-on style until a ge the sump built, for $100 or so I wasn't expecting a while lot, but she does a great job of filling the collection cup daily with some VERY nasty skimmate.

[PurpleAardvark]

You could always put it on the floor and accidently do the Mexican hat dance on it.:D

[unleashed]

i had realy good results with the kent nuatilus TE in my 120 reef I now use external skimmers do to lack of in sump spacing.it was easy to adjust for dry skimming(which i prefer).it did do the job very well

[FIL]

If you are looking for a nice HOT unit, I think my AquaC Remora works great.

Phil

[Kenny_Graham]

I was going to say I had good luck with a Deluxe Prizm Skimmers. I'm to late....