Protien skimmers, an essential piece of equipment

Cumminz · 08-01-2007, 11:20 PM

hey guys im new to the whole saltwater thing and i am wondering what a good inexpensive brand of a protein skimmer is. thnx

1979camaro · 08-01-2007, 11:28 PM

It depends on the size of tank, but generally "good" and "inexpensive" don't go together.

Cumminz · 08-01-2007, 11:42 PM

125 gallon, what is a [U]Descent[U] inexpensive skimmer?

Lorna · 08-02-2007, 02:10 PM

An Aqua C Remora Pro hang on or Aqua C Remora Urchin insump will run about $250 and are good skimmers

Cumminz · 08-06-2007, 11:03 AM

I was looking at this skimmer, Kent Marine Nautilus TE Turbo Eductor Protein Skimmer What do you think?

trspann1 · 09-24-2007, 01:13 PM

I was curious on protein skimmer operation. Whenever I open the valve (even slightly) I still get micro-bubbles coming through into the tank. (I have a Red Sea Max I set up for my daughter). If I turn it down enough to where I don't see bubbles, I can't really tell if the skimmer is doing anything, as nothing is removed. Do these micro-bubbles harm anything in the tank? Or, do they actually add any oxygenation? I'm not sure what else I could do if this is a problem.

Verga · 02-16-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarrs

Hello everyone I am a newbee at this and I wandering if there is a way to build my own skimmer or should I purchase a new one. Also I was told to use ocean water in my tank instead of the salt mix. Can someone let me know which way to go. Thanks.

I wanted to add my $0.02 in on the topic. I built my own air-driven Skimmer:

It consists of a Red Sea Collection Cup and a plastic tube. In the tube is a replacement pre-filter for a pond pump with an air pump inside it. the entire thing is in a hang-on-the-back filter [cleaned regularly to keep nitrates < 10ppm] so except for the collection cup the entire thing is under water.

Works well. Empty the cup every three or so days when its about half full.

My thoughts about skimmers in general is to be a step ahead rather than play catch up. with my over the back filter, i collect a lot of the solid waste that i just rinse down the into the sink. I dont use the bio-pad though.

Plz tell me what you guys think.

TRe · 02-17-2008, 09:02 AM

looks very interesting..... hey if it works what can i say

sweetpickles7 · 02-18-2008, 04:07 PM

What skimmer would you guys recommend for a 29gal tank? I can seem to find a good one for it? I find either ones that are to small or ones that are to big?

Verga · 02-18-2008, 09:46 PM

im a fan of the simple air-driven skimmers. they are cheap and effective.

08-01-2007, 11:28 PM	#22
1979camaro Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 5,862	It depends on the size of tank, but generally "good" and "inexpensive" don't go together. __________________ "Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. " - Thomas Jefferson "In criticizing, the teacher is hoping to teach. That's all." - Bankei A Website Dedicated To My 90g Reef!

08-02-2007, 02:10 PM	#24
Lorna Super Fish Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 3,044	An Aqua C Remora Pro hang on or Aqua C Remora Urchin insump will run about $250 and are good skimmers __________________ 75g reef 29g reef Living the salty side of life

08-06-2007, 11:03 AM	#25
Cumminz Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: utah Posts: 90	I was looking at this skimmer, Kent Marine Nautilus TE Turbo Eductor Protein Skimmer What do you think? __________________ 125 Gal SW sitting in my garage waiting on the $

02-17-2008, 09:02 AM	#28
TRe Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ft. lauderdale Posts: 3,411	looks very interesting..... hey if it works what can i say __________________ 82g Reef 48x22x18 - 2 X 250w MH, MSX extreme 160, Aqua controller jr, Natureef doser/2 part, Koralia3 & modded MJ900, Po4 reactor, Kalk reactor, ATO, 60g sump/frag tank (4 bulb 24" T5's over frag tank) 125g for sale! 300g SOLD!

02-18-2008, 04:07 PM	#29
sweetpickles7 Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 1,228	What skimmer would you guys recommend for a 29gal tank? I can seem to find a good one for it? I find either ones that are to small or ones that are to big? __________________ 55gal SW 29gal FW

08-01-2007, 11:20 PM	#21
Cumminz Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: utah Posts: 90	hey guys im new to the whole saltwater thing and i am wondering what a good inexpensive brand of a protein skimmer is. thnx

08-01-2007, 11:42 PM	#23
Cumminz Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: utah Posts: 90	125 gallon, what is a [U]Descent[U] inexpensive skimmer?

09-24-2007, 01:13 PM	#26
trspann1 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Saginaw, MI Posts: 3	I was curious on protein skimmer operation. Whenever I open the valve (even slightly) I still get micro-bubbles coming through into the tank. (I have a Red Sea Max I set up for my daughter). If I turn it down enough to where I don't see bubbles, I can't really tell if the skimmer is doing anything, as nothing is removed. Do these micro-bubbles harm anything in the tank? Or, do they actually add any oxygenation? I'm not sure what else I could do if this is a problem.

02-18-2008, 09:46 PM	#30
Verga Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	im a fan of the simple air-driven skimmers. they are cheap and effective. __________________ What's the point of lying in a comfortable position, if you cant fall asleep in it? -i supose to gaze into a fish tank.