Protein Skimmer Recommendations for a beginning 55 gal

[mwillmon]

I just wanted some opinions on what protein skimmers I should be looking at getting for my first 55 gal reef? Any suggestions on what to buy for a good price or what not to buy. At this point in time I am not looking to buy something that will alow me to upgrade in the future, just something for this tank. Thanks for the expertise.

 

[t-byrd]

i use a cpr bakpak in my 55g, and it works fine.
or an aqua c remora good ont too ive heard
these are both hang on the tank.
are you going to have a sump?

 

[oimate84]

If you havent started your reef setup yet, think about having a sump under your tank to accomate all equipment. The less clutered your tank looks the better. About the skimmer, if your going to have a sump, look into an ETSS reefdevil or AquaC if you got the cash. Remember you are better off getting a good skimmer if your making an investment on a reef setup. If your not having a sump, get a CPR bakpak...Anything besides a Seaclone...lol

 

[mwillmon]

I was planning on having a sump, because I really wanted to have as little as possible hanging onto the aquarium itself. I have seen the reefdevil ps's and they are fairly expensive. Are there any other recommended ps's that are a little cheaper?

I have also seen some that come with a RIO pump. But I've heard that these have a reputation of putting copper into the water and killing life. Is this true? Anyone had any of these experiences?

 

[wombat1]

I've never had a rio crap out on me but I've heard it happens a lot. Your ps really depends on what you plan on keeping also. SPS corals?? You need a heavy duty skimmer. LPS or soft corals?? You can probably get away with a bakpak or relatively light skimming. Some people even do no skimming and have a refugium with lots of macroalgae for nutrient export with good success.

 

[Len]

I have been shocked and/or burned by not one, not two, not three, but nine Rios. So yes, they suck.

Good in-sump skimmers for a 55 gallon that are affordable include the Turboflotor T1000, Tunze 220, and Euroreef CS6-1, all cheaper then $300 with pump. I also like them in that order, and coincedentally (or maybe not so coincedentally) they are listed in order of price (cheapest to most expensive).

 

[Len]

btw:

WELCOME TO REEFS.ORG!