Help selecting Protien Skimmer

[Angela1398]

I am setting up a 55g tank with fish and live rock once I gain more experince I want to turn into a reef system and I want everything I purchase to be ideal for a reef tank. I was looking at various skimmers and it appears that some skimmers are designer specific to reef and others not, (biological factor)? Can someone please recommend a good skimmer that is compatible in both systems. Although, I do not know much about skimmers from what I have read I think I would prefer a hang on design, I want something that is easy to use but that is also effective and dependable. Also, I currently have a 125g cichlid tank I may on day turn this into a saltwater tank is there a skimmer that would not be to powerful for a 55g but effective enough in the 125g. Thanks

 

[liquid]

Hi and Welcome to Reefs.org! 8)

Will you have a sump?

Shane

 

[Baianotang]

Well be ready to spend sone serious cash.
If that is of no regard I recomend you go for a Euro-Reef it'll cost you a cool $250 or more (marine depot) dont buy the smalest one, buy the one that folows (some inches higher),(good for the 135) more bang for the buck. Good luck.
Dont buy a cheapy as you'll have to change it later on, listen to me I'm on my third one. (well they are good for QT, hospital tank and the like).

 

[Baianotang]

And welcome to reef.org please make as many questions as you feel you need.

 

[insearch]

I would have to say what was a bigger problem for me was the availability of space. A hang on back (HOB) skimmer that size (135g) moves your tank away from the wall up to 10 inches. I perfer everything in the sump. I like the idea of nothing can leak but my sump.
I opted for the G Series G-1. It has a footprint of 9x9 and capacity on box is 150g. This skimmer kicks butt. I paid $224 for it. It is a spin off of euroreef. Partners split, yeah long story. Anoth plus is this thing is only 20"tall and is very easy to adjust.
I also hear that the Acua C EV-series is a kickass skimmer, but be prepaired to shell out an aditional $100 for this one and is not so easy on the initial set up if you are not familar with how exactly a skimmer works.

 

[ChrisV]

Get the euroreef, or lifereef skimmer. They are both expensive but worth the extra $$ spent. I use lifereef hang on for my 135 and euro ES5-3 for my 54 corner...

-CV

 

[Kevin1000]

The Aqua C Remora or Remora Pro are probably the best hang on skimmers for a 55 gallon tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Hang on design is what you perfer than i agree with Kevin on the AquaC Remora/Remora Pro. Although I have never used either I have heard nothing but good things about the Remora

 

[MI0706]

I have the AquaC Urchin Pro w/ mag drive 3 upgrade (it's the same thing as the Remora Pro except it is the in-sump version)... So far it has worked extremely well as compared to my old skimmer (CPR-Bakpak2)...

I got it from Marine depot for $230 (that's including the upgraded pump)...

HTH!!!

 

[shawnz28]

If you are going to use a hang on I agree use a Remora or a Remora Pro(the pro if you want to use it on a larger tank later). If you go insump a small Euroreef is a good easy skimmer, look into a ES5-3, great bang for the buck