Good Hang on Skimmers

[joefish]

Anyone know off a good hang on skimmer??? It will be for a 90g reef. I dont care about money. I just would like a skimmer that will do a good job and that is compact in size too............Thanks Joe

 

[nichols]

Aqua c remora with mag 3 pump.
http://www.aquacave.com/aquac-remor...with-drain-fitting--mag-drive-3-pump-913.html

 

[joefish]

I was thinking of getting this skimmer for my 90g reef tank, Bak-Pack Dual Pack It would be the one for $239 what does everyone think about it???

http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_Bak_..._Protein_Skimmers-CPR-CR1111-FIPSHOVS-vi.html

 

[AV8er]

I used the bak-pak for about 2 years on an old tank and I wasn't thrilled with its performance. The collection cup requires constant adjustment and the unit can be very sensitive to water height... and even when it was it was functioning at peak, it wasn't that great. It eventually became a mini fuge.

As far as HOB choices go, I've heard good things about the Aqua C Remora, but haven't used it myself.

 

[joefish]

I used the bak-pak for about 2 years on an old tank and I wasn't thrilled with its performance. The collection cup requires constant adjustment and the unit can be very sensitive to water height... and even when it was it was functioning at peak, it wasn't that great. It eventually became a mini fuge.

As far as HOB choices go, I've heard good things about the Aqua C Remora, but haven't used it myself.

Ok! that is good to know thanks AV8er. I am looking for the best bank for my buck. I just don't want a piece of crap like the last one I got.

 

[AV8er]

Ok! that is good to know thanks AV8er. I am looking for the best bank for my buck. I just don't want a piece of crap like the last one I got.

Yeah, I don't blame you... CPR makes good products, but their skimmers just aren't the best. I also remember hearing good things about Deltec's HOB skimmers... they are pretty pricey, but worth it from what I hear (it's called the mce-600... they also make a "300" model, I believe).

 

[jimrawr]

I have the Aqua C Remora HOB and it works well I think. Not to hijack, but can anyone tell me if HOB skimmers need to be cleaned out once in awhile? I imagine the bottom of it is filled with crap that settled and its decomposing there.. ?

 

[joefish]

I used the bak-pak for about 2 years on an old tank and I wasn't thrilled with its performance. The collection cup requires constant adjustment and the unit can be very sensitive to water height... and even when it was it was functioning at peak, it wasn't that great. It eventually became a mini fuge.

As far as HOB choices go, I've heard good things about the Aqua C Remora, but haven't used it myself.

I hope for all most $300 its as good as you guys are saying. Is this the one???

http://www.amazon.com/AquaC-Protein...2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1284681023&sr=8-2

 

[Bruno]

http://www.saltysupply.com/Super-Reef-Octopus-LX2000s-Hang-on-Protein-Skimmer-p/oc91212.htm

 

[joefish]

WOW! Bruno some of those skimmers look like they could skim a pool.

I have been looking at this skimmer to, doe's anyone out there have this one???
http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Medic-Tu...?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1284734726&sr=8-14

 

[gweston]

I have an Remora (not the larger Pro model) with a maxijet 1200 on my 29gal system. It works quite well. If you have it on your display, you may want to consider the remora overflow option. The overflow helps a LOT with surface skimming. I currently don't have that option, but I do have a sump plumbed in with an overflow there, so that helps. When new, the remora can throw a -lot- of microbubbles in the tank, but they will go away once the thing settles. It was unnerving at first. I took eggrate and filter material and made sort of a basket doohickey that captured the skimmer output. This knocked the bubbles down to almost nothing. When the skimmer settled, I removed it.

If you want a pic of that simple bubble capture device, I can snap one and post it. It is nothing more than an eggcrate cover with a small eggcreate basket tied onto it.

About cleaning HOB skimmers.. supposedly they do need to be cleaned every so often. I have yet to do mine and it has been some 4 months since I got it. No performance impact. One silly thing I noticed is if I turn the skimmer off for a feeding or whatever.. sometimes when I turn it back on I dislodge pineapple sponges that are stuck in the skimmer. Apparently they like it in there.

If you are considering the Remora, read up on the Remora noise mod. There are discussions about it out there. Sometimes it is known as the 'paper towel fix'. It is a simple mod that makes the skimmer a great deal quieter. A silly and easy mod, but it makes a very notable noise difference. That is the only odd quirk I have found with that skimmer. The mod has no affect on performance.

 

[itz216]

AquaC pro

I have an AquaC Pro and have run it with a Maxijet1200 and Mag3. The Mag3 definitely is the way to go. The AquaC relies on forcing water at high speed and the Maxijet, IMO, just wasn't up to the task.

A side note: I'm also running a Red Sea Prism HOB in sump along with the AquaC (also in sump). It's a bit finicky, but dialed in it pulls great. And you can bump it up or down to skim wet or less-wet. Purchased used for $40 and running strong 2 years later ...well worth it, IMO.

 

[joefish]

I have an Remora (not the larger Pro model) with a maxijet 1200 on my 29gal system. It works quite well. If you have it on your display, you may want to consider the remora overflow option. The overflow helps a LOT with surface skimming. I currently don't have that option, but I do have a sump plumbed in with an overflow there, so that helps. When new, the remora can throw a -lot- of microbubbles in the tank, but they will go away once the thing settles. It was unnerving at first. I took eggrate and filter material and made sort of a basket doohickey that captured the skimmer output. This knocked the bubbles down to almost nothing. When the skimmer settled, I removed it.

If you want a pic of that simple bubble capture device, I can snap one and post it. It is nothing more than an eggcrate cover with a small eggcreate basket tied onto it.

About cleaning HOB skimmers.. supposedly they do need to be cleaned every so often. I have yet to do mine and it has been some 4 months since I got it. No performance impact. One silly thing I noticed is if I turn the skimmer off for a feeding or whatever.. sometimes when I turn it back on I dislodge pineapple sponges that are stuck in the skimmer. Apparently they like it in there.

If you are considering the Remora, read up on the Remora noise mod. There are discussions about it out there. Sometimes it is known as the 'paper towel fix'. It is a simple mod that makes the skimmer a great deal quieter. A silly and easy mod, but it makes a very notable noise difference. That is the only odd quirk I have found with that skimmer. The mod has no affect on performance.

I saw the overflow option. If that box go's into the tank and the pump go's inside there, then were does the skimmer go???

 

[gweston]

The overflow box sits inside the tank. The pump is inside that. That connects to the skimmer that hangs on the back of the aquarium. The skimmer itself isn't inside. The water output just flows out of the skimmer and into the overflow box. There is a pump section and a water return section to reduce bubbles. So it serves two purposes. Surface skimming -and- reducing micro-bubbles. I don't own one so haven't used one personally.

 

[sdesi2005]

I've tried the remora as well, worked well, much better with the mag3, and the overflow box is a must, for both better skimming, and bubble reduction.

Your original post says your not concerned with cost, some of the reef octopus skimmers from Bruno's link look really good. I'd give one of those a try. Especially if your talking for a larger tank. I think 90gal is just too big for a remora.

 

[delta]

I saw the overflow option. If that box go's into the tank and the pump go's inside there, then were does the skimmer go???

The box has two compartment but it rather useless as it has a hole in the bottom, a surface skimmer works much better and only cost about 10 bucks

The AquaC Remora's lacks air control. I love their AquaC EV series but the Octopus HOB skimmers put the Remora to shame, you can include most all other HOB skimmers as well.

 

[joefish]

I've tried the remora as well, worked well, much better with the mag3, and the overflow box is a must, for both better skimming, and bubble reduction.

Your original post says your not concerned with cost, some of the reef octopus skimmers from Bruno's link look really good. I'd give one of those a try. Especially if your talking for a larger tank. I think 90gal is just too big for a remora.

Yea! I know The octopus looks like a really good skimmer but why doe's it come in red I would want black so it will blend in more. I'm also thinking its a little to big. So your thinking that the Remora will not get the job done. eeekk!! I starting to go skimmer crazy.

 

[joefish]

Anyone else have a good hang on skimmer that would be good for a 90g reef and I would want black not red hehehe. Sorry Bruno

 

[gajopo]

I've got a Remora pro that I modded to have the pump under the tank. I also made a surface skimmer/bubble trap that works great. I cut out some of the acrylic so my diy drain fitting on the collection cup would clear the side. Not factory pretty but it works. I ran a Mag 5 dialed back a little. Yours for 40 bucks without a pump

 

[wrassefan]

I use a Deltec HOB skimmer....works pretty well but it is only on a low nutrient 25gal