Protein skimmer advise!

[natale29]

hello everyone!

I’m starting up a 40 gallon breeder FOWLR tank in the coming weeks and I’d like some advise on a hob protein skimmer. I will be adding plenty of live rock, and already purchased my live sand. I’m going to start without a sump as it suits my needs best, so I know I have to have a good amount of rock, good water flow, and a good hob skimmer. Eventually I do plan on making this a reef tank but I do not see that happening for months, maybe longer. I’m currently eyeing up the reef octopus BH50 because it is a good company, and relatively cost effective. My biggest question is, should I get a larger skimmer? It’s rated right at the size of my tank, so if I decide to have a “full tank” I’m concerned it may not be enough. Any recfomendations on brand or size would be so helpful! Ps.. trying to keep the skimmer around 150, but no higher than $200

 

[Reef-junky]

I would over size the skimmer to something around 80 gallons unless you plan on having a very light bio load. Skimmers are rated for light, medium, and heavy bio loads by the way. If the skimmer just says good up to 40 gallons and nothing else then they are giving you the max amount the skimmer can handle which would be a light bio load or very few fish.

 

[PatW]

The BH 50 is rated 30 gallons for a heavily stocked tank and 40 for a medium. The Reef Octopus classic 1000 is rated at a larger capacity. I got the ratings from the BRS web site.

 

[GoVols]

hello everyone!

I’m starting up a 40 gallon breeder FOWLR tank in the coming weeks and I’d like some advise on a hob protein skimmer. I will be adding plenty of live rock, and already purchased my live sand. I’m going to start without a sump as it suits my needs best, so I know I have to have a good amount of rock, good water flow, and a good hob skimmer. Eventually I do plan on making this a reef tank but I do not see that happening for months, maybe longer. I’m currently eyeing up the reef octopus BH50 because it is a good company, and relatively cost effective. My biggest question is, should I get a larger skimmer? It’s rated right at the size of my tank, so if I decide to have a “full tank” I’m concerned it may not be enough. Any recfomendations on brand or size would be so helpful! Ps.. trying to keep the skimmer around 150, but no higher than $200

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef and hope you feel at home

I used to run one of these and it was a great skimmer, but it's $30 over your budget.
https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax..._Nano_Skimmer-AquaMaxx-UJ94629-FIPSNS-vi.html

Good Luck and wish you the best.

 

[natale29]

I would over size the skimmer to something around 80 gallons unless you plan on having a very light bio load. Skimmers are rated for light, medium, and heavy bio loads by the way. If the skimmer just says good up to 40 gallons and nothing else then they are giving you the max amount the skimmer can handle which would be a light bio load or very few fish.

Thanks for the reply reef junky! I was thinking this from the start that I may need to just get a larger one. I know once I’ve got my tank stable I will want to have more than just a few fish, so I shouldnt skimp out on the skimmer, and get a larger one

 

[natale29]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef and hope you feel at home

I used to run one of these and it was a great skimmer, but it's $30 over your budget.
https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax..._Nano_Skimmer-AquaMaxx-UJ94629-FIPSNS-vi.html

Good Luck and wish you the best.

I was actually checking that one out, and it does have great reviews. It’s a little pricey, but if I cannot find a comparable skimmer at a cheaper cost I may splurge on this guy. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Jesterrace]

Personally I would also give a look at the Eshoppes PSK-75H or the PSK-100H as it is a pretty solid HOB skimmer. I had a PSK-75H on my 36 gallon bowfront and it was a bit touchy for the flow control but once I got it dialed in it was solid. Of all the HOB skimmers I have seen in it's class it looks and feels the most solidly built. The only downside is that they are fairly tall, so check the dimensions on your tank to make sure it will fit.

http://www.eshopps.com/products/proteinskimmer/hangon/psk75h/

 

[cmcoker]

Personally I would also give a look at the Eshoppes PSK-75H or the PSK-100H as it is a pretty solid HOB skimmer. I had a PSK-75H on my 36 gallon bowfront and it was a bit touchy for the flow control but once I got it dialed in it was solid. Of all the HOB skimmers I have seen in it's class it looks and feels the most solidly built.

http://www.eshopps.com/products/proteinskimmer/hangon/psk75h/

I like my psk75h, as well. I ran it on a 55g, and it worked well for me.
I am saving for the skimmer I want for my sumped tank, in the meantime, I threw the psk75h in my sump and it's been working well with slight modification

 

[natale29]

Personally I would also give a look at the Eshoppes PSK-75H or the PSK-100H as it is a pretty solid HOB skimmer. I had a PSK-75H on my 36 gallon bowfront and it was a bit touchy for the flow control but once I got it dialed in it was solid. Of all the HOB skimmers I have seen in it's class it looks and feels the most solidly built. The only downside is that they are fairly tall, so check the dimensions on your tank to make sure it will fit.

http://www.eshopps.com/products/proteinskimmer/hangon/psk75h/

Thanks for your response! I do not believe it will be an issue with my setup which is good. I dig some digging on this skimmer and it seems to be quite the good one, and it’s price is reasonable. I think this one, or the reef octopus classic 100 hob are my top two, with the aquamaxx following in third, because of its price point. Quick question also... while I’m in the process of cycling my tank, is it necessary to have my skimmer already? If I can, I was hoping to set the tank up, water, sand, rock, powerheads, etc and be able to add my skimmer on in the week following, or asap after it is all together?

 

[Maggie321]

Thanks for your response! I do not believe it will be an issue with my setup which is good. I dig some digging on this skimmer and it seems to be quite the good one, and it’s price is reasonable. I think this one, or the reef octopus classic 100 hob are my top two, with the aquamaxx following in third, because of its price point. Quick question also... while I’m in the process of cycling my tank, is it necessary to have my skimmer already? If I can, I was hoping to set the tank up, water, sand, rock, powerheads, etc and be able to add my skimmer on in the week following, or asap after it is all together?

I have the reef octopus classic 100. I love it! I have a 39g bowfront and it works like a charm. It took about 2 weeks to get it broke in, but now I have the hang of it pretty good. I know pretty much exactly how high to set the cup to get the color skimmate I am looking for. It's not necessary to have the skimmer running at first I believe, just be sure to leave room for when you do add it. I've had my tank up since June and I have completely disassembled it only 1 time, it was just to get a massive amount of pineapple sponges out. It was both easy to disassemble and reassemble. I like the fact that it's clear and I can see through it to see what's going on in there cause let's face it... It's so interesting! I am telling you all this but I have nothing else to compare it to, this is my first endeavor in the salt world. I think I'm doing somethg right, cause my tank is thriving. Good luck on your selection and I am sure you will make the right decision for your tank!

 

[Darryl]

Tunze 9004
works perfect for a 40

 

[Jesterrace]

Thanks for your response! I do not believe it will be an issue with my setup which is good. I dig some digging on this skimmer and it seems to be quite the good one, and it’s price is reasonable. I think this one, or the reef octopus classic 100 hob are my top two, with the aquamaxx following in third, because of its price point. Quick question also... while I’m in the process of cycling my tank, is it necessary to have my skimmer already? If I can, I was hoping to set the tank up, water, sand, rock, powerheads, etc and be able to add my skimmer on in the week following, or asap after it is all together?

You don't need or want the skimmer during cycling as there is nothing to skim. It's only after you add fish and start feeding the tank that you need it.

 

[TOReef82]

I have the reef octopus classic 100. I love it! I have a 39g bowfront and it works like a charm. It took about 2 weeks to get it broke in, but now I have the hang of it pretty good. I know pretty much exactly how high to set the cup to get the color skimmate I am looking for. It's not necessary to have the skimmer running at first I believe, just be sure to leave room for when you do add it. I've had my tank up since June and I have completely disassembled it only 1 time, it was just to get a massive amount of pineapple sponges out. It was both easy to disassemble and reassemble. I like the fact that it's clear and I can see through it to see what's going on in there cause let's face it... It's so interesting! I am telling you all this but I have nothing else to compare it to, this is my first endeavor in the salt world. I think I'm doing somethg right, cause my tank is thriving. Good luck on your selection and I am sure you will make the right decision for your tank!

I am new to the hobby and in the process of cycling my first tank. I bought a Reef Octopus 100 HOB Skimmer and have been running it from the get go (read that it's helpful to oxygenate the water). However I am unsure if I've tuned the skimmer appropriately. Is there a post/tutorial I can refer to. Reef Octopus doesn't have anything useful on their site.