Protein skimmers

[Zbass]

What size would you recommend for a protein skimmer for a 65 gallon tank? I don't have a lot of coral yet but I have anthias and I feed a lot.. just tested my phosphates and they were at 1 so I really need some more filtration but I don't want to over do and bottom everything out.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Each manufacturer lists the size you need for X number of gallons and how heavy your bioload is.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do you have a particular brand in mind? Is this in sump or hang on back? Need more information on what you're looking for
Me, I always recommend Reef Octopus INT skimmers as I have experience with them and have had nothing but good results with them.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Do you have a particular brand in mind? Is this in sump or hang on back? Need more information on what you're looking for
Me, I always recommend Reef Octopus INT skimmers as I have experience with them and have had nothing but good results with them.

I second the reef octopus INT. I bought one several days ago and it’s already pulling out lots of nasties. Well built, easy to use.

 

[Zbass]

Do you have a particular brand in mind? Is this in sump or hang on back? Need more information on what you're looking for
Me, I always recommend Reef Octopus INT skimmers as I have experience with them and have had nothing but good results with them.

sump. redsea 250 g2. been looking at bubble magus, redsea and the octopus one lol
3 brands that ive noticed being most popular

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

skimmer won't get rid of phosphate, only some type of gfo like rowa phos or phosguard will do that. But a skimmer is a great tool that provides the extra benefit of oxygenating the water while it filters it.

 

[Zbass]

sump. redsea 250 g2. been looking at bubble magus, redsea and the octopus one lol
3 brands that ive noticed being most popular

Curve 5 Elite Protein Skimmer Sicce SK-200 - Bubble Magus would this be too big of a skimmer. I don't wanna over do it and bottom everything out​

 

[BryanM]

sump. redsea 250 g2. been looking at bubble magus, redsea and the octopus one lol
3 brands that ive noticed being most popular

I am happy with my redsea skimmer, dc 600.

As noted, this won't help phosphate, and 1 phosphate is quite high.

 

[areefer01]

I'll be that person

• Do not let the price sway your decision
• Focus on build quality
• Spend time reading factual reviews
• Do not let the minimum or maximum display size recommendation play a major role (quality trumps all)
• Ask yourself if you are going to upgrade and if so, when. If you say no ask the question again but be honest this time
• Know up front that larger skimmers have use DC pumps to manage. You can also use timers or controllers to alternate days of the week the skimmer runs

The long and short of it is that a skimmer is something that you can buy once. When done right it will last as long as your tenure in the hobby. Display today, tomorrow, and 20 years from now. That is why I suggest ignore the price and size but focus on quality and honest feedback.

I did this exercise back in 2000 and I'm using that same skimmer today on a much larger system. It will be carried forward on the next upgrade which again will be larger. The only thing I've had to replace is the pump. I have a similar experience with a smaller skimmer that I use for observation or grow out of captive bred/raised fish. Easy to remove, clean, and place on a garage shelf.

TL; DR - a skimmer when purchased properly will outlast the hobbyist. Look at used also. I left that off the bullets above, sorry.

Have a great day.

 

[Pistondog]

What size would you recommend for a protein skimmer for a 65 gallon tank? I don't have a lot of coral yet but I have anthias and I feed a lot.. just tested my phosphates and they were at 1 so I really need some more filtration but I don't want to over do and bottom everything out.

I have a reef octo elite. It has a varios pump which allows another dial to tweak when tuning. It also has a drain connection in the collection cup that is hosed to a 1 gallon external jug.
VEry easy to tune, wet or dry.

 

[Featherweight]

In that same tank I'm running the simplicity 110 or whatever the little one is. It's really consistent and fits well in that sump. While maybe not top choice, if you found a deal I'd not hesitate
I run a big reef octo too. It's pretty dang good.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Buying too large a skimmer will not bottom out your nutrients. It simply will not work. The key is to buy the correct size.

Phosphates can be decreased by GFO or a refugium or an algae scrubber.

 

[reeftivo]

reef octo 110 or a bubble magus curve 5 elite are fine choices. if you want to splurge and have some extra cash on hand you can always look at the bubble king double cone 130 with the XDC red dragon pump. Mine is a little beast. Quiet and built to last.

running mine on

a 75

 

[theMeat]

skimmer won't get rid of phosphate, only some type of gfo like rowa phos or phosguard will do that. But a skimmer is a great tool that provides the extra benefit of oxygenating the water while it filters it.

Not sure what you mean. The skimmer takes out proteins/organics that would otherwise breakdown into nitrates and phosphates

 

[theMeat]

sump. redsea 250 g2. been looking at bubble magus, redsea and the octopus one lol
3 brands that ive noticed being most popular

Any one is a good choice. Imo reef octopus offers best bang for buck. Don’t make the mistake of Oversizing your skimmer. You will struggle with consistent collection and prone to collection cup overflows

 

[Pistondog]

Just to clarify, a skimmer will not remove phosphate dissolved in the water and bound to rocks. It will remove organics that would otherwise break down into phosphate, nitrates and other nutrients.

 

[reeftivo]

you both are right. Skimmers don't remove phosphate on their own but the uneaten food remnants and organic that can breakdown into phosphate. if you have a PO4 issue right now then Mr Mojo's suggestion is right on with the GFO suggestions. i run a couple bags of chemipure elite in my weir section before the return chamber since they have a bit of GFO in them and it helps when i feed my reef jerky daily.

 

[reeftivo]

Just to clarify, a skimmer will not remove phosphate dissolved in the water and bound to rocks. It will remove organics that would otherwise break down into phosphate, nitrates and other nutrients.

yep

inorganic phosphate won't stick to a bubble

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

yep

inorganic phosphate won't stick to a bubble

This is actually a very good point. A protein skimmer will only remove dissolved organics. An organic compound is one that has carbon molecules. Phosphate is inorganic, no carbon molecules, so a protein skimmer will not remove it. Having said that I can’t imagine not having a protein skimmer. I get such pleasure seeing all that gunk being skimmed out.

 

[areefer01]

Having said that I can’t imagine not having a protein skimmer.

There are some who do not run them. I recall Julian Sprung's display does not use one.

I get such pleasure seeing all that gunk being skimmed out.

In my case I enjoy the light smell as it reminds me of a day of scuba diving