Remora Pro vs Precision Marine Hot 1

[Moodster]

I am looking for a skimmer for a 60 gallon tank and would like to hear any opinions on which skimmer is better? Thanks for any help.

 

[Anonymous]

I have (and use) both, on different tanks. Actual performance between both models is very similiar, but each has their idiosyncracies.

HOT-1 pros: Great construction. Fairly unobtrusive in the tank. Flood proof when coupled with an auto waste collector.
HOT-1 cons: PITA to clean. The thumbscrews aren't bad, but the riser neck and body are always hard to seperate without removing the entire skimmer from the tank. Collection cup rides very high and is visible over many canopies.

Remora Pro pros: Attractive design. Very easy to clean. Requires virtually no adjustment, ever.
Remora Pro cons: Takes up a lot of room inside the tank, especially if you use the preskimmer box. Rather small collection cup.

Either skimmer will work quite well on a 60g. The only question is which ones individual foibles you prefer.

 

[bigtank]

The HOT-1 is cheaper at $160-175 vs. 200-230 for the Remora Pro.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

The HOT-1 from PM also has a true 24" tall reaction chamber with a 4" OD tubing, I also find it very easy to clean, and have found the RemoraPro a complete PITA. The RemoraPro also has a very small reaction chamber that is not even 1/4 the size of the HOT-1. 70% of the RemoraPro is basically a bubblebaffle that works ok at best. The HOT-1 also uses a very effective needlewheel design, thus allowing it to use a much smaller pump with an even greater flow-thru rate. Couple this with a very smooth spears ball valve to adjust water level and the fact that it is ready to use any of PM's auto waste collector is a real big bonus. I also have used both simultaneously and got rid of the RemoraPro after using both products for a bit to determine performance. I think if anything the prices for the products should be switched. Especially considering how poorly the AquaC product is built in comparison to the HOT-1. To adjust the RemoraPro's foam content one has to move the collection cup up or down and tighten a thumbscrew on the side to hold it in place, and its actually easy to strip and have already heard of a few incidents concerning that. I think the Remora series skimmer is overrated especially for the price paid, go with the HOT-1 and save some headaches.

 

[reefworm]

moodster,
I can't speak to the Remora unit, but I've been using a PM HOT 1 w/4" collector and nothing but good things to say about it. I don't disagree w/cjdevito, but maybe I just don't find cleaning it that problematic. Takes me around 10-15 mins. to break it down, clean it, and hook it back up. Skims beautifully, and adjusts easily. I operate mine in a sump, so the high profile cjdevito mentions isn't an issue in that application. I can see where it would be as a hang-on. HTH.

By the way, I replaced the Rio 800 that comes with it w/a MaxiJet 1200 w/venturi kit. Works just fine.

[ August 14, 2001: Message edited by: reefworm ]

 

[Moodster]

Thanks for the help everyone. Looks like I'm going with the Hot 1 and save a few bucks. Until the next purchase, adios!

 

[julieanne]

Boy this has been timely because I needed the same information. I did some shopping and found it at Atlantis for the cheapest price. If you find it somewhere else cheaper, please let us know, because I need one too. Thanks.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

Its $169 at www.marinedepot.com which includes free shipping.