BEST non-sump skimmer? Any cheap?

[MandarinFish]

I have a sump-less 55 gallon FOWLR that I need a skimmer for. I only have a darkfin hind in there, and will move a coral beauty in there soon too from my other tank.

I MUST keep it cheap. This hobby is breaking my back. I see used skimmers, but usually really bad brands.

Euroreef makes great, expensive sump skimmers.

Prizm was recommended once. Other ideas? Where to purchase?

 

[dattack]

Go with either the Precision Marine Hot-1 or the Aqua C-Remora. The prizm might be underskimming for your tank size.

 

[dattack]

Go to the reef.org marketplace. Looks like someone is selling a precision HOT-1 from his 55 gallon.

 

[MandarinFish]

Which one is the BEST?

Looks like I have to get one new with my tax return anyway, and they are relatively comparable in price.

No sump, so I need a skimmer to use directly in the tank.

Which do you recommend more? I am new to skimmers obviously so need something easy that skims thick and doesn't overflow with water....

 

[mconcann]

Tidewater plastics in Virginia Beach offers some really nice skimmers (marketed as EXCALIBUR). I don't know if this is available from distributors around you, but I believe they have a sister company in Colorado which may have better availability around you. They are a bit cheaper than the Bakpak 2R we sell at our store and only about 20 dollars more than the Prizm. The main drawback I have seen with the Prizm is how loud it is. It works, but it's loud. I'm perfectly happy with my Bak Pak 2R and Bak Pak 2(not so much my Sea Clone) but if I had to do it over again I would definitely buy an Excalibur. The difference in performance between an Excalibur and a BAKPAK2 is about the same as the margin between a Bakpak2 and a Seaclone. (When I switched from a SeaClone to a BakPak2, my collection cup filled in about ten minutes and kept skimming heavily for days after that.)

 

[oranje]

thus far, my remora pro has been wonderful. having a big, bulky pump in your tank isnt exactly an aesthetically pleasing addition, but the muck that mine sucks out sickens me. its that good!

they arent exactly cheap, but putting a good skimmer on my tank has reduced the work i need to put into it vastly.

 

[MandarinFish]

This site compares skimmers, with a (manufacturer's?) emphasis on the HOT-1:
Northcoast Marine

What's the cheapest place to get a HOT 1?

 

[PlanoReefer]

Check out the Remora, or Remora Pro at Premium Aquatics. It is a great HOB skimmer.

Remora Skimmers

Ryan

 

[Astreak]

I can't tell how much easier my life got 3 weeks ago, when I found a guy "up the road" selling his Remora Pro on ebay! I upgraded from a CPR bakpak on my 55 FOWLER. My nitrates have dropped. No more red slime, and the hair algae is going away too.

I spent $85 on the used equipment and it's saved me tons of time. I haven't even put the skimmer box on, as I'm very low tech, don't want to risk "running it dry."

 

[hippocrazy]

Go with a pm hot1.Ive got one on my 55g and it is a scum sucking machine.I got mine used but you can find them on the net new for about 169.00 try marinedepot.com