Hang on Skimmer comments/recommendations

[jcm1229]

If I can ask your advice . . .

I'm looking for a hang on skimmer for my 37g reef. I had a bakpak originally, and was happy with it until I dropped it while cleaning it and it shattered. I replaced it with a remora pro, but was never happy with its performance although most folks have been happy with it. I've been running skimmerless for several months now, but decided I can't wait any longer. A LFS I talked to is pushing a Proclear aquatics skimmer saying that the round chambers etc ... will perform better than the square bakpak. Discussion forum comments aren't exactly positive on this one. I've researched the HOT1 as well, but am concerned about the flooding issues and I'm not sure it will fit between my tank and wall (I'm not going to move my tank.).

Can you chime in with your 2 cents worth?

Thanks!

 

[Ben1]

I would go with a turboflotor HOT model, HOT1 from PM or, a lifereef hang on model.

All three will do a great job.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I have a 37G Reef tank.... and I recommend the AquaC Remora hands down.. Its QUIET... NOT A LOT TO FIDDLE WITH.... WONT OVERFLOW... just a good choice.

I've had mine running solid for almost a year and it doest GREAT!
B.

 

[Ben1]

I replaced it with a remora pro, but was never happy with its performance although most folks have been happy with it. I've been running skimmerless for several months now

I feel the same way about aqua c

 

[Anonymous]

Remora pro maybe with the overflow.

What is in your tank - bio load?

 

[WRASSER]

I would also like to ask a question here, i have a Kent 300 gal protien skimmer on my 150. it's an in sump skimmer. I know i have to keep my sump level at a certain level to have it work the way it is suppose to.
the question is what will be a cost effective hang on to skim the surface water and asists my kent?

 

[Ben1]

He already had a remora pro.....read his post again. :lol:

WRASSER, If you have a sump you shouldnt have a surface scum on you tank water. The overflow should have teeth that pull surface water to the sump to be skimmed.

 

[Anonymous]

I read it - could of had a lemon. Aqua C is very good about customer care IME.

 

[WRASSER]

Ben there isnt any scum on the surface. i read that hang ons skim better on the surface much better than an in sump does. Also there is no level to maintain, i guess i was just wondering if you could use both, but i guess it would be an over-kill.

 

[reefmongrel]

I had a Aqua C remora - worked wonders - then upgraded to the Aqua C 180. Sold the Remora and got an email from the new owner - it is kickin it for him on a 55g as well.
GET the Maxijet 1200 pump w it.

Craig

 

[Ben1]

Maybe I am just an anti aqua-c guy cause I owned both an EV-120 after he remodeled it and a remora pro. Not impressed with either.

In anycase how can a skimmer just be a "lemon"? Even if the injector is clogged it has that little nylon screw you can take out and clean the injector.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know unless the plates in the throat could be off or the pump could be screwed. The cup might have never been placed correctly. The tank could be very clean or have low salinity. The tube from the pump to the skimmer could be to long. It does take these skimmers a while to break in but if it doesn't work it doesn't work.

 

[ChrisRD]

i read that hang ons skim better on the surface much better than an in sump does. Also there is no level to maintain

IMO, it's just the opposite...

IME, hang-on skimmers only pull from the surface well if you use a surface skimmer box with them. When using this setup, it's been my experience that maintaining the water level in the display tank becomes kinda critical. If the water level drops too much the skimmer pump will run dry, and if the water level is too high, the skimmer box doesn't really pull from the surface.

OTOH, as Ben pointed out, most in-sump skimmers are sitting in water that's being fed from an overflow box in the main tank (which is drawing from the surface). IME, if the skimmer is setup correctly, it shouldn't be too sensitive to the sump water level going up or down an inch or two. The in-sump models also tend to be much larger, more powerful units.

 

[WRASSER]

Prefect now i dont have to spend money i dont have, Thanks ChrisRD